EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF POLYMER SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE

This paper presents an experimental study on the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) using natural polymer (SCC). Fifteen series of mixed proportions were used, which were cured in two environments of magnesium sulphate and by water curing. The polymer used is alginate, which is used a lot in the dentistry industry. It is used extensively as an impression making material in dentistry, prosthetics, life casting and occasionally for creating positives for small scale casting. In addition, alginate is used in the food industry, engineering and construction. This polymer is made in a variety of percentages: 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2, with dierent percentages: 1, 1.5 and 2, of resin. The values of w/c in all samples are 0.36. The objective of this study is to investigate the in uence of alginate on the fresh, hardened and sulphate resistance properties of SCC. The performance of alginate is established in SCC using fresh concrete tests, such as slump ow, T500 time, J ring and L-box ratio, and by hardened concrete tests, such as compressive strength, exural strength, water absorption and density in magnesium sulphate solutions. The compressive strength and density of each mix design, over 7, 28, 56, and 90 days, are determined. In addition, prismatic specimens are made to determine the exural strength at 28 days of curing. Two cubic specimens are made to determine water absorption at 28 days of curing. The results of the fresh concrete show that increasing alginate content negatively aected the blocking ratio, because of viscosity decrease. This reduction is because of diatomaceous earth. The use of alginate increases the strength of the sulphate solutions. The highest exural strength value is seen in the R1.5A1 sample in the sulphate environment. The R1A1 has the least density compared with other samples. The R2A1.5 sample has a higher compressive strength, over 56 and 90 days, in the sulphate environment rather than the water environment. Results show compressive and exural strength in upper ages. The R2A2 has the least water absorption compared to the other samples.