Study of Hydration Kinetics and Volume Stability in Self-Compacting Cementitious System Using Granite Powders

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most extensively used building materials which consume high energy and it causes significant environmental pollution. The present study is targeted to investigate the dilution of cement by granite powders to probe their effects upon reducing the adverse environmental effects of concrete. Huge amount of waste powders is produced during cutting and processing of granite rocks and they pose adverse environmental hazards. Consequently, it’s the need of the hour to explore versatile solutions for disposal of these wastes. Present study is an attempt to makes use of such waste in the concrete to make it an environment-friendly material, and the research work lies in the zone of making sustainable concrete by utilizing granite powders in self-consolidating paste systems. Two types of granite powder were used and their properties, prior to their mixing in concrete, were evaluated by employing XRD, XRF, SEM, EDX and particle size analysis tests. After evaluating properties of powders, they were used as partial replacement of cement. Seven formulations were casted containing granite Black and white powders as 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% replacements. The fresh tests conducted, were water demand, SP contents required for the desired flow, shrinkage, calorimetry, and initial and final setting time, while the hardened properties were investigated by performing compression, flexural, SEM, EDX, and Thermal analysis after casting in prism molds, which were cured till the required date of tests in water at temperature of 20+2 °C. The results indicate that 10% replacement give positive response subjected to granite powder grounded to a sufficient fineness level. Heat of hydration and shrinkage got reduced due to filler effect, angular shape of particles and internal friction.