Abstract:
The principal problem associated with concrete structures is its shrinkage. The development of shrinkage compensating cement in this research is aimed at increasing its volume after setting. This cement consists of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), Calcium sulphoaluminate (C₄A₃S) and fly ash. Chemical reaction of this cement produces expansion to compensate for the shrinkage by means of ettringite crystal. This crystal, as the product from hydration reaction of C₄A₃S, produces internal pressures by pushing cement particles apart, and thus overall volume is increased. Raw materials for producing this expansive agent are hydroxides of aluminium, limestone and gypsum in a proper basic chemical reaction with sintering at high temperature. Appropriate proportions have been developed by experimental study varying the expansive agent (EX) 1-15% by weight of OPC to obtain shrinkage compensation and improve the concretes properties by replacing cement with fly ash at amounts of 15-30%. The results have shown that shrinkage can be reduced by the effect of ettringite expansion. The appropriate amount of expansive agent to produce shrinkage compensating cement is around 10% by weight of OPC resulting in a shrinkage reduction of 85% for cement paste, 80% for mortar and 75% for concrete. However, the workability of concrete is reduced by the use of expansive agent. Replacement of cement with fly ash can reduce a certain amount of shrinkage by means of cement replacement. Also, fly ash in the mixture can contribute to its strength at a later age because of pozzolanic reaction after 2 weeks. The optimum amount of fly ash has been found to be 15-20% substitutions in order to improve workability and control early strength. The amount of calcium hydroxide in the mixture would be reduced by 10% with an increase in fly ash by 5%.