CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
The development of concrete technology has been a gradual process over many
years. With the advent of new admixtures and cementations materials, it becomes
possible to produce highly workable concrete with superior mechanical properties and
durability.
This newly developed concrete is being called HIGH STRENGTH
CONCRETE (HSC). HSC has a high very high degree of durability, which is obtained
by using supplementary cementations materials like fly ash, silica fume and GGBS
etc, to replace a certain percentage of OPC. The use of these replacing materials
improves the properties of concrete, both in fresh and hardened stages.

1.2 Objectives Of The Project

The main objective of the present investigation is to study the behavior of high
strength reinforced concrete beams (replacement of cement with silica fume).

Super plasticizer is used to achieve require workability.

To study the material properties.
To study the behavior of high strength reinforced concrete beams in flexure.
To determine the ultimate load carrying capacity of the high strength
reinforced concrete beams.
To study load-deflection, characteristics of HSC.
To study the crack pattern in beams.

1
1.3 High Strength Concrete (HSC)
1.3.1 Definition of HSC
According to ACI High strength Concrete is defined as concrete which
meets special performance and uniformity requirements that cannot always be
achieved routinely by using conventional materials and normal mixing, placing and
curing practices. Indian NPP is specified as concrete with high tensile strength, high
durability, low permeability, low creep and shrinkage and good workability.
The High strength concrete is used for concrete mixture, which possesses high
strength, high modulus of elasticity, high density, high dimensional stability, low
permeability and resistance to chemical attack. To produce HPC it is generally
essential to use mineral and chemical admixtures such as silica fume, fly ash, and
super plasticizer.

1.3.2 Production of HSC

Under compressive loads, failure in normal concrete occurs either within
the hydrated cement paste or along the interface between the cement paste and
aggregate particles. This interface is called transition zone, is a weak area in normal
concrete. Improved properties of high strength concrete are due to change in the
microstructure of concrete composite, particularly due to change in the microstructure
of the transition zone reduction of its thickness, associated voids and micro cracks as
well as uniform particle distribution. Such modifications in microstructure are
achieved by using both chemical and mineral admixtures. Appropriate grading of solid
material starting from coarse aggregate to the finest one and low water binder ratio
(w/b) also has the significant effect on the modification of microstructure.

2
 Silica fume and fly ash are common mineral admixtures used in developing
high strength concrete mix. Silica fume as its size is smaller than cement grains fills
the voids in between the cement grains.
This leads to a decrease in water demand. But its high specific area increases
the water demand. Combination of these two effect results in net increase in water
demand compared to normal strength concrete for a given level of workability. Super
plasticizer is used to reduce the water demand. This also help the silica fume to be
well dispersed in concrete mix.
1.3.3 Chemical Mechanism
This is a chemical mechanism, silica fume reacts with the calcium
hydroxide, which is liberated during process of hydration, about 22-24 percent and
produces calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H). The following are the chemical reactions
that are taking place.
Portland cement reaction: C3+H = C-S-H+CH
Portland reaction of silica fume: S+CH+H = C-S-H
The combination of pozzolanic and filler action leads to increase in
compressive, split tensile, flexural and bond strengths; reduction in bleeding and
segregation of fresh concrete; leading to increased durability and reduction in heat of
hydration.
Water reducing admixtures, super plasticizer creates conducive condition for
complete hydration of cement by deflocculating the cement lump and making cement
water mixtures as well dispersed system. This reduces the risk of anhydrous cement
grain to be present in the structure of concrete and to improve the pore structure
during hydration process by bringing almost all cement particles fully in contact with
water. Super plasticizers are capable of reducing the water requirement by about 30%.

3
 1.3.4 Salient Features Of HSC
Compressive strength greater than 60 MPa.
Water- binder ratio ranges from 0.25 to 0.35.
Improves the properties of matrix by addition of pozzolanic admixture
(i.e.) silica fume, fly ash.
Stronger transition zone at the interface between cement paste and
corrosion protection to the embedded steel is high.
It has high electrical resistivity with carbon fibers and chemical
resistance.
It has good resistance against abrasion, cavitations and erosion
Very little micro cracks.
Powerful confinement of aggregate.

1.4 Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)

Concrete is extremely strong in compression but weak in tension. If the tensile
nature of the concrete increases the flexural behavior.
Tensile strength can be increased by many techniques. One of the latest
techniques is Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP).
FRP is available in many forms such as mats, pultruded sections, fibers etc. In
most of cases it combines with resin to give to give a composite technique.
But in this project the fibers are mixed in concrete to have a composite action
with concrete.

4
1.4.1 Salient Features Of GFRP
High Alkali resistance
High dispersion
Immunity to corrosion
High number of fibers
Excellent mechanical strength and stiffness
High flexibility, and
High consistency

5
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 General Review
In current scenario of civil engineering many applications of High strength
Concrete spread throughout the world ranging from the making of industrial floors,
nuclear power projects to high rise infrastructure buildings and water retaining
structures.
Many research works are still under progress in the field of HPC so as to meet
the likely demands of the fast growing construction industry and performance
requirements. The definition of HSC was also expanded to encompass both durability
and strength of structural components.

2.1.1 High-Strength Concrete

Sefficiency of silica fume in concrete
K. Ganesh babu, p.v. Surya prakash (1995)
The use of silica fume as a mineral admixture for the production of high
strength high performance concretes is gaining importance in recent years. The
present paper is an effort towards a better understanding of the efficiency of silica
fume in concrete. It was observed from an evaluation of the data available in literature
that the efficiency of SF in concrete was not a constant at all percentages of
replacement. It was proposed that the overall efficiency factor of SF can be assessed
in two separate parts, the general efficiency factor - a constant at all the percentages
of replacement and the percentage efficiency factor - varying with the replacement
percentage.

6
 A comparison of the efficiencies obtained from the earlier data with studies on a
Lower Grade Silica Fume in the laboratory show that the proposed values of
efficiency are of lower bound and it is possible to achieve even higher efficiencies
with proper mix proportioning.

Influence Of Silica Fume On The Workability And The Compressive Strength Of

High-Performance Concretes
R. Duval1 and E.H. Kadri (1998)
The workability and the compressive strength of silica fume concretes were
investigated at low water-cementitious materials ratios with a naphthalene sulphonate
super plasticizer.
The results show that partial cement replacement up to 10% silica fume does
not reduce the concrete workability. Moreover, the superplasticizer dosage depends on
the cement characteristics (C3A and alkali sulfates content). At low water-
cementitious materials ratios, slump loss with time is observed and increases with
high replacement levels. Silica fume at replacement contents up to 20% produce
higher compressive strengths than control concretes; nevertheless, the strength gain is
less than 15%. In this paper, we propose a model to evaluate the compressive strength
of silica fume concrete at any time. The model is related to the water-cementitious
materials and silica-cement ratios. Taking into account the authors and other
researchers experimental data, the accuracy of the proposed model is better than 5%.

Optimization Of Silica Fume,Fly Ash And Amorphous Nano-Silica In

Superplasticized Hpc
M. Collepardi, S. Collepardi, U.Skarp and R. Troli,(2000)

7
 The influence of some pozzolanic additions such as silica fume, fly ash and
ultra-fine amorphous colloidal silica (UFACS) on the performance of
superplasticized concrete was studied. Superplasticized mixtures in form of flowing
(slump of 230 mm) or self-compacting concretes (slump flow of 735 mm) were
manufactured all with a water-cement ratio as low as 0.44, in order to produce high-
performance concretes (HPC). They were cured at room temperature (20C) or steam-
cured at 65C in order to simulate the manufacturing of pre-cast members.
Concretes with ternary combinations of silica fume (15-20 kg/m3), fly ash (30-
40 kg/m3) and UFACS (5-8 kg/m3) perform better in terms of strength and
durability than those with fly ash alone (60 kg/m3) and approximately as those with
silica fume alone (60 kg/m3). Due to the reduced availability of silica fume on the
market, these ternary combinations can reduce by 60-70% the needed amount of silica
fume for each pre-cast HPC element at a given performance level.
Moreover, at later ages the strength reduction in steam-cured concretes with
respect to the corresponding concretes cured at room temperature, is negligible or
much lower in mixtures with the ternary combinations of pozzolanic additions.

Development Of Hpc Using Silica Fume At Relatively High W/B Ratios

M.F.M. Zaina, Md. Safiuddina, H. Mahmudb (2000)
The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of developing high
performance concrete (HPC) using silica fume (SF) at relatively high waterbinder
ratios. For this purpose, waterbinder ratios of 0.45 and 0.50 were considered. Test
specimens were air and water cured and exposed to a medium temperature range of
20C to 50C. The compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and initial surface
absorption (ISA) of hardened concrete were determined in the laboratory.

8
 Test results indicated that concrete under water curing offers the best results.
The highest level of compressive strength and modulus of elasticity and the lowest
level of ISA were produced by SF concrete under water curing and at temperature of
35C. Data collected also revealed that, under controlled curing conditions, it is
possible to produce HPC at relatively high waterbinder ratios.
Influence Of Strength On The Fracture Energy Of High Strength Concrete
B.K. Raghu Prasad, G. Appa Rao and R. Patnaik (2001)
In this study a wide range of concrete mixes have been designed to vary the
strength of concrete. Two parameters were adopted to change the properties of
concrete. Silica fume was used at 10, 15,and 20 percent as cement replacement
material by weight of binder. At each silica fume content, three different water-binder
ratios 0.29, 0.32 and 0.34 were adopted.
Changing the silica fume content from 10 % to 20 % showed hardly any
influence on the compressive strength at lower water-binder ratios. However, the
highest strength has been achieved at 15 % silica fume with 0.32 water-binder ratio.

Eight-Year Exploration Of Shrinkage In Hsc

Bertil Persson (2002 )
In this paper, an experimental and analytical exploration on the effect of water
binder ratio (w/b), silica fume and age on autogenous, carbonation, drying and total
shrinkage of high-performance concrete (HPC) is outlined. Eight types of HPC were
studied. Carbonation, internal relative humidity (RH) and strength were studied on
specimens from the same batch of HPC that was used in the studies of shrinkage. The
results indicate fairly good correlation between carbonation, shrinkage, w/b and RH.
The type and amount of silica fume affected shrinkage.

9
Effect Of Silica Fume On Mechanical Properties Of High Strength Concrete
M. Mazloom, A.A. Ramezanianpour , J.J. Brooks(2003)
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of binder systems containing
different levels of silica fume on fresh and mechanical properties of concrete.
The work focused on concrete mixes having a fixed water/binder ratio of 0.35.
The percentages of silica fume that replaced cement in this research were: 0%, 6%,
10% and 15%. The results of this research indicate that as the proportion of silica
fume increased, the workability of concrete decreased but its short-term mechanical
properties such as 28-day compressive strength improved. Moreover, the basic creep
of concrete decreased at higher silica fume replacement levels. The results of swelling
tests after shrinkage and creep indicate that increasing the proportion of silica fume
lowered the amount of expansion.

Effects Of Densified Silica Fume On Microstructure And Compressive Strength

Of Blended Cement Pastes
Ji Yajun, Jong Herman Cahyadi(2003)
Some experimental investigations on the microstructure and compressive
strength development of silica fume blended cement pastes are presented in this paper.
The silica fume replacement varies from 0% to 20% by weight and the water/binder
ratio (w/b) is 0.4. The compressive strength at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days have been
studied. The test results indicate that the improvements on both microstructure and
mechanical properties of hardened cement pastes by silica fume replacement are not
effective due to the agglomeration of silica fume particles. The unreacted silica fume
remained in cement pastes, the threshold diameter was not reduced and the increase in
compressive strength was insignificant up to 28 days.

10
 CHAPTER 3
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
3.1 Cement
To produce high performance concrete, the utilization of high strength
cements is necessary. Different types of cement have different water requirements to
produce pastes of standard consistence. Different types of cement also will produce
concrete have a different rates of strength development.
The choice of brand and type of cement is the most important to produce a good
quality of concrete. The type of cement affects the rate of hydration, so that the
strengths at early ages can be considerably influenced by the particular cement used. It
is also important to ensure compatibility of the chemical and mineral admixtures with
cement
Tests were conducted to find the specific gravity, consistency, setting time and
compressive strength of OPC and the results are tabulated in Table 2.1. This table also
compares the results obtained and the requirement as per test.

.
Fig 3.1 Material test

11
 Table 3.1 Properties of 53 grade OPC
Test Particulars Result Obtained As per IS:8112-1989
Specific gravity 3.15 3.10-3.15
Normal consistency (%) 32 30-35
Initial setting time (min) 28 30 minimum
Final setting time (min) 560 600 maximum

3.2 Aggregates
River sand passing through 4.75mm sieve was used. Physical properties of
aggregates determined per IS 2386-1968 and the results are given in table. Coarse
aggregates collected from approved quarry and aggregates having size ranging from
20mm are used. The tests are carried out or coarse aggregate as per is 2386-1968 and
the results are given in table.

Fig 3.2 Impact Test

12
 Tests were conducted to obtain specific gravity and fineness modulus of the
fine aggregate and coarse aggregate used in this study as per IS: 2386-1983 and the
results are tabulated in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2 Properties of Aggregates
Result obtained
Test particulars
Fine Aggregate Coarse Aggregate
Specific gravity 2.63 2.69
Fineness modulus 2.31 5.67

3.3 Silica Fume

Silica fume which is also known as micro silica is a very fine pozzolanic
material, composed of amorphous silica produced by electric arc furnaces as a
byproduct of the production of elemental silicon or ferrosilicon alloys. As the quartz
is heated to 2000C and an electric arc is fired through the furnace, it releases silicon
monoxide gas. This gas rises and reacts with oxygen in the upper parts of the furnace
and condenses as it cools, into the pure spherical particles of micro silica.

Fig 3.3 Micrograph from scanning electron microscope showing typical Silica Fume
There are two reactions in the silica fume,
13
Pozzolanic reactions are,
Silica fume reacts with the calcium hydroxide, which is liberated during process
of hydration, about 22-24 percent and produces calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H). The
following are the chemical reactions that are taking place.
Portland cement reaction : C3+H = C-S-H+CH
Portland reaction of silica fume : S+CH+H = C-S-H
Particle packing are,
The second function silica fume performs in cementitious compounds is a
physical one. Because silica fume is 100 to 150 times smaller than cement particle it
can fill the voids created by free water in the matrix. This function, called particle
packing, refines the microstructure of concrete, creating a much denser pore structure.
Impermeability is dramatically increased, because silica fume reduces the
number and size of capillaries that would normally enable contaminants to infiltrate
the concrete. Thus silica fume modified concrete is not only stronger, it lasts longer,
because it's more resistant to aggressive environments. As a filler and pozzolan, silica
fume's dual actions in cementitious compounds are evident throughout the entire
hydration process.
Table 3.3 Physical Properties Of Silica Fume
Colour Pale grey to Dark grey
Specific gravity 2.2
Specific surface area 20,000m2/kg
Particle size 0.1 - 1 m

The important properties of silica fume as,

Effects of Silica fume
Increased Cohesion

14
 Reduced Bleeding
Reduce Permeability

Reduced Heat of Hydration

Table 3.4 Chemical Properties Of Silica Fume

Constituent Percentage (%)

SiO2 90-96
Al2O3 0.5-0.8
MgO 0.5-1.5
Fe2O3 0.2-0.8
CaO 0.1-0.5
Na2O 0.2-0.7
K2O 0.4-1
C 0.5-1.4
S 0.1-0.4

3.4 Super Plasticizer

Super plasticizers are the modern type of water reducing admixtures, basically a
chemical or mixture of chemicals that imparts higher workability to concrete. Super
plasticizers are used in concrete,
To increase workability without changing the mix composition.
To reducing the mixing water and W/c ratio to increase the strength and
improve durability.
To reduce both water and cement in order to reduce creep and shrinkage and
thermal strains caused by heat of hydration.

15
 The normal dosage of conventional super plasticizers in HPC lies in the range
of 5-20 liters per m3. Very high content of super plasticizer can affect the process of
hydration. Super plasticizer used in this study is shown in Fig 3.4
The important properties of these super plasticizers are,
Excellent flow ability at low water cement ratio.
High water reducing.
Lower slump loss with respect to time.
Shorter retardation time.
Very high early strength.

Fig. 3.4 Super plasticizer Sample

16
 CHAPTER 4
EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY
4.1 Mix Proportioning Details
The concrete used in this study was proportioned to attain strength of 80 MPa.
ACI committee recommendation has been used for M80 design The mixes M1, M2,
M3 and M4 were obtained by replacing 0, 10, 15 and 20 percent of the mass of
cement by silica fume, Then mix M5, M6 and M7 were obtained by adding glass
fibers to 10 , 15 and 20 % binder ratio (w/b) is taken as 0.26.
Mix Design
The mix design is M80 grade
ACI committee recommendation
Slump value has been taken 25mm to 50mm
Water/Binder ratio has been kept as 0.26
The pozzolanic material used was silica fume.

4.2 Mix Design

Absolute Volume Method of mix design is adopted for proportioning of concrete
Mix M80. Mix proportioning details are tabulated
Assuming air Content as 1%
Cement = (Unit water content / Water Binder)
= 156/0.26
= 600 kg
Absolute Volume of aggregate = 1-(Volume of air + Volume of cement +
Volume of Water)
= 1-(0.01+0.190+0.156) = 0.644 m3

17
Fine aggregate = (Volume of aggregate x sand percentage x Specific
Gravity of sand x 103)
= 0.644 x 0.35 x 2.63 x103) =593 kg/m3
Coarse aggregate = (Volume of aggregate x Coarse aggregate
percentage x Specific gravity of sand x 103)
= 0.644 x 0.65 x 2.69 x103= 1126 kg/m3
Super Plasticizer (S.P) = (Cement x S.P percentage/ Sp. gravity of S.P)
= 600 x 0.022/1.23= 10.73 lit/m3

Table 4.1 Mix Proportions Ratio

% of SF Glass Fibers (%)

Mix Ratio
In Cement In Total Volume
M1 0 0 1:0.99:1.88:0.26
M2 10 0 1:0.99:1.88:0.26
M3 15 0 1:0.99:1.88:0.26
M4 20 0 1:0.99:1.88:0.26
M5 10 0.3% 1:0.99:1.88:0.26
M6 15 0.3% 1:0.99:1.88:0.26
M7 20 0.3% 1:0.99:1.88:0.26

18
 Table 4.2 Mix Proportion Details
SUPER
SF GLASS FINE COARSE
CEMENT PLASTICIZE W/B
MIX kg/ FIBER AGGREGAT AGGREGATE
kg/m3 R
m3 kg/m3 E kg/m3 kg/m3
lit/m3& %
M1 600 0 0 593 1126 10.73(2.20) 0.26
M2 540 60 0 593 1126 11.71 (2.40) 0.26
M3 510 90 0 593 1126 12.20 (2.50) 0.26
12
M4 480 0 593 1126 13.17 (2.70) 0.26
0
M5 540 60 1.8 593 1126 1.71 (2.40) 0.26
M6 510 90 1.8 593 1126 12.20 (2.50) 0.26
12
M7 480 1.8 593 1126 13.17 (2.70) 0.26
0

4.3 Experimental Works and Procedures

Experimental investigations carried out on the test specimens to study the
workability and strength-related properties of high strength concrete using Silica fume
and Cem-Fil anti crack fibers.
All the test specimens such as cubes and cylinders were cast using steel moulds.
The specimens were removed from the mould after 24 hours and cured in water. The
cube specimens were used for compressive strength and water absorption, whereas
cylinder specimens were used to study, split tensile strength, flexural strength and
modulus of elasticity. The beam specimens were used to study the flexural as well as
shear behaviour. The details of test specimen are tabulated in the Table 3.3.

19
Fig 4.1 Experimental works

20
 Table 4.3 Types of Tests and Specimen Sizes
Properties
S.No Specimen Specimen size (mm)
studied
Compressive
1 Cube 100 X 100 X 100
strength
Split tensile
2 Cylinder 100 X 200
strength
Water
3 Cube 100 X 100 X 100
Absorption
4 Flexural Beam 100 X 200 X 2000

4.4 Compressive Strength Test

The compressive strength of concrete cube was determined based on IS: 516
1959. The specimen was placed in the compression testing machine in such a manner
that the load applied should be to the opposite sides of the cubes as cast, that is not to
the top and bottom. The compressive strength test is conducted in the Compression
Testing Machine of 2000 kN capacity, the test set up is shown in Fig 3.1. The test
results are listed in Table 3.4 and Variation of Compressive strength.
Maximum load
Compressive strength = N/mm2
CS area of the cube
Equipment and apparatus required:
Compression testing machine (2000kN)
Curing tank
Balance (0-10kg)

21
Procedure
Representative sample of concrete shall be taken and used for casting
cubes.15cmx15cm x15cm or cylindrical specimen of 15cm diameter x 30 cm
long.
The concrete shall be filled into the moulds in layers approximately 5cm deep it
would be distributed evenly and compacted either by vibration or by hand
tamping.
After the top layer has been compacted the surface of concrete shall be finished
level with the top of the mould using a trowel and covered with a glass plate to
prevent evaporation.
The specimen should be stored at site for 24.5hrs under damp matting or sack.
After that the sample shall be stored in clean water at 77 C until the time of test.
The ends of all cylindrical specimens that are not plan within 0.05mm shall be
capped.
Just prior to testing the cylindrical specimen shall be capped with sulphur
mixture. Comprising 3 parts sulphur to part of inert filler such as fire clay.
Specimen shall be tested immediately on removal from water and while they
are still in wet condition.
The bearing surface of the testing specimen shall be wiped clean and any loose
material removal from the surface. In the case of cubes the specimen shall be
placed in the machine in such a manner that the load cube as cast , that is not to
the top and bottom.
Align the axis of the specimen with the steel platen do not use any packing.
The load shall be applied slowly without shock and increased continuously at a
rate of approximately 140 kg/sq.c.m/min until the resistance of the specimen to
the increased load breaks down and no greater load can be sustained.
22
Fig 4.2 Testing of Cubes in CTM

23
4.5 Split Tensile Strength Test
Representative sample of concrete shall be taken and used for casting cylinder.
cylindrical specimen of 15cm diameter X 30 cm long.
The concrete shall be filled into the moulds in layers approximately 5cm deep it
would be distributed evenly and compacted either by vibration or by hand
tamping.
After the top layer has been compacted the surface of concrete shall be finished
level with the top of the mould using a trowel and covered with a glass plate to
prevent evaporation.
The specimen should be stored at site for 24.5hrs under damp matting or sack.
After that the sample shall be stored in clean water at 77 C until the time of test.
The ends of all cylindrical specimens that are not plan within 0.05mm shall be
capped.
Just prior to testing the cylindrical specimen shall be capped with sulphur
mixture. Comprising 3 parts sulphur to part of inert filler such as fire clay.
Specimen shall be tested immediately on removal from water and while they
are still in wet condition.
The bearing surface of the testing specimen shall be wiped clean and any loose
material removal from the surface. In the case of cubes the specimen shall be
placed in the machine in such a manner that the load cube as cast , that is not to
the top and bottom.
Align the axis of the specimen with the steel platen do not use any packing.
The load shall be applied slowly without shock and increased continuously at a
rate of approximately 140 kg/sq.c.m/min until the resistance of the specimen to
the increased load breaks down and no greater load can be sustained.

24
 Fig 4.3 Split Tensile Test
The splitting tensile strength of concrete cylinder was determined based on
IS:5816 1999. The load shall be applied nominal rate with in the range 1.2
N/(mm2/min) to 2.4 N/(mm2/min)
2P
Split Tensile Strength =
LD
4.6 Water Absorption Test
The water absorption of concrete cube based on ASTM C 642 - 81 was
determined. After curing, Specimens were dried in an oven at 105 C for 24 hours.
The dry specimens were cooled to room temperature and weighed accurately and
noted as dry weight. Dry specimens were immersed in water container.
25
 Weight of the specimens was taken after wiping the surface with dry cloth. This
process was continued not less than 48 hours or up to constant weight was obtained in
two successive observations.

Saturated weight Dry weight

Water absorption = 100%
Dry weight

26
 CHAPTER 5
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
5.1 Compressive Strength Test
Test results of beams under flexure indicate that, the beam with 15% of silica
fume (M6) has the highest load carrying capacity of 45 kN. This is about 1.25
times higher than that of the control beam (CB).
The ultimate load carrying capacity obtained experimentally is greater than the
value obtained theoretically. The first crack appeared at the jack load of 18kN
for M1 beam where as the first crack load was 23 kN for M3 beam which is
27.7% higher than that of the control beam. The ultimate load of M3 beam is
41kN which is 14% higher than that of the ultimate load of the M1.
The inclusion of fiber increases the load carrying capacity for M6 beam about
25% compared with the Control specimen M1 and with the optimum SF content
of 15 % the increment is 5%.

Table 5.1 Compressive Strength Results

% of % of 3 Days 7 Days 28 Days
Mix
SF GF MPa MPa MPa

M2 10 0 40.33 48.75 78.19

M1 0 0 39.28 47.56 77.05

M3 15 0 41.54 52.74 81.32

M4 20 0 40.95 49.85 79.46

M5 10 0.3% 40.85 49.02 78.35

M6 15 0.3% 43.58 54.85 82.59

M7 20 0.3% 41.07 50.03 80.54

27
 90
80
70

Comp 60
Strength 50 3 Days
(MPa) 40 7 Days
30 28 Days
20
10
0
M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7
MIX
Fig 5.1 Variation of Compressive strength at various ages

5.2 Split tensile strength test

Table 5.2 Split Tensile Strength Result
28 Days Theoretical Value
Mix % of SF % of GF
MPa MPa

M1 0 0 5.85 6.14

M2 10 0 6.32 6.19

M3 15 0 6.83 6.31

M4 20 0 6.52 6.24

M5 10 0.3% 6.43 6.20

M6 15 0.3% 6.97 6.36

M7 20 0.3% 6.68 6.28

28
 6.83 6.52 6.97
7 6.32 6.43 6.28
Split
6 5.85
Tensile 5
Strength4
3
2
1
(MPa) 0
M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7
Mix

Fig 5.2 Split tensile strength of various mixes

5.3 Water Absorption Test

Table 5.3 Water Absorption Result
Wet weight Dry weight Water Absorption
Mix % of SF % of GF
of cube (gms) of cube (gms) (%) In 24 Hrs
M1 0 0 2635 2548 3.41
M2 10 0 2658 2569 3.46
M3 15 0 2662 2578 3.26
M4 20 0 2680 2605 2.87
M5 10 0.3% 2701 2620 3.09
M6 15 0.3% 2715 2635 3.04
M7 20 0.3% 2728 2648 3.02

29
 3.5
Water 3
2.5
Absorption
(%) 2
1.5
1
0.5
0
M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7
Mix

Fig 5.3 Water Absorption for various mixes

5.4 Flexure beam test

Table 5.4 Test Results for Flexure Beam
First Ultimate Deflection at
% of Fiber
Specimens Crack Load load Ultimate
SF (%)
(kN) (kN) Load (mm)
M1 0 0 18 36 8.94
M2 10 0 20 38 10.67
M3 15 0 23 41 12.52
M4 20 0 21 40 11.07
M5 10 0.3 21.5 41 11.85
M6 15 0.3 25.5 45 15.67
M7 20 0.3 22.5 42.5 13.45

30
 70

60
45 42.5
L 50 41 41
40
o 38
40 36 25.5
A 23 22.5
30 21 21.5
d 20
18
20

(kN)10
0
M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7
Mix

First Crack Load Ultimate

Load

Fig 5.4 Comparison for First crack load and Ultimate Load

50 M1 (CB)
45
40
35
30
LOAD (kN)

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.5 Load Vs Deflection curve for Flexure Beam (M1)

31
 50 M2 (SF-10%)
45
40
35
30

LOAD (kN)
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.6 Load Vs Deflection curve for Flexure Beam (M2)

50 M3 (SF-15%)
45
40
35
LOAD (kN)

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.7 Load Vs Deflection curve for Flexure Beam (M3)

50 M4 (SF-20%)
45
40
35
LOAD (kN)

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.8 Load Vs Deflection curve for Flexure Beam (M4)

32
 50 M5 (SF-10%)&FIBER-0.3%)
45
40
35
30

LOAD (kN)
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.9 Load Vs Deflection curve for Flexure Beam (M5)

50 M6 (SF-15%)&FIBER-0.3%)
45
40
35
30
LOAD (kN)

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.10 Load Vs Deflection curve for Flexure Beam (M6)

50 M7(SF-20%)&FIBER-0.3%)
45
40
35
30
LOAD (kN)

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.11 Load Vs Deflection curve for Flexure Beam (M7)

33
 60

50

40
M1 (CB)
L 30
M2 (SF-10)
O 20 M3 (SF-15)
A
10 M4 (SF-20)
D
0
KN
0 5 10 15 20

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.12 Load Vs Def curves for Flexure Beam (M1, M2, M3, and M4)

70

60
L
50
O
40
A M1 (CB)
30
D M5(SF-10% & F-0.3%)
(KN) 20 M6(SF-15% & F-0.3%)
10
M7 (SF-20% & F-0.3%)

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

DEFLECTION (mm)

Fig 5.13 Load Vs Def curves for Flexure Beam (M1, M5, M6, and M7)

34
 CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
The addition of silica fume results in a more cohesive concrete which results in
a good concrete which is less prone to segregation.
The M3 mix which is without fiber give maximum compressive strength of
concrete without addition of fiber (ie) 81.32 MPa which is 5.54% greater than
control mix.
It is observed that M6 mix shows the maximum compressive strength. For M6
mix with 15% silica fume and 0.3 % glass fiber, the 28 days compressive
strength is 82.59 MPa which is 7.19% greater than control mix.
The M3 mix which is without fiber give maximum split tensile strength of
concrete without addition of fiber (ie) 6.83 MPa which is 16.75% greater than
control mix.
The M6 mix which is with fiber give maximum tensile strength of concrete
without addition of fiber (ie) 6.97 MPa which is 19.14% greater than control
mix.
Water absorption test shows that when more pozzolanic material is added the
tends to decrease in water absorption about 0.1 to 0.18%.
The inclusion of fiber increases the load carrying capacity for M6 beam about
25% compared with the Control specimen M1 and with the optimum SF content
of 15 % the increment is 14%.
The initial crack is delayed when compared with the beams without inclusion of
fibers.

35
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3. J.M.R. Dotto, A.G. de Abreu, D.C.C. Dal Molin, I.L. Meuller (2003),
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36
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37