Influence of quartz in self-compaction concrete at elevated temperature

Abstract

This paper presents the effects of using quartz as a partial replacement for fine aggregate and hooked-end steel fibers inconcrete with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as a supplementary cementitious material. The study investigatesthe mechanical properties of concrete, including compressive and tensile strength, before and after exposure to elevatedtemperatures. Fresh properties of concrete, such as slump and compaction factor, were also evaluated to understand the effectsof fiber ratio. The optimum value of hooked-end steel fiber was found to be 0.5% in terms of achieving higher compressiveand tensile strength compared to conventional concrete, both before and after elevated temperature testing. The replacementof 15% of fine aggregate with quartz resulted in higher strength in both normal and oven-impassioned samples at 28 days ofage. Furthermore, the combination of 0.5% hooked-end steel fiber and 15% replacement of quartz from fine aggregate showedthe best mechanical properties, both before and after exposure to 4000 °C. The workability of fiber concrete increased withincreasing quartz percentage from M sand, but the maximum strength was achieved with 15% replacement of quartz and0.5% hooked-end steel fiber after elevated temperature testing. Overall, the findings suggest that the use of hooked-end steelfibers and quartz as partial replacement of fine aggregate can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of concrete,especially when subjected to elevated temperatures.