Effect of perlite powder and silica fume on the compressive strength and microstructural characterization of self-compacting concrete with lime-cement binder

Abstract

This study evaluated the short and long term mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with a lime-cement binder, silica fume (SF), perlite powder (PP), and silica fume-perlite powder mixture (SF-PP) as additives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different amounts of additives on the fresh and mechanical properties of SCC. Also in this research cement-lime binder was replaced by SF, PP, and SF-PP at 0%, 5%, 10% 15%, and 20%, respectively. The optimum percentage was 17% for SF, 6% for PP and 6% for SF-PP on 28th and 90th days to obtain maximum compressive strength. The results showed that water absorption, dry density, of the 28-days compressive strength increased with an increase in silica fume (SF) content. The contents of PP and SF-PP replacement also influenced the resulting SCC, but the latter had a better effect on the concrete. The highest compressive strength of SCC was observed at 17%, 6%, and 6% for SF, PP and SF-PP, respectively (on days 90). When 10% lime powder was added instead of cement, the optimum usage of SF dropped to below 20%. The optimum usage of SF for normal concrete is above 20%.