Experimental Study on Partial Replacement of Cement by Silica Fume with Glass Fiber in M25 Grade Concrete: Effect of Cement Replacement and Fiber Addition on Properties of M25 Concrete

Abstract

Concrete, the most widely used construction material has several desirable properties like high compressive strength, stiffness, durability under usual environmental factors. At the same time concrete is brittle and weak in tension. Efforts are being made in the field of concrete technology to develop high performance concretes by using fibers and other admixtures in concrete up to certain proportions. Over the decades, there has been a significant increase in the use of fiber and silica fume in concrete for improving its properties. The addition of silica fume depicts early strength gaining property and that of glass fiber control the cracking due to shrinkage. The study has been made to evaluate the effect on fresh properties and mechanical properties of M25 grade concrete made with the partial replacement of cement with silica fume at percentages as 5%, 10% and 15% with glass fiber of 6mm length at various percentages as 1%, 2% and 3% by the volume of cement. For each mix, standard sizes of cubes(150mm X 150mm X 150mm) were casted and tested for compressive strength at the age of 7, 14 and 28 days. The obtained values can be compared with the corresponding value of conventional concrete. The addition of silica fume shows early strength gaining property and that of glass fiber control the cracking due to shrinkage. The results are satisfactory for the use of 10% silica fume and 2% glass fiber in conventional M25 Concrete.