Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive review

This review critically examines the emerging role of pumice as both a lightweight aggregate and a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in sustainable concrete technologies. Characterized by its high amorphous silica content and porous morphology, pumice exhibits intrinsic pozzolanic reactivity...

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Main Author: Karan Moolchandani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Next Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822825001649
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author Karan Moolchandani
author_facet Karan Moolchandani
author_sort Karan Moolchandani
collection DOAJ
description This review critically examines the emerging role of pumice as both a lightweight aggregate and a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in sustainable concrete technologies. Characterized by its high amorphous silica content and porous morphology, pumice exhibits intrinsic pozzolanic reactivity and internal curing potential—enabling enhanced long-term performance across structural and non-structural applications. Experimental findings indicate that cement replacement with pumice up to 25 % can improve late-age compressive strength by 6–11 %, while reducing chloride permeability by 22–35 % and improving sulfate resistance by up to 28 %. When used as an aggregate, pumice reduces autogenous shrinkage by as much as 75 %, and in thermal applications, pumice–PCM systems lower thermal conductivity by 30–56 % and reduce surface temperatures by up to 42 %. Despite these advantages, early-age strength limitations, workability loss, and freeze–thaw vulnerability remain key challenges. The review synthesizes insights from over 60 recent studies, benchmarking pumice performance against fly ash, slag, and alkali-activated systems. It further identifies gaps in calorimetric analysis, ITZ evolution, and application-specific design protocols. Overall, pumice presents a viable, low-carbon material solution for next-generation concrete aligned with circular economy and climate resilience objectives.
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spelling doaj-art-b834fd2e5590486c86ec5143b4604f1d2025-08-20T02:17:40ZengElsevierNext Materials2949-82282025-07-01810064610.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100646Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive reviewKaran Moolchandani0Civil Engineering Department, Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh 160012, IndiaThis review critically examines the emerging role of pumice as both a lightweight aggregate and a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in sustainable concrete technologies. Characterized by its high amorphous silica content and porous morphology, pumice exhibits intrinsic pozzolanic reactivity and internal curing potential—enabling enhanced long-term performance across structural and non-structural applications. Experimental findings indicate that cement replacement with pumice up to 25 % can improve late-age compressive strength by 6–11 %, while reducing chloride permeability by 22–35 % and improving sulfate resistance by up to 28 %. When used as an aggregate, pumice reduces autogenous shrinkage by as much as 75 %, and in thermal applications, pumice–PCM systems lower thermal conductivity by 30–56 % and reduce surface temperatures by up to 42 %. Despite these advantages, early-age strength limitations, workability loss, and freeze–thaw vulnerability remain key challenges. The review synthesizes insights from over 60 recent studies, benchmarking pumice performance against fly ash, slag, and alkali-activated systems. It further identifies gaps in calorimetric analysis, ITZ evolution, and application-specific design protocols. Overall, pumice presents a viable, low-carbon material solution for next-generation concrete aligned with circular economy and climate resilience objectives.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822825001649PumiceLightweight concreteSupplementary cementitious materialsSustainable construction
spellingShingle Karan Moolchandani
Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive review
Next Materials
Pumice
Lightweight concrete
Supplementary cementitious materials
Sustainable construction
title Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive review
title_full Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive review
title_fullStr Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive review
title_full_unstemmed Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive review
title_short Advancements in pumice-based concrete: A comprehensive review
title_sort advancements in pumice based concrete a comprehensive review
topic Pumice
Lightweight concrete
Supplementary cementitious materials
Sustainable construction
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822825001649
work_keys_str_mv AT karanmoolchandani advancementsinpumicebasedconcreteacomprehensivereview