Role of ingredients for high strength and high performance concrete - A review

Abstract

The performance characteristics of high-strength and high-performance concrete are discussed in this review. Recent developments in the field of high-performance concrete marked a giant step forward in high-tech construction materials with enhanced durability, high compressive strength and high modulus of elasticity particularly for industrial applications. There is a growing awareness that specifications requiring high compressive strength make sense only when there are specific strength design advantages. HPC today employs blended cements that include silica fume, fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag. In typical formulations, these cementitious materials can exceed 25% of the total cement by weight. Silica fume contributes to strength and durability; and fly ash and slag cement to better finish, decreased permeability, and increased resistance to chemical attack. The influences of various mineral admixtures such as fly ash, silica fume, micro silica, slag etc. on the performance of high-strength concrete are discussed.

Fresh-State and Mechanical Properties of High-Performance Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Aggregates from the Precast Industry

“…Analyzing the failure surfaces in the cubic specimens due to uniaxial compression, they showed satisfactory failures (Figure 13, Figure 14 and Figure 15) according to NP EN 12390-3 [36]. The type of failure obtained (explosive failure) is normal in HPSCC, according to Parande [7].…”

“…The type of failure obtained was explosive (as in cubic specimens). According to Parande [7], this type of failure is normal in HPC.…”

“…This allows improvements in mechanical properties, such as modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, and compressive strength, among others [6]. In addition, silica fume contributes to HPC’s increased durability [7,8]. Silica fume has a greater impact on concrete compressive strength during the first 28 days.…”

“…After 28 days, the concrete will gradually continue to gain strength, although the strength gaining rate is much slower [6]. The amount of silica fume to be used in HPC ranges from 10% to 15% in cement weight [7,9]. If a small amount of silica fume is incorporated (less than 5%), its use will not be efficient [10].…”

Parametric Studies Into Creep and Shrinkage Characteristics in Railway Prestressed Concrete Sleepers

“…The prestressed concrete concept can result in lower maintenance costs and longer life cycles in terms of economic and technical aspects. Nowadays, the most commonly used type of sleepers around the world is the prestressed concrete type, which can provide higher serviceability, stability, and safety, especially in suburban and heavy haul rail networks (Kaewunruen and Remennikov, 2010;Parande, 2013;Taherinezhad et al, 2013;Kaewunruen, 2014;Tang et al, 2015;Padhi and Panda, 2017). Prestressed concrete sleepers must successfully perform to satisfy two key responsibilities: first, transfer the wheel loads from the rails to the ground, and later, restrain the rail gauge to ensure the dynamic and safe travels of trains.…”