Effects of Kortta fibres and microsilica on the mechanical properties of lightweight concrete in oil product environments

Abstract

Crude oil and its products are strategic and vital goods for most countries in the world. It is necessary to store these products in the production and transfer chain and send them to refineries, ports, and airports for military and national purposes. Lightweight concrete is propounded as a useful replacement for normal concrete due to its low specific weight and acceptable resistance property; however, compared to normal concrete, it is considered to be more permeable, less durable, and less resistant. Therefore, in this study, the reliability of this synthetic material in oil conditions has been investigated. In this regard, two groups of samples were investigated under normal and oil environmental conditions, polymer Kortta fibres with percentages of 0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; and 2,0 % and microsilica with percentages of 0 and 15 % by cement weight were incorporated alone and combined. Subsequently, tests were performed on the specimens after 90 days. The results showed that the combination of microsilica and Kortta fibres causes a significant increase in lightweight concrete strength and impermeability.