Durability of high performance sandcretes (HPS) in aggressive environment

High performance sandcretes (HPS) are new concretes characterized by particles having a diameter less than 5 mm, as well as very high mechanical strength and durability. This work consists in finding solutions to make sandcretes with good physico-mechanical and durability properties for this new generation of micro-concrete. However, upgrading ordinary sandcrete into high performance sandcrete (HPS) requires a thorough study of formulation parameters (equivalent water/binder ratio, type of cement and its dosage, kind and amount of super plasticizer, and gravel/sand ratio). This research study concerns the formulation, characterization and durability, in a sulphate environment, of a high performance sandcrete (HPS), made from local materials. The obtained results show that the rheological properties of fresh concrete and mechanical strength differ with the mineralogy, density and grain size distribution of sands and silica fume used.