• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.193-202
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• 2013

Geopolymer mortar compressed blocks were prepared using fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, silica fume and metakaolin as binders and sand/quarry dust/pond ash as fine aggregate. Alkaline solution was used to activate the source materials for synthesizing the geopolymer mortar. Fresh mortar was used to obtain the compressed blocks. The strength development with reference to different parameters was studied. The different parameters considered were fineness of fly ash, binder components, type of fine aggregate, molarity of alkaline solution, age of specimen, fluid-to-binder ratio, binder-to-aggregate ratio, degree of saturation, etc. The compressed blocks were tested for compression at different ages. It was observed that some of the blocks attained considerable strength within 24 h under ambient conditions. The cardinal aim was to analyze the experimental data generated to formulate a phenomenological model to arrive at the combinations of the ingredients to produce geopolymer blocks to meet the strength development desired at the specified age. The strength data was analyzed within the framework of generalized Abrams' law. It was interesting to note that the law was applicable to the analysis of strength development of partially saturated compressed blocks when the degree of saturation was maintained constant. The validity of phenomenological model was examined with an independent set of experimental data. The blocks can replace the traditional masonry blocks with many advantages.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2013

This paper deals with the interfacial effects of silica fume (SF) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) on compressive strength of concrete. Analyzing the compressive strength results of 32 concrete mixes performed over two water-binder ratios (0.35, 0.45), four percentages replacement of SF (0, 5, 7.5, and 10 %) and four percentages of SBR (0, 5, 10, and 15 %) were investigated. The results of the experiments were showed that in 5 % of SBR, compressive strength rises slightly, but when the polymer/binder materials ratio increases, compressive strength of concrete decreases. A mathematical model based on Abrams' law has been proposed for evaluation strength of SF-SBR concretes. The proposed model provides the opportunity to predict the compressive strength based on time of curing in water (t), and water, SF and SBR to binder materials ratios that they are shown with (w/b), (s) and (p).This understanding model might serve as useful guides for commixture concrete admixtures containing of SF and SBR. The accuracy of the proposed model is investigated. Good agreements between them are observed.