The effect of blending granular aggregates of different origin on the strengh of concrete

M.E. MÉDICI; O.A. BENEGAS; R.O. UÑAC; , A.M. VIDALES

PHYSICA A - STATISTICAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2012 vol. 391 p. 1934 - 1941

0378-4371

This work correlates the resistance of concrete cores with the physical properties of the granular material forming it. A basic physical characterization is conducted, taking into account the origin of the grains involved in the concrete mixture; that is, if they come from natural degradation (natural granular aggregates) or from a grinding process (crushed granular aggregates). Apparent and real densities, shape factors, packing densities, and specific surface areas of the grains are measured. The results are discussed as a function of size and origin of the grains. Several mixtures are prepared following a standard protocol and using different ratios of natural and crushed aggregates. For each ratio, six cores are prepared and uniaxial compression tests are performed. A non-monotonic relation between the resistance of concrete and the percentage of crushed aggregate present in it is obtained, with an optimum ratio depending on the physical properties of the grains.