Properties of concrete modified by amorphous alumina silicate

Abstract

Concrete is the most widely used building material obtained by hardening the mix made of coarse and fine aggregates, cement as the binding material, and water. The basic properties of concrete depend on the quality and properties of cement, w/c ratio and the homogeneity of compaction. Compressive strength is one of the most important properties of concrete. Materials used: Portland cement CEM I 42.5 R, 0/4 fraction sand, 4/16 fraction gravel, amorphous alumina silicate admixture, polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizer Muraplast FK 63.30, and tap water. Five compositions of concrete mixes containing 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% of amorphous alumina silicate admixture by mass of cement were produced. The article analyses the effect of amorphous alumina silicate on the properties of concrete depending on the admixture content. The results revealed that the compressive strength of concrete after 7 days of curing increased by 7.1%, after 28 days of curing increased by 13.3% when the amorphous aluminum oxide doped silicate content was increased to 10%. Amorphous alumina silicate admixture added in quantities of up to 10%, increased the density of hardened concrete by 0.75%, and ultrasonic pulse velocity in specimens with the admixture increased up to 2.63%.

First published online: 27 Mar 2015