Strength characteristics of concrete by utilization of metakaolin and steel fibres as partial substitute to binding material

Abstract

Cement has an unresolved problem of increased utilization of raw materials and energy consumption and also carbon dioxide emission during its production. Metakaolin is utilized as partial substitute to cement. It utilizes lime on hydration and causes an increase in the production of cementitious compounds leading to improved strength. The principal intention of this research activity is to find out the fresh (workability) and hardened properties (compressive, split tensile and flexure) of concrete by using metakaolin at varying percentages from 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of cement and again by incorporating various types of steel fibers in the limit of 2%, 2.5%, 3% and 3.5%. Concrete specimens were cast for a M40 grade of concrete. Cube specimens (150 × 150 × 150 mm), cylindrical specimens (300 × 150 mm) and prism specimens (100 × 100 × 500 mm) were tested and evaluated for strengths in direct compression, tension and bending for 7 and 28 days of curing span. The outcomes were compared with normal mix. The results have shown that the increase in compressive, tensile and flexure were 20.29%, 16.13% and 14.4% respectively.