Effect of silica fume content in concrete blocks on laser-induced explosive spalling behavior

Abstract

This experimental study investigated the effect of silica fume mixed in concrete blocks on laser-induced explosion behavior. We used a 5.3 kW fiber laser as a thermal source to induce explosive spalling on a concrete surface blended with and without silica fume. An analytical approach based on the difference in the removal rate and thermal behavior was used to determine the effect of silica fume on laser-induced explosive spalling. A scanner was employed to calculate the laser-scabbled volume of the concrete surface to derive the removal rate. The removal rate of the concrete mixed with silica fume was higher than that of without silica fume. Thermal images acquired during scabbling were used to qualitatively analyze the thermal response of laser-induced explosive spalling on the concrete surface. At the early stage of laser heating, an uneven spatial distribution of surface temperature appeared on the concrete blended with silica fume because of frequent explosive spalling within a small area. By contrast, the spalling frequency was relatively lower in laser-heated concrete without silica fume. Furthermore, we observed that a larger area was removed via a single explosive spalling event owing to its high porosity.