120

CHAPTER-3

TESTS ON MATERIALS USED IN THE EXPERIMENTAL

PROGRAMME 121

3.1 General 121

3.2 Cement 121
3.3 Fine Aggregate 122
3.3.1 Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregate 123
3.3.2 Bulk Density of Fine Aggregate 124
3.3.3 Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregates 124
3.4 Coarse Aggregate 125
3.4.1 Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate 126
3.4.2 Bulk Density of Coarse Aggregate 126
3.4.3 Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregate 126
3.5 Metakaolin 128
3.6 Natural Rubber Latex 129
3.7 Steel Fibers 130
3.8 Water 130
3.9 Closure 131
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CHAPTER-3

TESTS ON MATERIALS USED IN THE EXPERIMENTAL

PROGRAMME

3.1 General:

In order to achieve the objectives mentioned in Chapter 1, a detailed

experimental investigation on Metakaolin based Natural Rubber Latex Modified Fibre

Reinforced High Performance Concrete (NRLMFRHPC) has been planned.

Metakaolin is used as a mineral admixture; Natural rubber latex polymer is used as an

additive. In the production of HPC polymer based chemical super plasticizers are

generally used to improve the flow properties and to reduce the water-binder ratio.

However in the present work, it is proposed to use the naturally available polymer i.e.

Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) in the production of HPC and steel fibres of an aspect

ratio 50 are added to improve the strength and ductility properties. The physical

properties of each material which are used in the research program are presented in

this chapter. The various materials used in this investigation are cement, fine

aggregate, coarse aggregate, Metakaolin, Rubber Latex and water. In this Chapter, the

test conducted on each material to find out its suitability is explained in detailed

manner.

3.2 Cement:

Ordinary Portland cement of 53 grade conforming to IS: 12269 standards has

been procured and following tests have been carried out according to

IS: 8112 – 1989

a) Specific gravity of Cement

b) Normal Consistency of Cement

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c) Initial and Final setting time of Cement

d) Compressive Strength of Cement.

The results of above tests are presented in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 Result of tests on cement

Suggested values as
Experimental
S. No Test per I.S 12269 - 1987
values
specification
1 Fineness of Cement
a) Sieve test 4.52% < 10.0 %
b) Blains specific surface 315 m2/kg 225m2/kg
Area
2 Specific gravity 3.10 --
3 Normal consistency 33% --
4 Setting time
Initial setting time 64 min Min 30 min
Final setting time 410 min Max 440min
5 Compressive Strength at
3 days 30.4 N/mm2 27.0 N/mm2
7 days 42.7 N/mm2 37.0 N/mm2
28 days 57.8 N/mm2 53.0 N/mm2

3.3 Fine aggregate:

The sand which is used in this investigation is confirming to grading zone II of

Table 4 of IS 383-1970 and has been collected from the locally available river

chitravathi. The weight of fine aggregate was 40% of the total aggregate and has

been maintained as constant throughout the experimental work. Following tests have

been carried out as per the procedure given in IS 383(1970) and the results are shown

in the below mentioned Tables 3.2(a) to 3.2(c)

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a) Specific Gravity

b) Bulk Density

c) Grading

d) Fineness Modulus

3.3.1 Specific Gravity of fine Aggregates:

Specific gravity of fine aggregate has been determined using pycnometer test

with the following formula. Three trials have been conducted and average specific

gravity is considered. The details are presented in Table 3.2 (a).

Formulae = (w2-w1) /[(w2-w1)-(w3-w4)] Eqn.No. 3.1

w1=Wt of empty Pycnometer

w2= Wt of Pycnometer + 1/3rd of fine Aggregates

w3= Wt of Pycnometer +1/3rd of F.A +Water

w4=Wt of Pycnometer + Wt of water full of Pycnometer.

Table 3.2(a) Specific Gravity of Fine aggregates

No of Trials w1 w2 w3 w4 G

Trial 1 0.45 0.83 1.485 1.240 2.814

Trial 2 0.45 0.84 1.490 1.245 2.689

Trial 3 0.45 0.86 1.495 1.245 2.562

Average Value of Sp.Gravity of Fine Aggregates= (2.814+2.689+2.562)/3=2.688

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3.3.2 Bulk Density of Fine Aggregates:

The bulk density of aggregate shows how densely the aggregate is packed

when filled in a standard manner. It is measured by filling in a container whose

volume is known and compacted in a standard procedure. The weight of aggregate

gives the bulk density in Kg/m3. The particle size distribution and particle size

influences the bulk density. The bulk density of fine aggregates are determined and

presented in 3.2 (c).

3.3.3 Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregates:

The sieve analysis has been conducted to determine the FM and grading Zone

of Fine Aggregates (FA). The details are given in Table 3.2 (b) and 3.2 (c).

Table 3.2(b) Sieve analysis of fine aggregate

Weight Cumulative%
I.S Sieve % of weight % of
S. No. retained of weight
designation retained Passing
(Gms) retained
1 4.75mm 25.00 2.50 2.50 97.90
2 2.36mm 56.00 5.60 8.10 91.90
3 1.18mm 169.00 16.90 25.00 75.00
4 600 278.00 27.80 52.8 47.20
5 300 375.00 37.50 90.30 9.70
6 150 82.00 8.20 98.50 1.50
7 Pan 10.00 1.00 --- ---
Total = 277.20
Fineness Modulus = 2.77
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Table 3.2(c) Physical properties of fine Aggregates

S. No. Property Value

1 Specific gravity 2.69
2 Fineness modulus 2.77
3 Bulk density
i) Loose 15.19 kN/m3
ii) Compacted 16.23KN/m3
4 Grading Zone – II

3.4 Coarse aggregate:

The locally available Crushed granite metal with 50% passing through

12.5mm and retained on 10mm sieve and 50% passing through 20mm and retained on

12.5mm sieve was used. The weight of coarse aggregate was 60% of the total

aggregate. The following tests have been carried out as per the procedure given in IS

383-1970 [2] and the results are presented in Tables 3.3(a) to 3.3(c).

a) Specific Gravity

b) Bulk Density

c) Grading

d) Water absorption

e) Flakiness index

f) Elongation Index

g) Crushing value

h) Impact Value
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3.4.1 Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates:

Formulae = (w2-w1) / [(w2-w1)-(w3-w4)] Eqn.No. 3.2

w1= Wt of empty Pycnometer

w2= Wt of pycnometer+1/3rd Coarse Aggregates

w3= Wt of Pycnometer +1/3rd of C.A +Remaining quantity of water

w4= Wt of Pycnometer +Wt of water full of Pycnometer.

Table 3.3(a) Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates

No of Trials w1 w2 w3 w4 G

Trial 1 0.45 0.910 1.515 1.225 2.705

Trial 2 0.45 0.900 1.507 1.225 2.678

Trial 3 0.45 0.87 1.500 1.225 2.896

Average Value of Sp.Gravity of coarse Aggregates= (2.705+2.678+2.896)/3=2.759

3.4.2 Bulk Density of Coarse Aggregates:

The bulk densities of coarse aggregates are determined in a loose and

compacted state and the results are presented in Table 3.3 (c).

3.4.3 Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregates:

Sieve analysis was conducted to determine the fineness modulus of coarse

aggregates and details are presented in Table 3.3 (b) and 3.3 (c).
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Table 3.3(b) Sieve analysis of coarse aggregate

Cumulative %
I.S.Sieve Weight % of weight % of
S. No. of weight
size retained retained passing
retained

1 20mm 645 12.9 12.9 87.1

2 10mm 4090 81.8 94.7 5.3

3 4.75mm 200 4 98.7 103

4 2.36mm 0 0 98.7 1.3

5 1.18mm 0 0 98.7 1.3

6 600 0 0 98.7 1.3
7 300 0 0 98.7 1.3
8 150 0 0 98.7 1.3
Fineness modulus = 6.99

Table 3.3(c) Physical properties of coarse aggregate

S.NO Property Coarse aggregate

1 Specific gravity 2.759
2 Bulk density
Loose 13.61 KN/m3
Compacted 15.71 kN/m3
3 Water absorption 0.70%
4 Flakiness index 14.22%
5 Elongation index 21.33%
6 crushing value 21.43%
7 Impact value 15.50%
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3.5. Metakaolin:

The mineral Admixture Metakaolin is obtained from M/S KOAT

MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Regd office at 49 shalin complex, VADODARA,

GUJARAT, INDIA. The Metakaolin is in conformity with requirements of pozzolana.

Various properties of Metakaolin as supplied by the manufacturer are presented in the

Table 3.4(a) and 3.4(b).

Table 3.4(a) Properties of Metakaolin

S. No Property Value
1 Specific gravity 2.60
2 Accelerated pozzolanic active 89
index, % of control
3 Residue on 45 sieve, % 1.31

4 Chemical Analysis, %
Loss on ignition 0.70
Silica (SiO2) 52.24
Iron oxide (Fe2O3) 0.60
Aluminium (Al2O3) 43.18
Calcium oxide (CaO) 1.03
Magnesium oxide (MgO) 0.61
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Table 3.4(b) Physical properties of Metakaolin

S. No. Properties Metakaolin

1 Average particle size ,µm 1.5

2 Residue on 45 sieve, % 1.31
3 B.E.T Surface area m²/gm 15
4 Pozzolana reactivity mg Ca (OH)2 1050
5 Specific Gravity 2.6

6 Bulk density (gm/lt) 300±30

7 Brightness 80±2

8 Physical form off-white powder

3.6 Natural Rubber Latex:

The Natural Rubber latex is collected from ASSOCIATED LATEX (INDIA)

LIMITED having its Administrative Office at P.B. NO.1117, Beach Road, Calicut

and its properties are given by the supplier are presented in Table 3.5.
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Table 3.5 Physical properties of Rubber latex

S.No Property Rubber latex

1 Colour White
2 Total Solid Content (% By Weight) 61.5 Max
3 Dry Rubber Content (% By Weight) 60 Min
4 Non Rubber solid content 1.50 Max
5 KOH Number 0.55 Max
6 Ammonia content , NH3 % 0.70 Max
7 Mechanical stability time 600-1200
8 Volatile Fatty Acid Number 0.10 Max
9 Magnesium Content 8
10 pH 10.4 Min
11 Coagulum Content , % By Mass 0.01 Max
12 Sludge Content, % By Mass 0.01 Max
13 Copper content As ppm 5
14 IRON content As ppm 8
15 0.2 m
Particle size of Rubber latex
16 Specific Gravity of Rubber latex 0.94

3.7 .Steel Fibres:

In this study crimped steel fibres are used, which are procured from

STEWELS COMPANY from Nagpur (Maharashtra). The aspect ratio of fibre is 50

and the density is 7840 kg/m3.

3. 8. Water:

Water is an important ingredient of concrete as it actively participates in the

Chemical reaction with cement and it helps to form the strength giving Gel. The
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quantity and quality of water is to be carefully selected for the test Conducted for this

investigation. The water which is fit for drinking is fit for the Concrete. The water

used in the investigation is free from all the acids and organic Substances. The clean

potable water is used in the investigation. The Physical properties of water are shown

in Table 3.6

Table3.6 Physical properties of water

S. No Parameter Amount
1 pH 8.1
2 Taste Agreeable
3 Appearance Normal
4 Turbidity (NT Units) 3
5 Color (Hazen Units) 2
6 Hardness (mg/l) 1
7 Sulphates (mg/l) 0.3
8 Chlorides (mg/l) 9

3.9 Closure:

After knowing the physical properties of various materials which are tabulated

in the above tables, casting the cubes of Metakaolin based Natural rubber latex

modified fibre reinforcement concrete has been conducted in the laboratory. Tests on

raw materials viz. cement, sand, coarse aggregate, Metakaolin, Natural rubber latex,

steel fibre’s and water have been conducted to confirm their suitability for use in

concrete as per the procedures laid down in I.S codes. It is observed that all the

materials satisfy the relevant provisions of Indian Standard Codes of practice.