Some Properties of Modified Reactive Powder Concrete

Abstract

The term reactive powder concrete (RPC) has been used to describe a fibre reinforced , superplasticized, silica fume- cement mixture with very low water-cement ratio, characterized by the presence of very fine quartz sand (0.15-0.4mm) instead of ordinary aggregate. Fibres are incorporated in RPC in order to enhance the fracture properties of the composite material. In this investigation modified RPC with crushed graded natural aggregate (maximum size 12.5mm) has been produced. High compressive strength of 150 MPa can be achieved by using crushed coarse aggregate; this result is in contrast with the model proposed to relate the high compressive strength level of RPC to the absence of coarse aggregate. Modified RPC reinforced with different types (crimped and hooked) and volume fractions (0%, 0.5%, and 1%) of steel fibres has a good performance in terms of high strength (Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of rupture, impact strength) and static modulus of elasticity.