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Vol.05,Issue.04,
WWW.IJITECH.ORG April-2017,
Pages:0627-0631

Study on Properties of Modified Reactive Powder Concrete

G. K. MANASA1, CH. VENKATA RAMANA2, P. SAI PRADEEP3
1
PG Scholar, Dept of Structural Engineering, Rise Krishna Sai Prakasam Group of Institutions, Ongole, AP, India,
E-mail: gkvmanasa@gmail.com.
2
Assistant Professor, Dept of Structural Engineering, Rise Krishna Sai Prakasam Group of Institutions, Ongole, AP, India,
E-mail: kvr.kokkilagadda@gmail.com.
3
Assistant Professor, Dept of Structural Engineering, Rise Krishna Sai Prakasam Group of Institutions, Ongole, AP, India,
E-mail: pradprady@gmail.com.

Abstract: Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is an ultra-high
strength and high ductility composite material with advanced
mechanical properties. It is developed in 1990s by the French
Company Bouygues. It is a special concrete wherein the
microstructure is optimized by precise gradation of all
particles in the mix to yield maximum density. RPC
extensively uses the pozzolanic properties of highly refined
silica fume and optimization of the Portland cement chemistry
to produce the highest strength hydrates. It represents a new
class of Portland cement based material with compressive
strengths of range 150Mpa. The flexural strength is also to be
ranges from 30 40 Mpa. The material exhibits high ductility
with values of energy absorption approaching those that are
reserved for only metals. The RPC concept is based on the
principle that a material with a minimum of defects such as
micro-cracks and voids will be able to achieve a greater load
carrying capacity and greater durability. And finally, the
purpose of this investigation is to attribute to the refinements
in RPC with an introduction of graded aggregate (3-8mm) and
also do the without of coarse aggregate is to be done by the
Ordinary Reactive Powder Concrete (ORPC). So as to make
this RPC more economical and feasible without much
reduction in its mechanical properties. This modification
makes the traditional RPC as an innovative MRPC (Modified
Reactive Powder Concrete). The RPC is with and without of
Coarse aggregate is tested in compressive and flexural
strength using steel fibers. To find flow of concrete is also to
be measured in the addition of steel fibers without coarse
aggregate only.
Keywords: Ordinary Reactive Powder Concrete (ORPC),
Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), High-Range
Water Reducer (HRWR).
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Reactive Powder Concrete
Recently, very high strength cement based composite with
high ductility called Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) has
been developed in Bouygues, France (Richard and Cheyrezy,
1994). Reactive Powder Concrete provides many
enhancements in properties compared to conventional and
high strength concrete of all particles in the mix to yield
maximum density. The term Reactive Powder Concrete
(RPC) has been used to describe a fibre-reinforced, super
plasticized, silica fume-cement mixture with very low water-
cement ratio (w/c) characterized by the presence of very fine
Quartz sand (0.15-0.40 mm) instead of ordinary aggregate. In
fact, it is not a concrete because there is no coarse aggregate
in the cement mixture. The absence of coarse aggregate was
considered by the inventors to be a key aspect for the
microstructure and the performance of the RPC in order to
reduce the heterogeneity between the cement matrix and the
aggregate. RPC represents a new class of Portland cement
based material with compressive strengths in excess of
200mpa. By introducing fine steel fibres, RPC can achieve
remarkable flexural strength up to 50mpa. The material
exhibits high ductility with typical values for energy
absorption approaching those reserved for metals.
B. Development Of RPC
RPC was developed by the French engineers in the
1990s [6]. Richard and Cheyrezy presented the initial
composition in which they eliminated coarse aggregates to
enhance the homogeneity. The bond between the coarse
aggregate and the cement paste are the weakest links in the
matrix, so to improve strength the coarse aggregates were
removed from the composition. However, other studies have
indicated that addition of coarse aggregate does not
necessarily reduce the compressive strength. The use of the
coarse aggregates led not only to the decrease in cementitious
paste volume fraction, but also necessitated changes in the
mixing process and in the consequent mechanical properties.
RPC containing coarse aggregate was more easily fluidised
and homogenized. The mixing time was found to be shorter
than for RPC without coarse aggregates. Formulations with
and without coarse aggregate exhibited a similar behaviour
under compressive loading, although with somewhat different
modulus of elasticity and strain at peak stress, which was
dependent on the stiffness of the aggregates. The lower paste
volume fraction and the physical resistance of the stiffer
basalt aggregate resulted in a lower autogenous shrinkage of
the RPC containing coarse aggregates. The initial purpose of
adding coarse aggregates was to reduce the cement usage so
that the costs of construction could be lowered. Work has

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 G. K. MANASA, CH. VENKATA RAMANA, P. SAI PRADEEP
been undertaken where artificial aggregate was used to high pressure steam-curing at 160C. The addition of the
replace natural ones with clinker-aggregates resulted in an graded aggregate does not reduce the compressive strength
increase of strength (by about 20MPa) compared to natural provided that the quality of the cement matrix, in terms of its
aggregates. water-cement ratio, is not changed.
C. Advantages Of RPC
Better alternative to HPC.
High Tension Ductile failure mechanism eliminates
the need for reinforcing steel.
Improved seismic performance by reducing inertia
loads with lighter members.
Low and non-inter connected porosity diminishes
mass transfer.
The main advantage that RPC has over standard
concrete is its high compressive strength.
RPC construction requires low maintenance costs in
its service life.
D. Applications Of RPC
RPC has found application in the storage of nuclear
waste, bridges, roofs, piers, seismic-resistant
structures and structures designed to resist
Impact/blast loading.
Owing to its high compression resistance, precast
structural elements can be fabricated in slender form
to enhance aesthetics.
Durability issues of traditional concrete have been
acknowledged for many years and significant funds
have been necessary to repair aging infrastructure.
Reactive Powder Concrete possesses good durability
properties.
RPC usually incorporates larger quantities of steel or
synthetic fibres and has enhanced ductility and high
temperature performance.
II. LITERATURE REVEIW
M K Maroliya (2012), An Investigation on Reactive
Powder Concrete containing Steel Fibers and Fly- Ash The
primary focus of this development has been on the
achievement of greater compressive strengths and it is now no
longer possible to refer to all concretes as merely concrete.
The production of very high strength normal weight Reactive
powder concrete (RPC) requires detailed investigation of
number of factors that have and what can be done to
optimized their contribution to the attainment of very high
compressive strength. Studied were the effects of water to
cement ratio, curing conditions, compositions and the effect
of mineral and chemical admixtures to achieve higher
compressive strength. S. Collepardi, L. Coppola, R. Troli, M.
Collepardi, Mechanical Properties of Modified Reactive
Powder Concrete, Original Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC)
- in form of a superplasticized cement mixture with silica
fume, steel fibers and ground fine quartz (150-400 mm) - was
studied in comparison with a modified RPC where a graded
natural aggregate (max size 8 mm) was used to replace the
fine sand and/or part of the cementitious binder. Original and
modified RPC were manufactured at a plastic-fluid
consistency, cast by vibration and cured at three different
conditions: a) room temperature; b) steam-curing at 90C; c)
International Journal of Innovative Technologies
Volume.05, Issue No.04, April-2017, Pages: 0627-0631
This result is in contrast with the model proposed to relate
the high compressive strength level of RPC (200 MPa) to the
absence of coarse aggregate. Both the original and modified
RPC (with the coarse aggregate addition) perform better in
terms of higher strength and lower driying shrinkage or creep
strain - when they are steam cured rather than cured at room
temperature. This improvement was related to a more dense
microstructure of the cement matrix, particularly in the RPC
specimens steam cured at 160C. Olivier Bonneau, Mohamed
Lachemi, ricDallaire, JrmeDugat, and Pierre-Claude
Atcin (1997), Mechanical Properties and Durability of Two
Industrial Reactive Powder Concretes, Two reactive powder
concretes (RPC) were produced on an industrial scale at the
Universit de Sherbrooke and in a nearby precast plant. A 2.6
m3 mix was prepared in a ready mix truck while a 1.35 m3
mix was prepared in the central mixer of the precast plant.
The ready mix RPC was sampled before and after the addition
of steel fibers while the one produced at the precast plant was
sampled only at the end of the mixing process. These RPCs
were tested for compressive strength, modulus of elasticity,
freezing and thawing cycling resistance, scaling resistance
to deicing salts, and resistance to chloride ion penetration.
Large samples were also cast allowing core samples to be
taken.
The results show that a 200 MPa compressive strength
could be achieved in both cases: after curing in hot water at
90 deg C or in the low pressure steam chambers at the precast
plant. Confinement of the RPC in a steel tube greatly
increases its compressive strength and its ductility. The two
mixes were found to be freeze-thaw resistant and presented a
very low mass loss under the scaling test. Chloride ion
permeability was below 10 Coulombs even for the specimens
containing steel fibers; this extremely low value translates to
the quasi-impermeability of the two RPCs. Kay Wille,
Antoine E. Naaman, and Gustavo J. Parra-Montesinos (2011),
Ultra-High Performance Concrete with Compressive
Strength Exceeding 150 MPa (22 ksi): A Simpler Way,
Although intensive research related to ultra high-performance
concrete (UHPC) and its composition has been carried out
over the past two decades, attaining compressive strengths of
over 150 MPa (22 ksi) without special treatment, such as heat
curing, pressure, and/or extensive vibration, has been nearly
out of reach. This paper describes the development of a
UHPC with a compressive strength exceeding 200 MPa (30
ksi), which was obtained using materials commercially
available in the U.S. market and without the use of any heat
treatment, pressure, or special mixer.
The influence of different variables such as type of
cement (C), silica fume (SF), sand, and high-range water
reducer (HRWR) on compressive strength is evaluated. The
test results show that the spread value, measured through a
slump cone test on a flow table, is a good and quick indicator
 Study on Properties of Modified Reactive Powder Concrete
to optimize the mixture packing density and thus its F.A = 2355-(600+168+900) = 687 kg/m3
compressive strength. Mr. M K Maroliya (2012), A State Of
Art- On Development Of Reactive Powder Concrete, Low TABLE I: Mix Proportions for the RPC with Coarse
flexural tensile strength has number of undesirable Aggregate
consequences for its performance as an effective building
material. These include necessity of auxiliary steel
reinforcement and thick sectioned members that are both
aesthetically unappealing and consume significant quantities
of aggregates. An emerging technology with the potential to
overcome these limitations is reactive powder concrete (RPC)
RPC is a cold cast cementitious material in which the B. Mix Design for RPC without Coarse Aggregate
mechanical properties of the matrix are improved by In this mix design the w/c ratio is assumed to 0.3 and the
suppression of the weak interfacial transition zone normally cement conent is increased by the first mix.
developed around the aggregate through improved particle Weight of water = 220 kg/m3
packing and by refinement of the hydrated paste Weight of cement = 733 kg/m3
microstructure by extensive use pozzolanic silica and elevated Weight of quartz sand = 257 kg/m3
temperature curing. Tensile capacity is provided by steel Weight of river sand = 1136 kg/m3
micro fibres rather than conventional reinforcement the low
and non connected porosity of RPC also render extremely TABLE II:
durable. RPC offers the possibility building with concrete
with slender member with improved seismic response.

III. EXEPERIMENTAL PROGRAM

A. Mix Design for RPC with Coarse Aggregate
To developed the mix proportions for the replacement of
coarse aggregate is to be used Characteristic strength of C. Comparison of RPC without And With Coarse
concrete is 150 Mpa, Specific gravity of F.A and C.A is 2.63 Aggregate
and 2.8 respectively. From the above results we can take the four mix proportions
Step 1: The mean target strength fm =f min+ ks i.e., 0.27, 0.25, 0.24, 0.22 of the results are compare with the
=150+1.65*6 RPC and RPCCA.
Step 2: the assumed water content ratio is 0.28
TABLE III:
Step 3: For slump of 50 mm , 10 mm aggregate
maximum size of aggregate , for non air entrained
concrete
The mixing water content is 205 kg/m3 of concrete
Te required cement content = 205/0.28 =732
Step 4: from 10mm coarse aggregate fineness
modulus is 2.40 and dry rodded bulk density volume RPC = Reactive Powder Concrete without coarse aggregate
of coarse aggregate is 0.50 per unit volume of RPCCA = Reactive Powder Concrete with coarse aggregate
concrete
Step 5: the weight of coarse aggregate
=0.50*1800=900kg/m3
Step 6: The estimated density of fresh concrete for
10mm maximum size of aggregate for non air
entrained concrete= 2285 kg/m3
Step 7: The weight of all the known ingredient of
concrete
Weight of water = 205 kg/m3
Weight of cement = 733 kg/m3
Weight of C.A = 900kg/m3
Weight of F.A = 2285- (205+733+900)
= 447 kg/m3
The mix proportion is
C: F.A:C.A: Water =733:447:900:205
1:0.60:1.22:0.28

If the cement content is greater than 500kg/m3

So we can reduce the cement content is 600kg/m3 Fig.1.
Water = 0.28*600 =168kg/m3
International Journal of Innovative Technologies
Volume.05, Issue No.04, April-2017, Pages: 0627-0631
 G. K. MANASA, CH. VENKATA RAMANA, P. SAI PRADEEP
Form the above Fig.1 the compressive strength is reducing Flexural Strength Results of RPC and RPCCA with Steel
the addition of coarse aggregate. Fibres:
TABLE VII:
D. Compressive Strength Results Of Addition Of Steel
Fibres is 20 % of the RPC and RPCCA
TABLE IV:

From the above results the flexural strengths graph is to

be as below

RPCSF = Reactive Powder Concrete with steel fibres.

RPCCASF =Reactive Powder concrete with C.A and steel
fibres.

E. Comparison Of RPC And RPCCA With The Addition

Of Steel Fibres

Fig.5.

IV. CONCLUSION
From the above results we can conclude that RPC and
RPCCA have very slight variations in compressive
strength and also flexural strength values.
At water cement ratio as low as 0.22, polycarboxylic
ether gives good workable concrete, but normal super
plasticizers like SNF requires higher water-cement ratio.
Fig.2. The results show that silica fume gives better
compressive strength and good flow at lower water-
F. Flexural Strength Results of RPC and RPCCA and cement ratio.
Steel FIBERS Workability is not achieved when coarse aggregate is
Flexural Strength Results of RPC and RPCCA: used in MRPC.
TABLE V: From the table 1 on average compressive strength is
increased by 3 % for RPC than RPCCA.
From the table 2 on average compressive strength is
increased by 20 % for RPCSF than RPCCASF.
From the table 3 on average of flexural strength is
increased by 6 % for RPC than RPCCA.
From the table 4 on average of flexural strength is
From the above results the flexural strengths graph is to increased by 8 % for RPCSF than RPCCASF.
be as below If the coarse aggregate is used the workability is not
coming.
The cost of RPC is less than the MRPC.

V. REFERENCES
[1]Richard, P., and Cheyrezy , M H RPC with high
ductility and compressive strengths of 200 Mpa order,
[2]Cheyrezy.M, Maret.V, Frouin.L (1995) microstructure
analysis for RPC cements concrete research, vol.25
no.7pp.1491-1500.
[3]Benjamin A. Graybeal. (2006) Practical Means For
Determination of the Tensile Behaviorop of Ultra-High
Performance Concrete. Journal of ASTM International, Vol.
3, No. 8, pp. 1-9.
Fig.3.
International Journal of Innovative Technologies
Volume.05, Issue No.04, April-2017, Pages: 0627-0631
 Study on Properties of Modified Reactive Powder Concrete
[4]The Indian Concrete Journal, November 2007. Editorial
Concrete Without Coarse Aggregate
[5]CONCRETE Microstructure, Properties, and Materials
by P. Kumar Mehta and Paulo J. M. Monteiro.
[6]Indian Standard METHOD OF MAKING, CURING
AND DETERMINING COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF
ACCELERATED-CURED CONCRET TEST SPECIMENS,
IS: 9013- 1978.
[7]Indian Standard CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONING-
GUIDELUINES, IS 10262:2009.
[8]Neville, A.M. Properties of Concrete, Fourth Edition,
1995, Editor: Longman Group Limited, Essex, England, p.
844
[9]Silica fumes Manual. ELKEM India Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai.
[10]Standard test method for Flexural performance of fibre
reinforced concrete (Using Beam with third point loading).
[11]Marcel Cheyrezy, Vincent Maret, and Laurent Frouin.
Micro-structural analysis of RPC (Reactive powder
concrete). Cement and Concrete Research, 1995, Vol. 25,
No. 7
[12]Concrete Technology by M.S.Shetty.

International Journal of Innovative Technologies

Volume.05, Issue No.04, April-2017, Pages: 0627-0631