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The role of silica fume in the direct tensile strength of cement-based materials

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Abstract

The direct tensile strength of silica fume cement paste and mortar were evaluated at various water-cementitious content ratios. Four different water-cementitious content ratios of 0.22, 0.25, 0.28, and 0.31 were used, and three contents of silica fume, 8%, 16%, and 25% by mass of cement. Superplasticizer content was adjusted for each mix to ensure that no segregation would occur.

Results show that partial replacement of cement by 8% of silica fume resulted in an increase in the tensile strength of mortar, but showed no effect on the tensile strength of cement paste. The replacement of cement by a higher dosage of silica fume (16 and 25%) resulted in a decrease in the tensile strength of both cement paste and mortar. However, this reduction was higher in cement paste than in mortar. It was also demonstrated that superplasticizer in combination with silica fume plays a more effective role in mortar than in paste mixes. This can be attributed to a more efficient utilization of superplasticizer in the mortar mixes due to better dispersion of the silica fume particles.

The direct tensile strength was evaluated using a new hydraulic tensile testing technique. The technique measures the intrinsic tensile strength of the cement-based composites by producing a uniform tensile stress along the length of the specimen, and thus minimizes misalignment and stress concentration at gripping. A brief description of this technique is presented in this paper.

Résumé

La résistance à la traction directe de la pâte de ciment-fumée de silice et de mortier a été évaluée pour différents rapports eau/ciment. Quatre rapports eau/ciment ont été utilisés, 0,22, 0,25, 0,28, 0,31, avec un dosage de fumée de silice en pourcentage de ciment de 8%, 16%, et 25%. Pour chaque formulation, le dosage du superplastifiant a été ajusté afin d'éviter la ségation.

Les résultats ont montré qu'un remplacement partiel de timent de 8% de fumée de silice engendre une augmentation de la résistance à la traction du mortier, mais aucun effet sur la résistance à la traction de la pâte de ciment. Le remplacement de ciment par un important dosage de fumée de silice (16% et 25%) résulte une diminution de la résistance à traction du mortier ainsi que la pâte du ciment. Cette diminution a été plus importante dans le cas de ciment que dans celui du mortier. Il est aussi démontré que l'utilisation du superplastifiant avec fumée de silice joue un rôle plus efficace dans le mortier que dans la pâte de ciment. Cela peut être attribué à une meilleure dispersion des particules de fumée de silice dans le mortier.

La résistance à la traction directe à été déterminée en utilisant un nouveau système hydraulique «hydraulique tensile testion technique». Cette technique permet de mesurer la contrainte intrinsèque de traction du composite en exerçant une contrainte de traction uniforme le long de l'éprouvette, qui permet de minimiser la concentration des contraintes à l'ancrage de l'éprouvette. Cette nouvelle technique est décrite dans cet article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Alabama in Huntsville, 35899, Huntsville, AL, (USA)

    H. A. Toutanji & L. Liu

  2. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 01609, Worcester, MA, (USA)

    T. El-Korchi

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  1. H. A. Toutanji
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  2. L. Liu
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  3. T. El-Korchi
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Toutanji, H.A., Liu, L. & El-Korchi, T. The role of silica fume in the direct tensile strength of cement-based materials. Mat. Struct. 32, 203–209 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481516

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481516

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