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Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is one of the advancements in concrete well known for its dense, compact structure and its superior performance at elevated temperatures. The momentous fact behind the dense matrix of Reactive powder concrete is exclusion of coarse aggregates, inclusion of fine materials possessing pozzolanic properties, steel fibers and super-plasticizers at proper proportions. The main objective of this research is to investigate the performance of RPC produced by partial replacement of cement by alccofine and quartz sand by coal bottom ash (CBA) and Recycled Aggregate Fines (RAF). CBA and RAF used were crushed and grinded to attain the particle size to effectively fill the voids and to reduce the porosity. The experimental investigation to determine the mechanical properties such as compressive strength, split-tensile strength and flexural strength and durability characteristics such as water absorption, sorptivity and acid attack tests were performed. The results showed that the fineness and particle size range of the CBA and RAF increase the potential to develop ultra-high strength in Reactive Powder Concrete. The RPC composed of 10% of CBA and 10%, of RAF as partial replacement of Quartz Sand performed well in all mechanical strength characteristics and also within permissible limits in durability terms. The replacement of 40% Quartz sand by equal proportions of CBA and RAF proved to be satisfactory compared with that of control RPC specimens.
Keywords: Reactive Powder Concrete, Coal Bottom Ash, Recycled Aggregate Fines, Hot water curing, Mechanical strength and Durability characteristics
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1.Introduction
Reactive Powder Concrete is an advanced invention of Ultra High Strength Concrete (UHSC) in construction materials. The main factors contributed to the prosperity of the Reactive Powder Concrete are low water-binder ratio, exclusion of coarse aggregates, inclusion of pozzolanic and silica rich fine materials such as ordinary portland cement, silica fume, quartz sand and micro-steel fibers. Several researchers have applied the aforementioned principles and studied the various strength and micro-structural properties of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC). The performance of RPC is better at elevated temperatures and hence applied for special structures exposed to heat and high temperatures. Furthermore researches on the feasibility of the alternative materials for the binder and also the fine aggregates in concrete in order to obtain a desirable and sustainable construction...