Title:
High-Performance Concrete: Influence of Coarse Aggregates on Mechanical Properties
Author(s):
Aykut Cetin and Ramon L. Carrasquillo
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
95
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
252-261
Keywords:
coarse aggregate; compressive strength; elastic modulus; flexural strength; high-performance concrete; mineralogy
DOI:
10.14359/369
Date:
5/1/1998
Abstract:
Test results are reported from an experimental study in which the effect of four coarse aggregate types, locally available in central Texas, on the mechanical properties of low water-cement ratio mixes, namely compressive strength, elastic modulus, and flexural strength was investigated. Crushed river gravel, trap rock, dolomitic limestone, and calcitic limestone were used in high-performance concrete (HPC) production in varying amounts: 36, 40, and 44 percent by concrete volume. A constant water-cement ratio of 0.28 was employed for all mixes. The mineralogical characteristics of coarse aggregate, as well as the aggregate shape, surface texture, and hardness, appear to be responsible for the differences in the performance of HPCs. It was observed that HPCs with different coarse aggregates appear to lack a single equation that estimates the elastic modulus or flexural strength with sufficient accuracy as in the case of normal strength concretes. This could be attributed to the increased role of coarse aggregate in concrete mixes with low water-cement ratios, as a result of improved cement paste and transition zone.