Controversial effect of Silica fume in concrete

Use of silica in concrete is one of the example that something that has been labeled as harmful can become a useful thing if we know its property in details. A branch of scientist are reporting that the Aggregate-Silica Reaction is responsible for deterioration of structure, while another group of researcher are using silica to …

Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR)

The phenomenon of  aggregates reacting with alkali component of cement is called alkali aggregate reaction (AAR). The predominant form of alkali aggregate reaction is alkali- silica reaction (ASR) in which the silica content of aggregate reacts with sodium and potassium hydroxide of concrete. Other forms of AAR are alkali-carbonate reaction and alkali-silicate reaction. In China …

Health of structure based on construction quality

RC structures has high degrees of variability during construction.  Often in most of the project, RC structures are casted in situ. Compared to steel structures, where most of the parts has quality control at the manufacturing plant, the construction practise of the RC structure has greater degree of uncertaininty in its strength and its performance. …

Basics of reinforced concrete deterioration

As the name suggests, reinforced concrete (RC) is composed of primarily two parts- concrete and reinforcement. Therefore, the deterioration of RC structure is mainly depended upon (a) concrete, (b) reinforcement and (c) physio-chemical interaction between them. Concrete is mixture of aggregates (sand, gravels) and binder (cement) and some admixtures (mineral or chemicals). And there are …