Using statistical analysis and laboratory testing to evaluate the effect of magnetized water on the stability of foaming agents and foam concrete

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2019-05, Vol.207, p.28-40
• Main Authors: Ghorbani, Saeid, Sharifi, Sohrab, de Brito, Jorge, Ghorbani, Sahar, Jalayer, Mahdi Ahmadi, Tavakkolizadeh, Mohmmadreza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Foam; Foam concrete; Foaming agent; Magnetized water; Stability; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Water
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.098

•Magnetized water had a positive effect on the stability of synthetic-based foams.•Magnetized water enhanced the stability of synthetic-based foam concrete specimens.•The flow speed of water passing through the magnetic field is an important factor.•Magnetized water improved the microstructure of the foam concrete specimens.•The magnetization procedure of water is a simple and low-cost procedure. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of magnetized water on the stability of foam agents (synthetic and protein-based) and foam concrete. Foam specimens were prepared at three volumetric ratios (1/40, 1/30 and 1/20) and three magnetized water flow speeds (0.75 m/s, 1.75 m/s, 2.75 m/s). Synthetic-based foam concrete specimens were prepared using foam at 1/30 volumetric ratio and the three water flow speeds stated above. The stability and microstructure of foam and foam concrete was studied experimentally and the results were analysed using statistical methods. They showed that synthetic-based foams displayed much higher overall stability than protein-based foams. Magnetic water had a positive effect on the stability of synthetic-based foams and a negative effect on the stability of protein-based foams. The study also revealed that magnetized water enhanced the stability of synthetic-based foam concrete compared to the reference mix.