Reactive powder concrete

Reactive powder concrete

INTRODUCTION:

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is a developing composite material that will allow the concrete industry to optimise material use, generate economical benefits, and build structures that are strong, durable and sensitive to environment. A comparison of the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of RPC and high performance concrete, (HPC) shows that properties of RPC possesses better strength (both compressive and flexural) and lower permeability compared to HPC. This paper reviews the available literature on RPC, and also presents the result of laboratory investigation comparing RPC with HPC. Specific benefits and potential applications of RPC have also been described.
HPC leads the way to the achievement of the maximum compressive strength of the order of say 120-150 MPa or so. However, at such a level of strength, the coarse aggregate becomes the weakest link in concrete. In order to increase the compressive strength of concrete even further, the only way is to remove the coarse aggregate. The philosophy has been employed in what is today known as reactive powder concrete.(RPC)
RPC was developed in France in the early 1990s and the world’s first RPC structure, the Sherbrooke bridge in Canada, was constructed in July 1997 is an ultra high strength and high ductility cementitious composite with advanced mechanical and physical properties. It consists of a special concrete where the microstructure is optimized by precise gradation of all particles in the mix to yield maximum density. It extensively uses the pozzolanic properties of highly refined silica fume and optimisation of the Portland cement chemistry to produce the highest strength hydrates.


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