Influence of Silica Fume on Different Mechanical Properties of Concrete

It is a usual practice in the present days to produce the high strength as well as high performance concrete by the use of silica fume; the industrial by-product, into the conventional concrete. The mix design variables are augmented as the silica fume is incorporated in conventional concrete; hence the mix proportioning is becoming multifaceted. The foremost intention of this paper is to study the different mechanical properties mainly on workability and strength. Slump and compacting factor tests are performed for workability and compressive strength test only is performed for strength of silica fume concrete. For this paper 5 (five) mixes of silica fume concrete are used to cast for experiments. Different cement replacement levels by silica fume for a single invariable water-cementitious materials ratio of 0.45 are used on experimentations while other mix design variables are kept constant. The cement replacement levels by silica fume are 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% for only water-cementitious materials (w/cm) ratio of 0.45. Compacting factors and slumps are evaluated for all mixes of concrete. Compressive strengths are evaluated at 24 hours, 7 and 28 days for 100 and 150 mm cubes.