Reactive powder concrete

By…..G.Shivakrishna,B,Tech 2nd Year,

Civil engineering.

Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) was developed in France in the early 1990s and the world’s first Reactive Powder Concrete structure, the Sherbrooke Bridge in Canada, was erected in July 1997.

The concept of reactive powder concrete was first developed by P. Richard and M. Cheyrezy and RPC was first produced in the early 1990s by researchers at Bouygues’ laboratory in France

Introduction

A field application of RPC was done on the Pedestrian/Bikeway Bridge in the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada3.

 RPC was nominated for the 1999 Nova Awards from the Construction Innovation Forum. RPC has been used successfully for isolation and containment of nuclear wastes in Europe due to its excellent impermeability.

Cementitions materials. Natural aggregates. Artificial aggregates. Fibers Superplasticizer. RPC is composed of very fine powders

(cement, sand, quartz powder and silica fume), steel fibres (optional) and superplasticizer

Composition of R.P.C

 It uses extensively the pozzolanic properties of highly refined silica fume and optimization of the Portland cement chemistry to produce the highest strength hydrates

This compactness gives RPC ultra-high strength and durability6. Reactive Powder Concretes have compressive strengths ranging from 200 MPa to 800 MPa

The major parameter that decides the quality of the mixture is its water demand (quantity of water for minimum flow of concrete).

After selecting a mixture design according to minimum water demand, optimum water content is analyzed using the parameter relative density (d0/dS).

Microstructure enhancement of RPC is done by heat curing.

Preparation

Steel fibres are generally added to RPC to enhance its ductility. Straight steel fibres used typically are about 13 mm long, with a diameter of 0.15 mm in ratio of 1.5 and 3% by volume.

The superplasticizer, used at its optimal dosage, decreases the water to cement ratio (w/c) while improving the workability of the concrete.

Compressive strength of RPC &HPC

Steel fibers composition

No Code! RPC replace steel in compression

memberswhere durability issues risk. So long term properties are not known yet.

Limitations of RPC

Benefits Self-placing, requires no internal

vibration.Self-placing, requires no internal vibration.

Structures needing light and thincomponents and anything that needs extracomponents and anything that needs extrasafety or security such as blast resistantsafety or security such as blast resistantstructures.structures

RPC has ultra dense micro structure ,giving advantageous water proofing &giving advantageous water proofing &durability characteristics.durability characteristics.

It has immense potential in constructiondue to its superior, mechanical &durability properties

Conclusion

Some RPC Diagrams/Pictures

Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Shawnessy Light Rail Transit Station in Iowa (2004) First UHPC Bridge in U.S.

Sherbrooke pedestrian bridge, in Canada.