Effect Dimensions and Shape of Specimens on Some Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Abstract

Due to the effect of the structure element size on concrete’s mechanical properties, larger concrete structures fail under lower stresses than smaller ones. Hence, the laboratory data need to re-evaluate and updated to establish structural design rules and safety regulations. From this standpoint, this research is concerned with studying the effect of dimensions and shapes on the concrete specimen under different amounts of super-plasticizer on the concrete properties. Cubes, prisms, and cylindrical specimens are prepared and subjected to four experimental tests: compressive strength, impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and flexural strength. Besides, four concrete admixtures prepared with different amounts of super-plasticizer, 0.0, 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 %, as a percentage of cement weight content, respectively. The obtained results from this research proved that both the highest thickness and super-plasticizer dosage resulted in 910% increases in the impact strength and improved in the flexural strength by 56.5%. On the other hand, under all super-plasticizer dosages, an increase in compressive strength, flexural, and impact resistance has resulted. Finally, based on the obtained experimental records, the statistical analysis conducted to present basis formulations illustrated the effect of the dimensions and sizes of concrete specimens with super-plasticizer content on some concrete properties.