Superplasticizer Research Articles

The Impact of castoff aggregate on the fresh and mechanical behaviour of high-range water reducer administered self-compacting concrete

Self-Compacting Concrete has excellent flowing properties and it can integrate under its self-weight. The construction-demolition waste produced with the crinkling of any building could be used as a partial substitute for coarse aggregate in self-compacting concrete. The present study involves the comparison of fresh and hardened properties of M35 grade SCC with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% substitution of recycled coarse aggregate. Fresh properties of recycled aggregate incorporated self-compacting concrete include the evaluation of slump, L-box and V-Funnel. Hardened properties are calculated by destructive and non-destructive methods. With the results, the optimum percentage of substitution of RCA is proposed from the study.

Study on strength properties of concrete by partial replacement of cement with sugarcane bagasse ash and coarse aggregate with coconut shells

At this time, researchers from all corners of the world are focusing their attention on developing strategies that may make use of waste products from either industrial or agricultural operations as a supply of raw materials for the construction sector. The production of these wastes may have originated in either the industrial or agricultural sectors. The majority of researchers are working toward the goal of producing high-strength concrete by continuing to increase the compressive strength of concrete through the use of a variety of techniques, such as the incorporation of fibre reinforcement into the concrete mixture and the addition of specific admixtures, which may include super plasticizers. This will allow for the production of concrete with a greater capacity to withstand loads. The majority of researchers are concentrating their efforts on developing more cost-effective strategies for increasing the strength of concrete by incorporating philosophical considerations into the design process and making use of contemporary techniques. This is due to the fact that the expense of these methods cannot be weighed against the benefits that they provide. Ash from sugarcane bagasse and broken coconut shells may be used as a substitute for fine aggregate and coarse aggregate, respectively, as one such approach that may be used. During the process of refining sugar, a variety of fibrous waste products are produced, in addition to ethanol vapour. One of these waste products is bagasse, which originates from sugar cane. Ash produced from bagasse mostly consists of aluminium ions and silica in its composition. The viability of using ash derived from sugarcane bagasse as a partial replacement for fine aggregate and coconut shells as a source of coarse material was investigated through a series of controlled laboratory experiments. The experiments were carried out in order to start investigating the viability of using ash derived from sugarcane bagasse.

Hypo Sludge and Steel Fiber as Partially Replacement of Cement and Sand in Concrete by Adding Superplasticizer: An Experimental Study

Abstract: Based on laboratory experiments to identify mechanical parameters including compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength carried out after 7 days and 28 days of curing, conclusions were drawn. Utilizing pertinent Indian Standards, experiments and concrete mix design were carried out. The findings show that up to a certain point, adding both HS and SF increases the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of concrete at all curing ages. The ideal ratio of 20% HS, 2% steel fibre, and 800 ml of super plasticizer to give concrete optimal strength and workability as well as an initial and final setting is 20% HS, 2% steel fibre, and concrete. At 7 and 28 days, compressive strength has been obtained 24.78 N/mm2 and 43.72 N/mm2. After seven and twenty-eight days, the split tensile strength is 7.66 N/mm2 and 5.87 N/mm2, respectively, while the flexural strength is 2.94 N/mm2 and 3.85 N/mm2. HS and SF mixed concrete is 6.51 percent less expensive than regular concrete.

Effect of lightweight sand and shrinkage reducing admixture on structural build-up and mechanical performance of UHPC

Pre-saturated lightweight sand (LWS) and shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) can be used to mitigate autogenous shrinkage of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). However, their individual and synergetic effects on structural build-up that is essential for thin bonded bridge deck overlay rehabilitation and 3D printing have not been well understood. This study investigates the impact of LWS and SRA on structural build-up of UHPC with mini-slump flow of 190 ± 10 mm. Furthermore, the cement hydration, autogenous shrinkage, mechanical performance, and porosity of UHPC prepared with LWS and SRA were studied. Test results show that the structural build-up enhanced from 90 to 138 Pa/min with the increase of the LWS content from 0 to 25% given the lower surface coverage ratio of high-range water reducer onto cement particles. The incorporation of 2% SRA led to the lowest structural build-up of 64 Pa/min due to the lower bridging effect of early-age hydration products. The LWS17&SRA1 mixture exhibited higher structural build-up of 105 Pa/min, lower autogenous shrinkage of 340 με, as well as comparable compressive strength, elastic modulus, and flexural strength of 139 MPa, 48 GPa, and 19 MPa compared to the Reference mixture prepared without any LWS and SRA that had the corresponding values of 90 Pa/min, 535 με, 142 MPa, 50 GPa and 19 MPa, respectively. The comparable mechanical performance was due to the increased effect of LWS on cement hydration and pozzolanic reaction of silica fume counteracted the reduced influence of SRA.

Influence of polycarboxylate superplasticizer and calcium sulfoaluminate cement on the rheology, hydration kinetics, and porosity of Portland cement pastes

Binary systems composed of Portland cement (PC) and calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement have stood out for applications requiring high early strengths. Nevertheless, the application of these systems may be limited due to their properties in the fresh state, which requires a better understanding of the rheological behavior of these materials. Thus, this study evaluated the incorporation of different polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer (SP) contents (0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 wt%) on PC and PC-CSA binary cement pastes. Rotational rheometry, isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nitrogen adsorption and desorption tests to assess the pore size distribution of cement pastes were conducted. While the SP incorporation reduced the dynamic yield stress of PC pastes, it progressively increased the yield stress of PC-CSA systems. The increase in SP content increased the main heat flow peak of PC-CSA pastes, although it did not significantly affect the cumulative heat after 160 h of hydration. FTIR and XRD confirm higher ettringite contents in the binary systems and indicate the presence of carboaluminates phases after 7 d of hydration in both PC and PC-CSA and hemicarboaluminate in PC-CSA pastes. The CSA incorporation reduced the cumulative pore volume by up to 32% compared to PC pastes, while the SP content evaluated did not significantly affect the porosity of PC-CSA pastes.

Comparative study on net-zero masonry walls made of clay and fly ash bricks and grouts/mortars/stuccos with the effect of super fine fly ash blended cement—low carbon cement

Abstract In the construction sector, cement plays a vital role in all the members and components in which it acts as a binder and strength-dependent material. The production of cement material emits a large quantity of CO2 gas, which has been the main cause of global warming and other environmental and health issues. To overcome this issue, low carbon or net-zero cement production and utilization is a necessity, which equally satisfies the binder ability of conventional ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The fly ash from thermal power stations that is deposited in the yard is the most frequently used replacement material for cement. Due to its excellent pozzolanic properties, this fly ash can be utilized in place of binding materials in the building industry to achieve carbon neutrality. In this investigation, fly ash is used to prepare net-zero mortars in place of a significant amount of cement. Fly ash is utilized both in its natural form and after being ground into tiny particles for increased reactivity and effectiveness. The test for compressive strength allows for a detailed examination of the mechanical properties by altering the ratio of water to cement with and without the use of super plasticizer (SP). The best mortar is fine F fly ash (FFFA), which is made using a water-to-cement ratio of 0.4 + 1% SP. To validate the outcomes of this investigation, a characterization study of the improved mortars was examined.

Machine Learning Modelling for Compressive Strength Prediction of Superplasticizer-Based Concrete

Superplasticizers (SPs), also known as naturally high-water reducers, are substances used to create high-strength concrete. Due to the system’s complexity, predicting concrete’s compressive strength can be difficult. In this study, a prediction model for the compressive strength with SP was developed to handle the high-dimensional complex non-linear relationship between the mixing design of SP and the compressive strength of concrete. After performing a statistical analysis of the dataset, a correlation analysis was performed and then 16 supervised machine learning regression techniques were used. Finally, by using the Extra Trees method and creating the SP variable values, it was shown that the compressive strength values of concrete increased with the addition of SP in the optimal dose. The results indicate that superplasticizers can often reduce the water content of concrete by 25 to 35 per cent and consequently resistivity increased by 50 to 75 per cent and the optimum amount of superplasticizers was up to 12 kg per cubic meter as well. From one point, the increase in superplasticizers does not lead to a rise in the concrete compressive strength, and it remains constant. According to the findings, SP additive has the most impact on concrete’s compressive strength after cement. Given the scant information now available on concrete-including superplasticizer, it is prudent to design a concrete mixing plan for future studies. It is also conceivable to investigate how concrete’s compressive strength is impacted by water reduction.

Utilization of hybrid fibers in different types of concrete and their activity

Abstract In this work, the influence of using hybrid fibers on the mechanical properties of two types of concrete: high-strength concrete (HSC) and lightweight concrete (LWC) was studied. Using hybrid fibers instead of using only one type reduced the negative effect on concrete mechanical performance. The glass fiber (GF) and polypropylene fiber (PPF) were used in different contents ranged from 0.2 to 1% as weight % of binder content. Moreover, combinations of both fibers “GF + PPF” were used in contents % of “0.3 + 0.5%,” “0.5 + 0.5%,” “0.3 + 1%,” and “0.5 + 1%.” LWC mixes were prepared by replacing 40% of the coarse aggregate of reference mix with volcanic material (pumice) as a volumetric replacing. To produce HSC, the water-to-cement ratio was reduced to 0.3, 10% silica fume was added, and 1% super plasticizer was used to obtain the consistency. Compressive strength, splitting strength, and flexural strength tests were carried out. The results showed that using 0.7% GF displayed the highest increases in compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength of HSC and LWC mixes. Furthermore, GF exhibited better performance and higher values in compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength tests in comparison with PPF. The optimum hybrid fiber content displaying the highest increment of all tested properties in both concrete types, HSC and LWC, was “0.5% GF + 0.5% PPF.”

Radiolysis effect on Eu(III)-superplasticiser interactions in artificial cement and squeezed cement pore waters.

In the framework of the French deep geological repository for radioactive waste, cement-based materials are envisaged to immobilize radionuclides and/or provide protection from radiation to the environment. Superplasticisers (SPs) are added to these materials to increase their workability. SPs will undergo degradation by coupled radiolytic and hydrolytic effects in the pore solution leading to the formation of potentially complexing degradation products. The objective was to study the potential effect of radiolyzed superplasticizers contained in cement-based materials on radionuclide uptake. The Eu speciation and solubility with organic ligands resulting from the degradation of SPs were studied for the two solutions and the results were compared. Two different SPs were selected, a polycarboxylate ether and a polynapthalene sulfonate. Two different protocols were followed: direct irradiation of the solution containing the superplasticizer, and irradiation of the compacted cement sample followed by extraction of the pore water. Solubility enhancements observed in artificial cement waters are not representative of real cement pore water interactions, in agreement with other studies. Finally, the effects of alkaline hydrolysis and radiolysis of SPs on Eu solubility in pore water are limited.

Experimental Study on Behavior of Pervious Concrete in Strength and Permeability by Changing Different Parameters

Abstract: A type of concrete with a high void or porosity that allows water to penetrate through it is called pervious concrete. Pervious concrete behavior was examined using various sizes of aggregate (20mm and 10mm), weight/concentration ratios (0.34 & 0.28), super plasticizers (Aura mix 400 & Conplast SP 430) and different percentages of fiber (i.e. 1% & 2%). Compressive strength, flexural strength, permeability test criteria were used to describe the similarity. The results show that decreasing the w/c ratio from 0.34 to 0.28 results in a moderate increase in strength and super plasticizer (Conplast SP 430) provides good strength. The addition of fiber, at 1% by weight of cement, significantly increased strength. However, porosity was the most important factor in calculating the efficiency of porous concrete, which was affected by the addition of a certain percentage of fiber. The findings of this study provided useful information about the effectiveness of w/c ratio, super plasticizer and fiber in achieving the optimal strength, drain ability balance suitable for various urban uses.

Fresh and mechanical characterization of fly ash/slag by incorporating steel fiber in self-compacted geopolymer concrete

Industrial waste management and CO2 eradication are major environmental issues. For every ton of production of OPC, one ton of carbon dioxide is produced. Creating sustainable concrete from industrial waste is vital. Geopolymer makes sustainable concrete since its binder is fly ash, not cement. This research examines the effects of steel fibers and fluid-to-binder ratio on self-compacted geopolymer concrete. The experimental investigation used steel fibers volume fractions of 0%, 0.5%, and 1% (by concrete volume) and fluid to binder ratios of 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8. When creating the alkaline activator, the ratio of Na2SiO3 to NaOH is taken as 3. Self-compacted geopolymer concrete requires a high dose of super plasticizer (6% to 7%), however this research obtained the same characteristic with just 2% super plasticizer by binder weight. Flowability, filing ability, and passing ability are used to evaluate fresh state properties, whereas compressive and split tensile tests are used to assess hardened state properties. As steel fibers content grows from 0% to 1.0%, concrete workability diminishes. After 0.5% steel fibers, compressive strength stabilizes. Increasing steel fibers dosage from 0% to 0.5% and from 0.5% to 1.0% increases tensile strength because of the steel fibers interlocking with one another. Workability is improved by increasing the alkaline solution to fly ash ratio, but compressive and tensile strength are reduced. This is due to the fact that when alkaline solution to fly ash ratio increases, concentration of fly ash decreases as the volume of alkaline solution and liquid increases. The tendency of bleeding and segregation occur at an “alkaline solution to fly ash ratio” 0.8, resulting in very low mechanical strength; however. A balance is observed in workability and mechanical property at alkaline solution to fly ash ratio of 0.6 and 0.7 for SCFRGPC.

Dispersing Efficacy of Tailored IPEG PCEs in AAS Binders: Elucidating the Impact of PCE Molecular Weight

In this study, the impact of the molecular weight of isoprenol ether-based (IPEG) polycarboxylate superplasticizers on the dispersing effectiveness in sodium hydroxide-activated slag binder and slag composite cement was investigated. For this purpose, a series of IPEG polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers possessing the same anionicity and the same side chain length but varying molecular weights (13,000–400,000 Da) were prepared. The synthesized PCE polymers were then subjected to application-related tests. It was found that their dispersing capacity in the AAS binder differed significantly and that IPEG PCE polymers possessing higher molecular weight generally were more effective. Surprisingly, it was also noticed that in the slag composite cement (90% slag, 10% OPC), generally, higher doses of the PCEs were required than in the OPC-free AAS binder system. Moreover, the working mechanism behind the enhanced dispersing ability of high Mw IPEG PCEs was studied via adsorption and adsorbed layer thickness (ALT) measurements. To determine the ALT of the adsorbed PCE polymers, phosphate-modified polystyrene nanoparticles were selected as a model substrate. Results from dynamic light scattering revealed that high Mw PCEs produce thicker adsorbed layers, which highly benefits the dispersing power of the PCE polymers stemming from enhanced steric hindrance. Finally, different models for the adsorbed conformations of those IPEG PCEs are proposed based on their individual molecular characteristics.

Engineering Properties of Green and Ecofriendly Grouting Materials with Different Sand Filling Ratios.

With the active development of offshore wind power worldwide, the development of a green and ecofriendly grouting material (GEGM) has garnered global attention. Such a material must also be developed in Taiwan. Therefore, in this study, a series of environmentally friendly recycled materials were mixed in different proportions to develop a GEGM which can be implemented in the future construction of offshore wind turbines. To evaluate the mechanical properties of the GEGM, low water-to-binder (W/B) ratios (i.e., 0.21, 0.27, and 0.35) were used; cement was replaced with fixed amounts (20%) of ground granulated blast-furnace slag and fly ash; 2%, 2.5%, and 3% superplasticizers (SPs) were added; and two levels of sand content (60% and 70%) were used. The setting time of the GEGM was used to evaluate its workability; its compressive strength and flexural strength were used to evaluate its mechanical properties; and its sulfate resistance, length changes, and four-terminal resistance were used to evaluate its durability. The relationship between the durability and drying shrinkage of the GEGM was subsequently evaluated, and the ratio of final to initial setting times (F/I value) was calculated to determine the effects of the amount of SP added on workability. The highest F/I value (7.7) was achieved when 2 wt.% modified lignin sulfonate (MLS) was added because of the high viscosity of MLS, which compromised the workability of the concrete. The optimal compressive strength (83.62 MPa) was achieved when a W/B ratio of 0.21 was used, when the sand content was 70%, and when a 2% polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) was added, whereas the optimal flexural strength (20.86 MPa) was achieved when 2.5% PCE was added. According to the nondestructive test results and the R2 value (>0.7) obtained from regression analyses of mechanical properties, the study results are reliable and may serve as a reference for future construction projects.

Super plasticizer assisted bath ultra sonication for dispersion of multi walled carbon nanotubes in cement composites

This paper presents the observations and findings from an experimental study for dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by bath ultra-sonication in the presence of polycarboxylate ether (PCE) based superplasticizer. Commercial brand of superplasticizer (SP) compatible with cement was adopted for exploring its usage as surfactant during aqueous dispersion of MWCNTs. Cement composite pastes were evaluated for variation in compressive strength and fresh property for a fixed addition percentage of MWCNT. Aqueous dispersion of MWCNTs for incorporation to cement pastes was prepared considering three different sonication process variables; time period of sonication, SP to MWCNT dosage during sonication and temperature of sonication medium. A total of 168 experimental variations were evaluated for compressive strength of resulting cement–carbon nanotubes composite pastes at 7 days age to arrive at an optimal process of bath ultra-sonication with governing variables. Results showed that a sonication time period in the range of 4–5 hours with an SP to MWCNT ratio of 2.5–3 was necessary for satisfactory dispersion of MWCNTs over different temperature ranges of sonication bath medium. Further, the temperature of sonication medium in the range of 35–40°C during aqueous dispersion of MWCNTs was observed to induce noticeable enhancement in strength of composite system indicating improvement in dispersion within an optimal range of sonication medium temperature. Microscopic observations for optimal process variables of dispersion during bath ultra sonication showed evidence of physical changes in MWCNTs from an agglomerated state of particles to separated state.

Sonicação de superplastificante à base de policarboxilato para aplicação em matrizes cimentícias

Abstract Sonication is widely used for nanomaterials dispersion in cementitious matrices. Polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer (SP) admixtures are usually incorporated in the aqueous nanomaterials suspension before sonication to improve the dispersion of these materials. Nevertheless, the effect of sonicating SP on its molecular structure or dispersing performance has not been fully investigated. This work assessed the effect of sonicating a commercial SP at 20 kHz, 750 W power, 50 or 80% amplitude, during 15 and 30 min. Initially, the sonication effect was evaluated in aqueous suspension by determining the SP size distribution (through dynamic light scattering – DLS) and zeta potential. Subsequently, the aqueous SP suspensions were used for Portland cement paste production. Rheological tests up to 120 minutes and compressive strength at 14 and 28 days were conducted. DLS and zeta potential results suggested that sonication reduce the size of SP chains. As a result, SP sonication increased the initial dynamic yield stress, viscosity, and hysteresis area of cement pastes. In contrast, SP sonication improved its time-dependent dispersing performance, resulting in pastes with reduced viscosity from 80 minutes onwards. Finally, SP sonication did not affect the compressive strength of cement pastes at 14 and 28 days of hydration. Overall, when SP is sonicated together with nanoparticles for application in cementitious matrices, the effect of sonicating the chemical admixture must be considered when the fresh-state properties of the composite are evaluated.

Hormigón verde de alta resistencia con cenizas volantes de carbón

El uso de cenizas volantes en el hormigón puede disminuir la carga de su vertido en vertederos para proteger el medio ambiente y la degradación del suelo. Investigamos las mezclas de hormigón que incorporan varios porcentajes de cenizas volantes y estudiamos las propiedades mecánicas del hormigón verde de alta resistencia (HSG). Se utilizó una relación a/c de 0,32. Se investigaron seis mezclas con porcentajes variables de cenizas volantes (0 %, 4 %, 8 %, 12 %, 16 %, 20 %) con rangos de HRWR (reductor de agua de alto rango) (0 %, 0,4 %, 0,7 %, 1,0 % , 1,3%, 1,6%). La resistencia a la compresión de la mezcla con una dosificación de cenizas volantes del 4 al 12%, mostró resultados satisfactorios. El valor máximo de la resistencia a la tracción dividida fue de 4,9 MPa con una dosis de cenizas volantes del 12 %. La resistencia a la flexión en la mezcla de control se observó a 3,73 MPa en 28 días y hubo un ligero aumento en la tendencia de la resistencia a la flexión. La resistencia a la compresión se logró hasta el 12% del volumen de cenizas volantes durante 14 y 28 días. Se debió a una mayor adherencia entre la ceniza volante y el agregado. Las cenizas volantes son muy adecuadas para usarse en la produción de Hormigón verde de alta resistencia (HSG). Si usamos cenizas volantes en el hormigón, nos puede ayudar a limpiar el medio ambiente de materiales contaminantes.

Mechanical properties of engineered cementitious composite using polyvinyl alcohol fibers

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) is an advanced construction material that combines cement, fine aggregates, and specially designed fibers to create a highly ductile and durable building material. ECC is renowned for its exceptional tensile strain capacity, allowing it to undergo significant deformation while retaining its structural integrity. This characteristic makes ECC particularly suitable for applications where flexibility and durability are paramount, such as in earthquake-resistant structures and infrastructure repairs. This study investigates the tensile and flexural properties of ECC using Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers (PVA) and compares these properties with those of regular mortar. Various sizes of PVA are available, and for this study, we utilized 12mm PVA fibers. The trial concrete mix design used was M30, with a watercement ratio of 0.3. The mixing process for traditional concrete and ECC is similar. Initially, the dry combination of ingredients is mixed for one to two minutes, followed by the addition of High Range Water Reducer (HRWR), and the mixture is further stirred for an additional three minutes. Finally, fibers are incorporated to achieve a stable condition for mixing. The samples used for testing consisted of 15 beams and 15 cylinders. The beam dimensions were (500 X 100 X 100) mm, while the cylinder dimensions were 100 mm in diameter and 200 mm in height. These samples were tested after 28 days of curing. The experimental findings indicate that PVA-enhanced concrete exhibits greater tensile and flexural strength when compared to conventional concrete, with results varying based on the percentage of PVA used. The split tensile strength of 1.5% PVA ECC cylinders was enhanced by approximately 46.8%. In terms of flexural strength, there was a decrease observed in 0.5% and 1% PVA fiber beams compared to ordinary concrete beams. However, the 1.5% PVA fiber beam exhibited a 43.45% improvement over the 0% fiber beam and showed a 9.4% increase compared to the 2% PVA beam. Additionally, the 1% PVA sample in the soundproof test reduced sound by up to 21.2%.

The Effect of Structural Stability of Chemical Admixtures on the NaOH Alkali-Activated Slag Properties

The current study aims to construct a synthetic polymer (or family of polymers) with superior plasticizing properties in a highly alkaline medium. An invented laboratory-prepared superplasticizer (SP), namely phenol-formaldehyde sulfonilate (PFS), was synthesized, and its performance was measured against two types of commercial superplasticizers [naphthalene-based (Nb) and polycarboxylate-based (PCb)]. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) tests were performed to verify the admixture’s stability in a highly alkaline medium. The interaction between different SPs and alkali-activated slag (AAS) surface was investigated via zeta potential and adsorption measurements. The flowability, setting time, and compressive strength developments were evaluated for AAS mixes. The hydration products’ morphologies and phase compositions were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results reveal that the prepared PFS SP has a high stability against the highly alkaline medium. The dispersing efficiency of PFS SP resulted from the highly negative zeta potential value (−49.8 mV) compared with Nb (−41.5 mV) and PCb (−15.8 mV), as well as its high adsorption percentage as PFS, Nb, and PCb adsorbed by 18.5%, 9.2%, and 3.7%, respectively. The PFS SP enhanced the physicomechanical properties for AAS because it combined several advantages at the same time compared to commercial superplasticizers; for instance, AAS pastes admixed with PFS SP have superior workability, acceptable setting time, and high early strength.

Ultrahigh Performance of Concrete using Manufactured Sand

The resistance and durability of concrete structures can be improved by using ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). A crucial component of energy conservation and concrete cost reduction is the use of locally available materials. In this study, the effects of a common type of locally accessible manufactured sand (MS) on the characteristics of UHPC were investigated from both a physical and chemical standpoint. The main objective of the current study is to use locally available materials to create a UHPC with a compressive strength of 100MPa. The impact of fine materials, binder type and content, mixer type, steel fibres, and curing regimes on the concrete’s compressive strength was examined in this study. The use of high strength concrete has various benefits, including a reduction in the size of beams and columns and an increase in the height of buildings with multiple stories. In recent years, high strength concrete has seen increased use in civil engineering. By minimising non-homogeneity, porosity, and micro-cracks in the concrete and its zone of transition, high strength is made achievable. Super plasticizers and additional cementing substances such granulated blast furnace slag, silica fume, and natural pozzolana can be used to achieve it. Concrete with a high modulus of elasticity is strong. On cement, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate, preliminary studies have been conducted. In the current study, 920KK is employed as a chemical admixture and silica fume is used as a mineral admixture. For M100 concrete, the w/c ratio is taken to be 0.25. The mix proportion for M100 grade concrete can be calculated by following the design process suggested by the ACI Method as 1:0.454:1.527.

Investigation on Strength Characteristics of Self Compacting Concrete incorporated with AR Glass Fibers

This project presents the experimental study on self-compacting concrete (SCC) with replacement of cement by various percentage of Silica Fume and Fly Ash. The main objective is to determine the Flexural strength, Compressive strength and Split tensile strength of Self compacting concrete by partial replacement of cement by Silica Fume and Fly Ash. The use of fly ash in concrete today is an important subject and is of growing importance day by day. Using fly ash in concrete many provide both economic advantages and enhanced properties in the production of concrete. The addition of super plasticizer increases the workability of concrete. The work involves making seven types of SCCs mixes. For each mix preparation, twenty-one cube specimens, twenty-one-cylinder specimens and twenty-one beam specimens are cast and cured. The specimens are cured in water for 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. The results show that SCC with 5% SF and 10% gives higher values of Compressive strength, Split Tensile strength and Flexural Strength compared to other percentages of Silica Fume and Fly Ash. According to the SCC result, various percentages of AR Glass Fiber (0.1% to 0.4%) added with the optimum SCC (5% of SF+ 10% of FA) and super plasticizer is mixed with optimum SCC. After each mix proportion, specimens are cast and cured for 28 days in water and hardened properties are determined. The results show that the higher the percentage of glass fiber, the higher the values of concrete Compressive strength, Split Tensile Strength and Flexural Strength.