Title:
Effect of Aggregate Type on Mechanical Properties of Reactive Powder Concrete
Author(s):
Serdar Aydin, Halit Yazici, Mert Yucel Yardimci, and Huseyin Yigiter
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
107
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
441-449
Keywords:
aggregate; autoclave; fracture energy; reactive powder concrete; scanning electron microscopy; steam curing
DOI:
10.14359/51663963
Date:
9/1/2010
Abstract:
This paper focuses on the experimental study of the mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete (RPC) produced with different aggregates, such as korund, basalt, limestone, quartz, sintered bauxite, and granite. The effects of aggregate type on mechanical properties were investigated under standard, atmospheric, and high-pressure steam curing. The test results indicate that very high compressive strength can be achieved even with low-strength or smooth-surface aggregates; however, superior flexural performance requires high-strength aggregate with rough surface characteristics. A compressive strength of approximately 200 MPa (29 ksi) can be obtained when strong and rough-surface textured aggregate were used under standard curing conditions. Atmospheric and high-pressure steam curing improved the compressive strength significantly. These curing regimes, however, did not considerably improve the flexural performance. Pressure application in fresh state resulted in a great improvement of the compressive strength of RPC, particularly in the case of high-strength and rough-surface textured aggregates. In this way, a compressive strength over 400 MPa (58 ksi) was obtained with bauxite aggregate after pressure application and autoclaving.