Title:
Influence of Cement Blend and Aggregate Type on the Stress-Strain Behavior and Elastic Modulus of Concrete
Author(s):
M. G. Alexander and T. I. Milne
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
92
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
227-235
Keywords:
aggregates; cements; concretes; modulus of elasticity; stress-strain relationships; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1114
Date:
5/1/1995
Abstract:
This paper presents an experimental investigation in which four aggregate types--granite, dolomite, andesite and quartzite--were used in concretes made with four cement types: ordinary portland cement (OPC) and blends of OPC with silica fume, slag, and fly ash. The influence of these mix variables on short-term stress-strain behavior and concrete elastic modulus (E) was assessed. The results showed clearly that E was markedly dependent on aggregate and cement type, and that age played an important role. Andesite and dolomite gave considerably stiffer concretes than granite or quartzite. Silica fume had the effect of producing concretes of similar or slightly greater stiffness than OPC, but slag and fly ash reduced stiffness, particularly at early ages, on an equal strength or water-cement ratio basis. The most plausible mechanism to explain the results would be that silica fume densifies the interfacial zone between paste and aggregate, while slag and fly ash do not have the same ability in this regard as silica fume. A practical design approach for engineers to estimate concrete E for the various combinations of materials is also given.