EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF COMPONENT

INTERACTION IN CONCRETE

A PROJECT REPORT

Submitted by

HARISH.R – 411711103006

SATHYANARAYANAN.R – 411711103031

VANCHINATHAN.M – 411711103039

GUIDED BY – Ms. SNEKHA.G

in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree

of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING

in

CIVIL ENGINEERING

PRINCE SHRI VENKATESHWARA PADMAVATHY ENGINEERING

COLLEGE, PONMAR, CHENNAI – 600127

ANNA UNIVERSITY: CHENNAI 600025

APRIL 2015

ABSTRACT

This project focuses on increasing the characteristic compressive strength of

concrete through the simplest and cheapest means possible. To achieve this, the

interaction of components present in the concrete are to be studied and with this

information, minor micro level changes can be made to enhance the performance of

concrete. These micro level changes include reducing the Interfacial transition zone

in concrete by changing the physical or chemical properties of aggregate, sand and

water to increase the adhesive bond between them. The enhancement of the

aggregate – cement matrix bond will be attempted by increasing the surface area of

the aggregate, the roughness and bringing down the particle size at the surfaces. The

gradation of the concrete mixture will be attempted to be increased by using smaller

aggregates and larger sand particles. The properties of water will be attempted to be

altered by increasing the surface energy of the aggregates and by reducing the

contact angle of the water, eventually leading to more wettability and spreading,

resulting in more efficient interaction. These theories will be experimentally tested

and the results will be analysed. If successful, the best composition of these

alterations which will be the most suitable for concrete, will be known and the

efficiency of concrete would have increased by the cheapest means possible, without

any expensive chemical admixtures or extra materials added.

SCOPE

This project is an experimental study of the component interaction in concrete.

Irrespective of the results, this project will provide a clearer view of the internal

workings of cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate which can be used for

future experiments and innovations.

If successful, this project is a breakthrough in concrete technology. The possibility

of producing a High Performance Concrete without chemical admixtures or extra

materials will be widely accepted. The compressive strength of the concrete will be

significantly increased.

This process can be used more efficiently in prestressed concrete, as the concrete is

subjected to more compressive stress than tensile.

This lowers the production cost by eliminating expensive admixtures and the

addition of steel fibres, elastomers, etc.

In another point of view, if the resultant High Performance Concrete, which itself

has a high compressive strength, is combined with the perfect composition of

admixtures and materials, then the final product will be more efficient by large

percentages.

OBJECTIVES

1. To increase the surface area of the aggregate.

2. To decrease the particle size at the surface of the aggregate.

3. To reduce the size of the Interfacial Transition Zone.

4. To increase the gradation of concrete to make it more homogeneous.

5. To increase surface energy and decrease the contact angle of water

added by using surfactants.

METHODOLOGY

1. Analysis of Cracks and Failure patterns.

2. Analysis of aggregate structure.

3. Increasing efficiency of aggregate.

4. Testing theory.

5. Analysis of cement sand interaction.

6. Increasing gradation of sand.

7. Testing

8. Analysis of water - cement interaction.

9. Reducing the wall effect.

10. Identifying perfect surfactant.

11. Testing theory.

12. Finding perfect composition.

LITERATURE REVIEW

1. The report “Failure Theories and Concrete Plasticity” is a part of the

series “Mechanics and Design of Concrete Structures” done by Prof. Oral

Buyukozturk.

2. “Concrete Fracture analysis” by the authors in Wikipedia.

3. The report “The correlation between aggregate shape and compressive

strength of concrete” of IJSCER was done by Rýza Polat, Mehrzad

Mohabbi Yadollahi., et.all.

4. The report “Aggregate Paste/ Bond” was done by the researchers in “Dams

of Africa” project.

5. The report “Surface preparation for improved adhesion” published by

“March plasma Systems”

6. The report on “Surfactant Chemistry and general phase behaviour” by

Bristol University.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Week 1: Analysis of Cracks and Failure patterns, Analysis of aggregate structure.

Week 2: Analysis of cement sand interaction, Analysis of water cement interaction.

Week 3: Increasing efficiency of aggregate and gradation of sand techniques.

Week 4: Identifying perfect natural surfactant for water, Reducing wall effect.

Week 5: Casting and testing.