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The Mechanical Properties of Concrete Incorporating Silica Fume as Partial

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 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2015)
The Mechanical Properties of Concrete Incorporating Silica
Fume as Partial Replacement of Cement
Hanumesh B M1, B K Varun2, Harish B A3
1
Post graduate student, University B D T College of Engineering, Davangere, Karnataka, India
2,3
Assistant Professor, G M Institute of Technology, Davangere, Karnataka, India
Abstract-- Concrete is the most important engineering
material and the addition of some other materials may change
the properties of concrete. With increase in trend towards the
wider use of concrete for prestressed concrete and high rise
buildings there is a growing demand of concrete with higher
compressive strength. Mineral additions which are also
known as mineral admixtures have been used with cements
for many years. Silica fume particles are 100 times smaller
than the average cement particle. Its handling and disposal is
a point of concern because of the environment concerns. Silica
fume is usually categorized as a supplementary cementitious
material. These materials exhibit pozzolanic properties,
cementitious properties and a combination of both properties.
Due to these properties, it can affect the concrete behavior in
many ways. In the present work, an attempt has been made to
use silica fume as a supplementary material for cement and to
evaluate the limit of replacement of cement for M20 grade
concrete. The main aim of this work is to study the
mechanical properties of M20 grade control concrete and
silica fume concrete with different percentages (5, 10, 15 and
20%) of silica fume as a partial replacement of cement.
Keywords-- Silica Fume, Pozzolanic, Mix-Design,
Compressive strength, Split Tensile Strength.
I. INTRODUCTION
Concrete is one of the most common material used in the
construction industry. In the past few years, many research
and modifications has been done to produce concrete which
has the desired characteristics. There is always a search for
concrete with higher strength and durability. Particularly
mineral admixtures are indispensable in production of high
strength concrete for practical application. The use of
mineral admixtures as a pozzolana has increased worldwide
attention over the recent years because when properly used
it as certain percent, it can enhance various properties of
concrete both in the fresh as well as in hardened states like
cohesiveness, strength, permeability and durability. The
best mineral admixtures in optimum proportions mixed
with OPC improves many qualities of concrete such as
lowers the heat of hydration, increases the watertightness,
reduces alkali-aggregate reaction, improves workability
and resistance to attack by sulphate soils, sea water.
270
Silica fume, also referred to as micro silica or condensed
silica fume, is used as an artificial pozzlanic admixture. It
is the product resulting from reduction of high purity quartz
with coal in an electric arc furnace in the manufacture of
silicon or ferrosilicon alloy. Silica fume rises as an
oxidized vapour. It cools, condenses and is collected in
cloth bags. It is further processed to remove impurities and
to control particle size. Condensed silica fume is essentially
silicon dioxide (more than 90%) in noncrystalline form.
Since it is airborne material like fly ash, it has spherical
shape. It is extremely fine with particle size less than 1
micron and with an average diameter of about 0.1 micron,
about 100 times smaller than average cement particles.
Silica fume has specific surface area of about 20000m2/kg ,
as against 230 to 300m2/kg.
II. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The following are the main objective of the study
a) To evaluate the compressive strength of control concrete
of grade M20 and silica fume concrete produced by
replacing cement in different percentage.
b) To evaluate the split tensile strength of control concrete
of grade M20 and silica fume concrete produced by
replacing cement in different percentage.
III. LITERATURE REVIEW
Many researchers have been studied the effect of
replacement of cement by silica fume on strength and
durability aspects of concrete.
K.C.Biswal and Suresh Chandra Sadangi their
journal entitled “Effect of superplasticizer and silica
fume on properties of concrete” (March 2011).
Nowadays high strength and high performance concrete are
widely used in many civil engineering constructions. To
produce them it is required to reduce the water/powder
ratio and increase the binder content. Superplasticizers are
commonly used to achieve the workability. Silica fume is
one of the popular pozzolanas used in concrete to get
improved properties.
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2015)
The use of silica fume in conjuction with
superplastisizers has become the backbone of high strength
and high performance concrete. An experimental program
has been carried out to study the effect of superplasticizer
alone and in conjuction with silica fume on some of the
properties of fresh and harden of concrete.
Figure 1: Variation of compressive strength with varying percentage
of SF
The following conclusions may be made from the
present investigation of the replacement of cement silica
fume and use of superplasticizer on fresh and harden
concrete properties.
 The water cement ratio reduces by 23% in concrete by
using superplasticizer ( 1% by weight of cement) for a
constant range of slump 80 to 85mm.
 The compressive strength of concrete is increased by
use of silica fume upto 20% replacement of cement.
 The flexural strength of concrete is increased by use
of silica fume upto 15% replacement of cement.
Hassan A. Mohamadienin their journal entitled “The
Effect of marble powder and silica fume as partial
replacement for cement on mortar” (2012). The possibility
of using marble powder and silica fume (S.F) separately as
partial replacement of cement on mortar were studied and
evaluated based upon the percentage of the partial cement
replacement with both marble powder and silica fume
separately. Four types of mortar mixture with same
workability, cement to sand ratio of 1:3 and water to
cementitious materials ratio of 0.4 were prepared marble
powder and silica fume used in mixes separately, once as a
partial replacement of cement content and another as an
addition to the mix proportion. Replacement and addition
ratio of both marble powder and silica fume with cement
content separately at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30% and 50
% by weight were investigated.
271
The mechanical properties of mortar were measured in
terms of compressive strength at 7 and 28 days and it was
observed that the strength developments at 7, and 28 days
and the highest development rate of compressive strength
was observed at 15% replacement ratio for each the marble
powder and silica fume separately. Results showed that the
compressive strength increased by 31.4%, 48.3% at 7, and
28 days respectively at 15% replacement ratio of silica
fume with cement content and in case of replacement
marble powder with cement content the compressive
strength increased by 22.7%, 27.8% at 7, and 28 days at
15% replacement ratio of marble powder with cement
content respectively.
Due to analysis of the tests results, the maximum value
for compressive strength was obtained with the use of 15%
silica fume as a partial replacement and the percentage of
the increasing 48.3%. The compressive strength of mortar
is decreased when Silica fumes contents used as a partial
replacement with percentage higher than 15%. The
compressive strength of mortar increased when Silica
fumes contents used as an addition with percentage 5%,
10%, 15% and is almost comparable at percentage higher
than 15 %. Using marble powder up to 15% as an additive
materials enhancement the compressive strength up to
31.5%. Marble powder can be used as alternative materials
for silica fume in mortar.
Faseyemi Victor Ajileye in their papers entitled
“Investigations on Microsilica (Silica Fume) As Partial
Cement Replacement in Concrete” (January 2012).
Studies have been carried out to investigate the possibility
of utilizing abroad range of materials as partial replacement
materials for cement in the production of concrete. This
study investigated the strength properties of Silica fume
concrete.
The specific gravity and chemical composition of silica
fume and cement were replaced with micro silica from 0 to
25% in steps of 5% by weight, mix proportioning was
based on 1:2:4 mix ratio. Cubes (150 x 150 x 150 mm)
were produced and cured in a curing tank for 3, 7, 14 and
28 days. The cubes were subjected to compressive strength
tests after density determination at 3,7,14 and 28 days
respectively. The chemical composition and physical
composition of micro silica and cement were determined.
Ordinary Portland cement was replaced with silica fume.
The total amount of Tricalcium aluminate in the cement
was 7.7% and this was above the requirement. (Specified
by BS12/EN196:1996),others chemical compositions for
silica fume such as SiO2, moisture content, loss of ignition,
carbon, > 45 micron, bulk density.
Also % chemical composition and physical properties
for SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3,CaO, MgO, SO3, Alkalis ( Na2O
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2015)
+ 0.658K2O), loss of ignition (Lo1), insoluble residue (IR), Table. 1:
Tricalcium, silicate, Dicalcium silicate, CaO / SiO2, Physical properties of cement
chloride, fineness (Blaine air permeability test) in Cm2/g, Experimental
soundness (mm) were in compliance with BS Standard. Particulars As per standard
result
The density of the concrete decreased with increased in Soundness
percentage of micro silica replacement up to 10%. Increase 1.00 mm 10 mm
(Le chatlier mould)
in the level of micro silica fume replacement between 15% Setting time (minutes)
to 25% led to a reduction in the compressive strength of Initial set 61min 30min (minimum)
hardened concrete. The test was carried out conforming to 600min
BS EN: 12390 – 3: 2009 to obtain compressive strength of Final set 240min
(maximum)
C30 grade of concrete. The compressive strength of high Comp.strength
strength concrete with OPC and silica fume concrete at the (MPa)
age of 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. 3 days 20.79MPa 16MPa (minimum)
7 days 36.22MPa 22MPa (minimum)
28 days 45.93MPa 43MPa (minimum)
Temperature during
27.810C 270C±20C
testing
Fine Aggregate
The sand used for this project was locally procured and
conformed to grading zone ІІІ as per IS: 383-1970. The
specific gravity of fine aggregate was found to be 2.89.
and Fineness modulus 2.3. Water absorption was found to
be 1.2%. And free moisture content was 0.36%.
Table 2:
Sieve analysis of fine aggregate
Figure 2: Relationship between compressive strength with varying
percentage of micro silica Cumulative
Sieve Weight Cumulative Cumulative
Weight
Cement replacement upto 10% with silica fume leads to size retained percentage percentage
retained,
(mm) (gm) retained passing
increase in compressive strength, for C30 grade of (gm)
concrete. From 15%, there is decrease in compressive 4.75 3 3 0.3 99.7
strength for 3,7,14 and 28 days curing period. It was 2.36 18 21 2.1 97.9
observed that the compressive strength of C30 grade of 1.18 172 193 19.3 80.7
concrete is increased from 16.15% to 29.24% and 0.60 151 344 34.4 65.6
decreased from 23.98% to 20.22%. the maximum 0.30 450 794 79.4 20.6
replacement level of silica fume is 10% for C30 grade of
concrete. 0.15 165 959 95.9 4.1
Pan 41 1000 100 0
IV. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY The fine aggregate belongs to zone III
Cement (as per IS: 383-1970)
In this present work Ultratech cement of 43garde F.M. = 231.4/100 = 2.314
ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was used for casting cubes Coarse Aggregate
and cylinder for all concrete mixes. The cement was of
Locally available coarse aggregates having the
uniform colour i.e. grey with a light greenish shade and
maximum size of 20mm were used in the present work.
was free from any hard lumps. The various tests conducted
The specific gravity of coarse aggregate was found to be
on cement are initial and final setting time, specific gravity,
2.82. Water absorption was found to be 0.3%. And free
fineness and compressive strength.
moisture content was 0.0%.
Testing of cement was done as per IS: 8112-1989. The
specific and composition limits of Portland cement are
reported in Table 1.
272
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2015)
Silica Fume
Silica fume from Sai Dhurga Enterprises, Bangalore,
Karnataka.
Water
Potable tap water was used for the preparation of
specimens and for curing specimens.
Mix Design
The proportioning of the ingredients of concrete is an
important phase of concrete technology as it ensures
quality and economy. In pursuit of the goal of obtaining
concrete with desired performance characteristics the
selection of component materials is the first step, the next
step is a process called mix design by which one arrives at
the right combination of the ingredients. The mix design
procedure adopted in the present work to obtain M20 grade Figure 3: Testing of cubes
concrete is in accordance with IS 10262 – 2009. Table 5:
Overall results of compressive strength
Table 3:
Mix proportions
Compressive Strength (N/mm2)
Fine Coarse
W/C Water Cement
aggregate aggregate Mix
ratio ( kg/m3) (kg/m3)
(kg/m3) (kg/m3) designation
0.52 197 378.85 718.48 1224.97 7 Days 28 Days 56 Days 90 Days
Concrete mix designation:
Table 4: M0
Concrete Mix Designation 18.96 27.70 39.84 40.88
Mix designation Description
M0 Control concrete of grade M20
M1 5% Silica fume + 95% Cement M1
19.03 28.14 39.84 41.03
M2 10% Silica fume + 90% Cement
M3 15% Silica fume + 85% Cement
M4 20% Silica fume + 80% Cement
M2
19.77 29.18 42.21 43.77
V. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Compressive strength test results:
M3
For each concrete mix, the compressive strength is
15.92 23.25 29.92 32.44
determined on three 150×150×150mm cubes at 7, 28, 56
and 90 days of curing.
The table below gives the overall result of compressive
strength of silica fume concrete produced with different M4
14.66 21.03 24.29 24.44
percentages of silica fume. The variation of compressive
strength in the form of graph as shown in fig 4.

273
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2015)
Table 6:
Overall results of split tensile strength

50 Split tensile Strength (N/mm2)

compressive strength in N/mm2

45 Mix
designation
40
7 Days 28 Days 56 Days 90 Days
35 7 days
30 28 days
25 M0
1.29 2.54 2.75 2.96
56 days
20
90 days
15
M1
10 1.41 2.68 2.82 3.10

5
0 M2
1.69 3.25 3.32 3.55
0 5 10 15 20
SF in percentage
Figure 4: Overall results of compressive strength M3
1.27 2.47 2.44 2.80
Split Tensile Strength Test Result
Test has been conducted after 7, 28, 56 and 90 days of
curing. Split tensile is conducted on 150mm diameter and M4
1.10 2.26 2.28 2.49
300mm length cylinders as per IS 5816 – 1999.
The table 6 gives the overall result of split tensile
strength of silica fume concrete produced with different
percentages of silica fume. 4
Split tensile strength in N/mm2

3.5
3
2.5
2 7 days

1.5 28 days
56 days
1
90 days
0.5
0
0 5 10 15 20
SF in percentage

Figure 6: Overall results of split tensile strength

Figure 5: Testing of cylinders

274
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 9, September 2015)
VI. OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSIOS
In the present work the effect of silica fume as partial
replacement of cement on the compressive strength and
split tensile strength of concrete is investigated and the
following observations were made from the experiment
conducted.
At 7, 28, 56 and 90days control concrete achieved a
compressive strength of 18.96, 27.70, 39.84 and
40.88N/mm2, where as mix M2 achieved a compressive
strength of 19.77, 29.18, 42.21 and 43.77N/mm2. There is a
significant improvement in the strength of concrete because
of the high pozzolanic nature of silica fume to form more
densely packed C-S-H gel and the void filling ability. It can
be observed that compressive strength of silica fume
replacement from control concrete M2 mix (10%
replacement level of silica fume) increases by 4.27%,
5.34%, 5.94% and 7.06% for 7, 28, 56 and 90days
compared to control concrete. Beyond 10% replacement
there is a decrease in compressive for 7, 28, 56 and 90days.
The maximum replacement level of silica fume is 10% for
M20 grade concrete.
The split tensile strength of the control concrete
increases with the increase in percentage of silica fume at
7, 28, 56 and 90days. Control concrete achieved split
tensile strength 1.29, 2.54, 2.75 and 2.96N/mm2, where as
M2 mix achieved a split tensile strength of 1.69, 3.25, 3.32
and 3.55N/mm2. As the percentage of silica fume is
increased, there is an improvement in packing, i.e., action
of it as a filler material resulting in improvement of the
interfacial bond between the aggregate-cement matrix. As a
result sharp increase in tensile strength is observed. It can
be observed that the split tensile strength of M2 mix
increases by 31.00%, 27.95%, 20.72% and 19.93% for 7,
28, 56 and 90days. Beyond 10% replacement there is a
decrease in split tensile strength for 7, 28, 56 and 90days
compared to control concrete.
VII. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the limited experimental investigation
concerning compressive strength and split tensile strength
of concrete with silica fume as a partial replacement of
cement, the following conclusion can be drawn.
1. The compressive strength of concrete is increased by
the use of silica fume up to 10% replacement of
cement. From 10% there is a decrease in compressive
strength.
275
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2. The split tensile strength of concrete is increased by
use of silica fume up to 10% replacement of cement.
From 10% there is a decrease in split tensile strength.
3. The compressive strength mainly depends on the
percentage of silica fume because of its high
pozzolanic nature to form more densely packed C-S-
H gel.
4. The split tensile strength increases mainly due to
improvement in packing, i.e., action of it as a filler
material.
5. The optimum percentage of replacement of cement by
silica fume is 10% for M20 grade of concrete.
REFERENCES
[1] Aditya Dhagat, Manav Mittal (august 2013) “Effect of Microsilica
and Fly ash on the Strength of Concrete”.
[2] B. Damodhara Reddy, S. Aruna Jyothy, I.V.Ramana Reddy
(February 2013) “Infuence of Microsilica on the Properties of
Ordinary Portland Cement and Portland Slag Cement with and
without Super plasticizers”.
[3] Debabrata D.Dutta (October 2013) “Influence of Silica Fume on
Normal Concrete”.
[4] Dilip Kumar Singha Roy, AmitavaSil (August 2012) “Effect of
Partial Replacement of Cement by Silica Fume on Hardened
Concrete’’.
[5] Faseyemi Victor Ajileye (January 2012) “Investigations on
Microsilica (Silica Fume) As Partial Cement Replacement in
Concrete”.
[6] Gambhir M L, Reprint 2010, “Concrete Technology”, TataMcGraw
Hill publishing company Ltd., NewDelhi.
[7] Hassan A. Mohamadienin (2012) “The Effect of marble powder and
silica fume as partial replacement for cement on mortar”.
[8] IS 10262: 2009 (Specifications for concrete mix design).
[9] IS 456: 2000 (Plain and reinforced concrete - code of practice).
[10] IS 2386 (part 3): 1963 (Methods of test for aggregates for concrete).
[11] IS 383: 1970 (Specification for coarse and fine aggregate).
[12] IS 516: 1959 (Specifications for compressive strength).
[13] IS 5816: 1999 (Specifications for split tensile strength).
[14] IS 8112: 1989 (Specifications for 43 grade ordinary Portland
cement).
[15] K.C.Biswal and Suresh Chandra Sadangi (March 2011) “Effect of
superplasticizer and silica fume on properties of concrete”.
[16] M.S Shetty,Reprint 2009, “Concrete Technology”, S.Chand &
company Ltd., New Delhi.
[17] Sai Dhurga Enterprises, Imports & Exporters, Bangalore.
[18] T.Jeevetha, Dr.S Krishnamurthy and G.S.Rampradheep (April 2014)
“Study on Strength Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete with
Micro Silica”.