Study on the effect of granite powder on concrete properties

Abstract

An experimental study on high-performance concrete made with granite powder as fine aggregate and partial replacement of cement with admixtures subjected to water curing was carried out. The percentage of granite powder added by weight was 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% as a replacement of the sand used in concrete and cement was partially replaced with 7·5% silica fume, 10% fly ash, 10% slag and 1% superplasticiser. The water-to-binder (w/b) ratio was 0·40. The effects of curing water temperature at 26 and 32°C for 1, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days on the compressive strength, split tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, drying shrinkage, hydration and water penetration of concrete were studied. The test results showed clearly that granite powder of marginal quantity, used as partial sand replacement, has beneficial effects on the compressive strength and split tensile strength, modulus of elasticity. The highest compressive strength was achieved in samples containing 25% granite powder. The overall performance revealed that granite powder can be utilised as a partial replacement of natural sand in high-performance concrete.