Petrographic and Physical-Mechanical Investigation of Natural Aggregates for Concrete Mixtures.

Chiara Telloli,Alessandra Aprile,Elena Marrocchino

doi:10.3390/ma14195763

Abstract

The availability of different lithology with which concrete can be packaged could create substantial questions on the differences that they can provide to the same mixture. Different kinds of aggregates were analyzed individually to investigate their main characteristics, which allowed us to package five types of concrete mixtures. These five mixtures were compared to each other through compressive strength values. Furthermore, it was considered microscopically what possible differences could exist between these different mixtures, for example, differences in the cement/aggregate reaction. The chemical characterization of the aggregates, used as the skeleton of the cement mixes, was proposed as an important investigative phase in order to better understand the differences in the geotechnical and physical-mechanical characteristics and to verify the presence of any harmful phases for the durability of the concrete.

Highlights

The development of society has led to a continuous improvement of the construction techniques to create voluminous buildings [1,2]
The calcareous aggregates came from the processing and selection of Quaternary alluvial conglomerate gravels deposited in the Veneto–Friuli plain by fluvioglacial landform currents originating from the melting of the Piave Glacier (Würm) [29]
A mixture of only a coarse aggregate would be difficult to work because the lack of fine particles inhibits the flow of an inert material on the other; in addition, a mixture without internal adhesion and inconsistent and disintegrated would be created

Summary

Introduction

The development of society has led to a continuous improvement of the construction techniques to create voluminous buildings [1,2]. Concrete is certainly one of the most important building materials in the modern era [3,4]. The use of binders and similar materials characterized the history of man’s settlements, but only with Romans concrete was used as a modern connotation [5,6]. Concrete indicates a conglomerate formed by cement, aggregates (gravel or crushed stone, sand) and water which, hardening, gives rise to a real artificial stone [9]. The addition of artificial and natural fibers or additives to improve its mechanical and workability characteristics is fundamental [10,11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion