Investigation of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC)

Abstract

Results of investigations of reactive powder concrete (RPC) are presented in the paper. Optimization of the concrete composition was performed to achieve the highest degree of grains packing based on the optimal graining curve according to Funk for dmax = 1000 μm and dmin = 0.1 μm. Cement, silica fume, quartz and sand powder were considered in the composition. Steel fibers addition of 25% by mass was applied. A very low water–to–binder ratio, amounting to 0.2, was reached applying novel generation of superplasticizers based on polycarboxylates. The RPC mixture remained fluid during 1 hour. The diameter of slump flow according to PN-EN standard amounted to 250 mm after 60 minutes. The hardened concrete RPC displayed high strength and durability. Compressive strength reached 145 MPa after 2 days and about 200 MPa after 28 days; the bending strength exceeded 50 MPa after 28 days. After 56 freezing/defrosting cycles in the deicing salt solution, the concrete has shown minimal salt scaling of only 0.0007 kg/m2. Therefore, frost resistance of the concrete studied can be rated as very good according to PN-EN standard. The SEM pictures proved the amorphous phase of hydrated calcium silicates (C-S-H) is the dominant phase within the RPC microstructure. Usually, the C-S-H phase tightly covers the quartz grains and is in close contact with the unreacted cement grains. Crystallites of the monosulphate (AFm) were also found. The concrete microstructure was compact; pores of a few micrometers were rarely observed. The RPC porosity was measured using the mercury porosimetry. Porosity reduction by almost twice (from 10.9% down to 4.4%) was found after the RPC curing from 2 to 28 days. In the same period, a fraction of small mezopores (diameter below 20 nm) increased from 39.8% to 77.1%. Based on the research results data, presented the RPC concrete can be regarded as an interesting alternative to other construction materials of enhanced explosion resistance. Key words: Reactive Powder Concrete, strength, durability, explosion resistance