CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Ultra high strength concrete or UHSC is one of the latest advancements in concrete technology.

This type of concrete mixes usually has a strength more than 100 MPa. UHSC is not common in our country. The main aim of this project is to make UHSC mixes economically with locally available materials. It includes cement, fine quartz sand, silica fume, steel fibers and high range water reducing admixture. It contains no coarse aggregates and it bears a very low water cement ratio. Steel fibers provide ductility to UHSC. It is not only stronger than other concrete mixes, but also more durable due to the reduced water cement ratio and thereby reduced porosity. When used in optimum dosages, the HRWRA reduces the water cement ratio while improving the workability of concrete. The addition of micro silica or silica fume enhances the mechanical property of the paste.

CHAPTER 2: OBJECTIVES To make ultra high strength concrete mix with locally available materials To obtain a concrete of improved strength, durability and ductility To determine compressive strength, flexural strength and splitting tensile strength etc of UHSC To find the variation in the strength by varying the amount of silica fume CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY Materials Type I/II Portland Cement, Silica fume, Quartz sand(600 m). Steel fiber were 13 mm long and .8mm diameter(aspect ratio =16.25). To achieve workability ,HRWRA(Cemix CP 2150) was used.

Figure 1: Silica fume

Figure 2: Steel fiber

Water cement ratio As the water cement ratio was very low, trials were done before fixing the mix proportion. w/c ratios adopted were 0.15,0.25,0.30. When 0.15 was adopted, a very harsh mix was obtained. At 0.25 also, required workability was not obtained. At 0.30, a good workable mix was obtained. So a w/c ratio of 0.30 was adopted. The mix proportions of other components are given below.

Table 1: Mix proportions Constituents Mix proportion Without steel fibers Cement Silica fume Quartz sand Steel fibers Superplasticizer 0.1 1 0.25 & 0.5 1.1 With steel fibers 1 0.25 & 0.5 1.1 0.175 0.1

CHAPTER 4: WORK PROCEDURE Tests on cement Specific gravity Specific gravity of cement was determined by Le-Chatliers flask method. 60g of the particular brand and grade of cement was taken. Kerosene was filled in the flask up to 0.5ml. then the 60g of cement was gradually and carefully poured into the flask. After pouring it, the increase in the kerosene level was taken. Specific gravity of cement = w/(v1-v2) Where, W weight of cement V1- initial level V2-final level Specific gravity of cement was obtained as 2.9. Tests on sand Specific gravity of quartz sand was obtained by conducting tests using pyconometer. Pycocnoeter was filled with 500g of quartz sand and weighed and water was added. It is then weighed and noted as w. then the pyconometer was emptied and water was filled to the same level. Weight was taken and noted as w1. Then the sample of sand was dried and weighed, noted as w2 Sp.gravity= w2/(w2-(w-w1)) Thus the specific gravity was obtained as 2.63 Concrete mixes There were four mixes. The first mix consist of cement, sand, silica fume, super plasticizer. It does not contain steel fibers. 0.25% of silica fume is added. The second mix consist of the same proportions and amount of silica fume, but it contains steel fibers. The third mix is similar to that of first mix except that the percentage of silica
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fume is increased to 0.5%. the fourth mix contains all the constituents of third mix along with steel fibers. Specimen preparation First the cement and quartz sand of required amount was mixed thoroughly. Then silica fume is added to it and mixed till a homogeneous mix was formed. Then 75% of the water was added and mixed thoroughly and superplasticizer was added and then the remaining 25% of the water was added and mixed well. Compressive strength specimens included 150mm cubes and cylinder with 150 mm dia and 300 mm height. Cylinder specimens were cast to determine the splitting tensile strength. Beam specimens of size 50x50x150 were used o determine flexural strength. Curing regimen For curing, concrete specimens were cured at room temperature for the first 24 hours. After that concrete specimens were placed in water for 28 days of curing. After completing the curing period specimens were tested for compressive strength using compression testing machine. Compressive strength test It was carried out to determine the compressive strength of specimens of concrete cubes. A 2000 KN capacity compression testing machine was used. Splitting tensile strength test Indirect tension test or splitting tensile strength test was performed to determine the tensile strength of concrete mixes using cylindrical specimens. A 200 KN capacity compression testing machine was used. Flexural strength test This test method evaluates the flexural strength of the beam specimen using flexural strength testing machine.

CHAPTER 5: WORKS COMPLETED Cubes without steel fibers and 0.25%silica fume were casted. 14 day compressive strength was determined and it is found to be 31.5 MPa

CHAPTER 6: WORKS TO BE DONE Casting of cubes with steel fibers. Casting of cylinders and beam with and without steel fibers. Flexural strength test and splitting tensile strength test with and without steel fibers are to be determined. Compressive strength with and without steel fibers are to be determined. Results are to be analyzed and consolidated.