Investigation the Quality of the Treatment Sand from Sulfite using Magnetic Water in Reactive Powder Concrete

Abstract

In this study, the effect of using magnetized water in fine aggregate treatment has been investigated. Three mixtures of reactive powder concrete (RPC) were prepared and caste within two molds so that the compressive and flexure strength can be tested when the samples are cured by ordinary, autogenous, warm water and high-temperature cycles curing procedure. All of the three mixtures consisted of the same primary material; the difference was in the sulfite content of the fine aggregate, where the intended sand samples have diverse sulfite content. The first mixture’s sulfite content was limited within the Iraqi specifications No.45/1984, and it was equal to 0.13%, the second mix contained sand with high sulfite content of 3.54%, and in the third; the latter sand was washed with magnetizing water before mixing. The test results pointed out a severe decrease in RPC properties when the high sulfite sand was used by taking the low sulfite content mixture as a reference mix. A decrease was recorded in the compressive strength by 8.6% and 16.8% when the samples were tested at the age of 28-days and 90-days, respectively, and cured with ordinary curing procedures. Similarly, the flexure strength decreases by 7.1% and 13.5% when the samples are tested at the age of 28-days and 90-days, respectively, and cured with an ordinary curing procedure. This decrease in RPC strength could be recovered, as the third mixture’s test results indicate; when the sand was treated with magnetized water before mixing, and the sulfite content was reduced down to (0.274%) accordingly.