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For many decades, concrete has largely been used as a construction material, whether in moderate aggressive environment, or in strong aggressive environment. By volume alone, concrete is the world's most important construction material. Self-compacting Concrete (SCC) as the name implies that the concrete requiring a very little or no vibration to fill the form homogeneously. SCC is defined by two primary properties: Ability to flow or deform under its own weight (with or without obstructions) and the ability to remain homogeneous while doing so. The study explores the use of marble sludge dust (MSD) and crusher rock dusts (CRD) to increase the amount of fines and hence achieve selfcompactibility in an economical way, suitable for Indian construction industry. The study focuses on comparison of fresh properties of SCC containing varying amounts of MSD and CRD with that containing commercially available viscosity modifying admixture. The comparison is done at different dosages of superplasticizer keeping cement, water, coarse aggregate, and fine aggregate contents constant. Test results substantiate the feasibility to develop low cost SCC using MSD and CRD.
M. Shahul Hameed, Faculty & Research Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engg., Sethu Institute of Technology, Kariapatti; P. Kathirvel, Faculty & Research Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engg., KLN College of Engg., Madurai, and Dr. A.S.S. Sekar, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Civil Engg., Alagappa Chettiyar College of Engg. & Tech., Karaikudi
Introduction
Owing to all its properties, use of SCC is constantly increasing all over the world. But the adoption has not been as fast as it should have been due to its higher cost of production. In India, SCC is used in limited owing to lack of awareness and the higher costs associated with its production. SCC is defined by two primary properties: Deformability and Segregation resistance. Deformability or flowability is the ability of SCC to flow or deform under its own weight (with or without obstructions). Segregation resistance or stability is the ability to remain homogeneous while doing so. High range water reducing admixtures are utilized to develop sufficient deformability. At the same time, segregation resistance is ensured, which is accomplished either by introducing a chemical VMA or by increasing the amount of fines in the concrete. These viscosity modifying admixtures are very expensive and the main cause...