Investigations on Mechanical Characteristics and Microstructural Behavior of Laterized High Strength Concrete Mix

The present research focuses on the varying proportion of lateritic fine aggregates in High strength concrete (HSC). Concrete mixes of M60 grade were produced by replacing manufactured sand with laterite in the ratio of 25 to 100 percent (by weight), and properties of the mixes are studied. To attain high strength mix, 10% micro silica and 10% of fly ash (FA) were added to all mixes. Mechanical properties were studied after 7, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing, and laterized specimens achieved approximately 12 percent higher compressive strength than control specimens, whereas the split-tensile and flexural strengths increased up to 11.14% and 12.83%, respectively. The results indicated that 25% substitution of laterite was the optimum percentage in HSC concrete. Microstructural studies of optimum mix and reference mix were conducted at 28 days to better morphological and mineralogical understanding of the laterized HSC. Durability parameters such as water penetration depth, chloride ion permeability, and sorptivity exhibited higher values for laterite mixes than the control mixes. The flexural behavior of Reinforced HSC beams using lateritic aggregates was investigated, and the load-carrying capacity of laterized beams was reported to be 11.3 percent higher than control beams. The study results indicate that HSC can be achieved with partial substitution with lateritic fine aggregates and proves that laterite can replace conventional aggregates.