Sustainable self compacting acid and sulphate resistance RAC by two stage mixing approaches

In this research article, acid resistance, sulphate resistance and sorptivity of self compacted concrete (SCC) prepared from C&D waste have been discussed. To improve the above properties of self compacted recycled aggregate concrete (SCRAC) along with mechanical and durability properties, different two stage mixing approaches (TSMA and TSMAsfc) were followed. In the proposed two stage mixing approach (TSMAsfc), silica fume, a proportional amount of cement and a proportional amount of water were mixed in premix stage which fills the pores and cracks of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The concrete specimen prepared using above mixing approaches were immersed in 1% concentration of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) solution for 28, 90 and 180 days for evaluating the acid resistance of SCRAC. Experimental results concluded that the proposed two stage mixing approach (TSMAsfc) is most suitable for acid resistance and sulphate resistance in terms of weight loss and strength loss due to the elimination of pores and cracks in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). In modified two stage mixing approach, the pores and cracks of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) were filled up and make ITZs of SCRAC stronger. Microstructure analysis was carried out to justify the reason of improvement of ITZs by electron probe micro analyser (EPMA) analysis. X-ray mapping was also done to know the presence of strength contributing elements presents in the concrete sample. It was established that SCRAC with modified mixing approach have shown improved results in terms of acid resistance, sulphate resistance, sorptivity and mechanical properties.