Experimental study of the effect of water to cement ratio on mechanical and durability properties of Nano-silica concretes with Polypropylene fibers

Abstract

In the present paper, the effect of Nano silica on mechanical properties and durability of concrete containing polypropylene fibers has been investigated. Here, the length and length to diameter ratio of used polypropylene fibers were considered to be fixed and equal to 18 mm and 600 respectively and the cement content was 479 kg/m3. The effect of fibers and Nano silica in four different percentages at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 percent by volume for fibers and 3 percent for Nano silica in concrete with water to cement ratio of 0.33, 0.36, 0.4, 0.44 and 0.5 have been compared and evaluated. In total, more than 425 cubic and cylindrical specimens were made according to ASTM standards. Finally, samples of polypropylene fiber containing Nano-silica were tested under compressive loads, flexural strength, indirect tensile strength (Brazilian test), abrasion resistance, permeability and porosity and their mechanical properties were evaluated. The test results showed a significant increase in mechanical properties improvement and durability of concrete. Compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and abrasion resistance (of concrete) increased up to 55%, 25%, 49%, and 45% respectively. Also, considerable reduction of hydraulic conductivity coefficient to 50% indicates high durability of these types of concrete.