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Compatibility matrix of superplasticizers in Ultra-High-Performance concrete for material sustainability

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Abstract

The research work aims at outbreaking the fundamentals by distinguishing the varying superplasticizers by its workability, strength, and behavior on Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). The UHPC works under a low water-binder ratio where the workability is maintained through the addition of superplasticizers. Superplasticizers are of four types, namely Sulphonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde (SNF), Sulphonated Melamine Formaldehyde (SMF), Sulphonated Acetone Formaldehyde (SAF), and Polycarboxylate Ether (PC). The present research work is a comprehensive study focusing on the influence of superplasticizers such as type, dosage, fresh, and hardened state properties on UHPC. With this background, the present study was carried out to analyze the performance of UHPC through three types of superplasticizers such as SNF based—Hi-plast S50, SMF based—BPC—M20, and PC based—Master Glenium 51 at a consistent dosage of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2%, respectively, with a constant percentage of glass fiber (2.5%) and silica fume (15%) to the weight of cement. Out of three superplasticizers, PC-based admixture showed a good impact with moderate workability retention and water reduction of 20–35%. The saturation dosage was attained at 1.5% of PC-based admixture. The outcome of the present study is expected to break through the fundamentals of superplasticizers and their applications in UHPC. Based on the observation, it is recommended that PC-based admixtures are more prominent than sulphonated superplasticizers in terms of water reduction, workability, and strength aspects.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Department of Civil Engineering, PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research for providing the necessary laboratory facilities.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research, Coimbatore, 641062, India

    Arun Murugesan, Abdul Aleem Mohamed Ismail & Deepasree Srinivasan

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Ranganathar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, 641110, India

    Nandhini Umapathi

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  1. Arun Murugesan
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  2. Nandhini Umapathi
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Contributions

AM was contributed to formal analysis and data curation. NU was contributed to data curation and editing the draft. AAMI was contributed to experimental investigation, results and discussion, and editing the draft. DS was contributed to conceptualization, methodology, and writing—original draft.

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Correspondence to Deepasree Srinivasan.

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Murugesan, A., Umapathi, N., Mohamed Ismail, A.A. et al. Compatibility matrix of superplasticizers in Ultra-High-Performance concrete for material sustainability. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 8, 260 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-023-01228-0

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