A study on Strength Characteristics of High Performance Densified Small Particles Based Concrete

Abstract

Concrete is used most widely as a construction material. The primary difference between conventional concrete and high performance concrete is the use of mineral and chemical admixtures. High Performance Densified Small Particles based Concrete is a concrete which is obtained by using high quantities of superplasticizers and high volumes of microsilica. It ensures proper filling and good structural performance. In general, when fibres are added to concrete, tensile strain of the fibre improves significantly. This in turn improves cracking behavior, ductility and energy absorption capacity of composites in addition to durability. This work outlines investigation on the Strength properties of Densified Small Particles based Concrete of grade M70 with brass coated straight steel fibres. The Compressive, Flexural and Split Tensile strength tests for different percentage of steel fibres i.e. 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% by
weight of cementitious material were performed at 7, 14 and 28 days. The investigations show that, the Compressive, Flexural and Split Tensile Strength at 9% steel fibres are higher. With increase in steel fibre percentage from 9% to 12% there is no appreciable increase in Compressive strength, Flexural strength as well as in Split tensile strength. From 9% to 12% concrete is not workable and hence 9% is considered as optimized value.