Improving the Mechanical Properties of High-Performance Concrete using Alccofine and Glass Powder

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Ranganathar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India
² Department of Civil Engineering, Mangalam College of Engineering, Kottayam, Kerala, India
³ Department of Civil Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr.Sagunthala R*D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

^* Corresponding author: sureshkumara@sriet.ac.in

Abstract

The CO2 emissions from cement have had significant negative consequences on the environment, necessitating the substitution of cement in the production of concrete. This research tends to cover the mechanical characteristics and microstructural studies of concrete formed by replacing some of the cement with Alccofine (AL) by percentages of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% and some of fine aggregate with Glass Powder (GP) by percentages of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% in the concrete of the M40 grade. A pozzolanic substance called alccofine and high silica content material called glass powder was extensively utilized in the building industry. When the mechanical properties of concrete were tested at various time periods, the optimal partial cement and fine aggregate substitution was determined to be 20% Alccofine and 50% of Glass Powder. When compared to conventional concrete of the same ratio, the compressive strength of the concrete has been enhanced at 20 percent replacement of AL and 50 percent replacement of GP. Moreover, concrete was subjected to a microstructural examination to observe the hydration process at various time intervals, and the results clearly demonstrated how pores and C-S-H (calcium-silicate hydrate) gel are created in both early ages and later ages. According to the study's findings, cement may be replaced in part without impairing its properties and can help lessen the impact of CO2 on the environment.