Acid, Alkali and Chloride Resistance of Early Age Cured Silica Fume Concrete

Abstract

Research investigations were carried out on silica fume concrete with respect to its workability, compressive strength, and durability and are reported in this paper in detail. The quantity of silica fume was varied from 1 to 6 %. Workability of the silica fume admixed concrete mix was found to decrease by 30 mm with an increase in silica fume content (2 %) and beyond the use of 3 % silica fume, it necessitated the use of super plasticizers for maintaining the workability level as compared to control concrete. 28 days compressive strength of the silica fume concrete showed a significant increase with increase in the silica fume content from 1 to 6 %. Durability studies were carried out by immersing the cubes in sulphuric acid, sodium sulphate solution and in sodium chloride solution. Further, water absorption test was also carried out to check concrete’s ability to resist water penetration. It is found that the loss in weight of the concrete cubes in acidic media is found to be decreasing with increase in silica fume content. Further, it is also observed that the loss in weight of silica fume concrete is found to be almost nil in against to alkali media. Water absorption is also found to be reducing with the increase in silica fume content.