Title: Examples of Silica Fume Usage in Cyprus

Author(s): M. N. Soutsos, F. Panteli, and K. Kyriacou

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 18

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 37-42

Keywords: compressive strength; corrosion; durability; mix proportioning; silica fume; Construction

DOI:

Date: 4/1/1996

Abstract:
Silica fume (SF), a by-product of silicon-metal production in the form of glassy microspheres containing over 90 percent SiO 2, has recently attracted much attention because of its incorporation in the high strength concrete mixtures used for high rise buildings, e.g., (i) the Pacific First Center in Seattle with concrete of 56-day mean compressive strength of 124 Mpa, and (ii) the Trianon building in Frankfurt with concrete design strength of 85 MPa, and for the North Sea oil platforms, e.g., Condeep SP Gullfaks C with concrete of 28-day mean compressive strength of 83 MPa. Other than the increased strengths, the use of SF improves concrete properties by (i) reducing the alkali-silica reactivity of concrete, e.g., the cements in Iceland, where most of the aggregates are reactive, contain 7.5 percent SF, (ii) providing better protection to reinforcement against chloride-induced corrosion, and (iii) improving the concrete s resistance to sulfate attack.