Some Studies On Cement And High Density Concrete

Abstract

Cement is the most used building material on the planet earth and is responsible for 8% of newlinethe total CO2 released. With the estimated increase in population in the coming decades newlineand infrastructure needs, a surge in cement demand is expected. Approach while solving newlinethis problem needs to be restructured to enhance the quality while meeting the demand and newlinekeeping the carbon foot-print intact or lower for a given volume of production. This work newlineintroduces a novel approach to increase efficiency of the cement with particle size newlineengineering. Since raw materials used in cement production vary in quality across the newlineglobe, the only feasible method of enhancement is through modification of mechanical newlineparameters such as particle size and their distribution as one of the cost effective newlinemechanisms. The study details an experiment on cement and concrete using a quotStimulatorquot newlineto OPC. It s content was varied between 0 and 100 per cent in the intervals of 10%. newlineThe optimum dosage of the stimulator was found from the results of tests conducted, such newlineas water requirement, setting times, the heat of hydration, chemical shrinkage and newlinecompressive strength parameters. Despite the reduction in the average particle size of newlinecement by 38 to 47%, water requirement has shown a nominal rise of 10 to 17% for S40 to newlineS50 cement mixes, respectively. For a known strength of concrete, 20-25% lesser quantity newlineof stimulated cement was required (optimum dosage of stimulator) as against the concrete newlinecontaining convetional OPC. This reduction in the requirement of cement quantity for a newlinegiven volume leads to lower cost and lower amount of CO2 released. Implementation of newlinethis method of cement production does not require the introduction of new machinery. newlineStimulated cement portrayed a double peak PSD arrangement unlike OPC with a single newlinepeak, thus representing the participation of 2 sets of particles in the process of enhanced newlinehydration. The outcome of the study was used in developing High density and high newlinestrength concrete. The single specific notable achievement is its early strength to an extent newlineof 80% in a single day over the OPC. Durability tests conducted on concrete samples with newlinethe optimum dosage of stimulator and OPC have depicted better durability than concrete newlinesamples with conventional OPC.