Abstract:
The construction of different infrastructures like buildings, bridges, roadways, Dam, irrigation and railways is increasing from time to time in Ethiopia construction industry. To fulfill this construction demand, a large amount of concrete is required. Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, coarse aggregate, water, and different additives. In this study, the capability of Pumice as a partial substitute for fine aggregate in C-20 concrete production with 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% replacement of sand by Pumice (PU) and Examines, Physical property of pumice, Water absorption, slump, compressive strength, Sulfate Attack and density of concrete tests are done with 0% 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and, 30% fine aggregate replacement with pumice. The physical properties of pumice demonstrate its potential as an effective aggregate in concrete applications. Its lightweight nature, favorable specific gravity, balanced fines modulus, moisture retention capabilities, and low silt content collectively contribute to improved workability and sustainability in concrete production. As Ethiopia continues to expand its infrastructure projects, incorporating pumice could enhance both the performance and environmental sustainability of construction materials. Both initial and final setting time rang increased as the PU replacement amount increased from PU0% to PU 30%. The workability of Pumice concrete become Increase From 87mm to 92mm with Pumice content increase from PU0% to PU30%, Concrete containing 0% of PU replacement shows better compressive strength than 5% of PU by 3.54%, 3.78%, and 7.8% at 7th,14th and 28th day respectively, with the conventional concrete but the density decreases and increased susceptibility sulfate attack with an increase of the Pumice content.
Key words: pumice, Sand, Compressive strength, water absorption, Sulfate Attack specific gravity, Slump,