Title:
Abrasion Resistance of Fine Aggregate-Replaced Silica Fume Concrete
Author(s):
Nader Ghafoori and Hamidou Diawara
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
96
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
559-569
Keywords:
abrasion resistance; compressive strength; durability; silica fume; wear
DOI:
10.14359/658
Date:
9/1/1999
Abstract:
This investigation evaluates the resistance to abrasion of concrete proportioned to have four levels of fine aggregate replacement (5, 10, 15, and 20 percent) with silica fume, a byproduct of the silicon metal and ferrosilicon industry. Control mixes containing no silica fume are also used for comparison purposes. Three cement factors, namely, 500, 650, and 800 pcy, and two water-cementitious materials ratios (w/cm) (0.325 and 0.40) are employed. The fresh and bulk characteristics such as slump, air content, time of setting, bleeding, unit weight, and compressive strength are examined to characterize the selected matrices. The standard testing method ASTM C 779, Procedure C, Ball Bearing, is utilized to ascertain the resistance to wear. The influence of silica fume addition, cement factor, w/cm, and curing age are studied. The relationship between depth of wear and compressive strength is also presented. Finally, the fresh properties, compressive strength (and strength development), and abrasion resistance of the fine aggregate-replaced silica fume concretes are compared with those of the reference mixes. Laboratory test results conclude that the resistance to wear of concrete containing silica fume as a fine aggregate replacement was consistently better with increasing amounts of silica fume up to 10 percent. The abrasion resistance and compressive strength decreased with increases in w/cm, and improved with increases in cement factor and curing age. Both compressive strength and resistance to wear of fine aggregate-replaced silica fume concretes (at all levels of fine aggregate replacement) were better than those exhibited by the equivalent control matrixes. There was a statistically significant correlation between the depth of wear (a dependent variable) and compressive strength (an independent parameter).