The paper

Newreach microsilica 95D is one of the newest building materials frequently used by building engineers and designers. It is a micro-silica powder concrete admixture that adds versatility and index parameters to Portland cement concrete, enabling it to be used in unprecedented ways. This new technology can significantly improve the strength, durability and impermeability of concrete. Newreach 95D has a wide range of applications, including high-strength prefabricated structures, low-permeability parking platforms and abrasion resistant water conservancy projects.This briefing will introduce what microsilicon is and how it works in concrete, as well as some practical issues that builders should pay attention to when using microsilicon concrete.

Background

Microsilica is a by-product of the silicon and ferrosilicon industries. These metals are produced in submerged arc welding furnaces. As the molten metal is produced, the silicon-based gases are released. As the gas rises, it cools rapidly, forming tiny glassy spheres. Condensed silica fume, called microsilicon, is collected in a bagged house, a system that filters hot air and gases from the grate.

Until recent decades, microsilica particles were considered waste and discarded. In the 1950s, however, European researchers began studying the potential USES of microsilica, including its use in combination with Portland cement.

 

The physical and chemical composition of Newreach Microsilica, cement and fly ash are introduced 

The physical characteristics of microsilica are quite different than standard concrete components, but the chemical make-up is rather similar. Microsilica is an extremely fine particulate, with average diameters 100 times finer than cement particles. Specific gravities of microsilica are low, about 2.2, versus 3.15 for most portland cements. Because microsilica is an extremely fine material, its raw bulk densities are very low, varying from 9 to 25 lbs/ft3 (144 to 400 kg/m3), versus a dry bulk density of 94 lbs/ft3 (506 kg/m3 ) for cement. Figure 1 provides a visual comparison of cement, fly ash, and microsilica.

The chemical make-up of microsilica is almost pure silicon dioxide (SiO2). Table 1 compares a typical chemical analysis of the three common concrete constituents pictured in Figure 1.

Figure 1

silica-fume-similar-product

Table 1

Chemical Analysis

Cement Fly Ash Microsilica
SiO2 Silica 20.1 % 45.8 % 85 – 97 %
Al2O3 4.7 24.6 0.4
Fe2O3 3.8 7.3 1.8
MgO 2.4 1.6 0.3
CaO 60.3 7.9 0.6
Na2O 0.1 0.1 0.1
K2O 1.4 0.5 0.4
SO3 2.0 0.6 0.5

How Microsilica Works in Concrete

Microsilica improves concrete through two primary mechanisms — the basic pozzolanic reaction, and a microfiller effect.
When water is added to portland cement hydration.

pozzolanic

The calcium silicate hydrate formed is the glue, or binder, which holds the system together. The weaker calcium hydroxide does not contribute as a binder, and can occupy as much as one quarter of the volume of the hydration products. Further, the calcium hydroxide can combine with carbon dioxide to form a soluble salt which will leach through the concrete, and can cause efflorescence, a familiar architectural problem. When high amounts of calcium hydroxide are present, concrete may be more vulnerable to sulphate attack, chemical attack, and adverse alkaliaggregate reactions.

The pozzolanic microsilica reacts with the calcium hydroxide and water to produce more aggregate-binding calcium silicate gel, while simultaneously reducing the calcium hydroxide content, as shown in the chemical reaction below:

This additional glue improves bonding within the concrete matrix and helps reduce permeability, while the reduction in calcium hydroxide improves concrete durability.

calcium-hydroxide crystals beneath the interface. The paste forms an excellent bond to the aggregate, producing stronger concrete, and reducing permeability.calcium-hydroxide crystals beneath the interface. The paste forms an excellent bond to the aggregate, producing stronger concrete, and reducing permeability.

The second mechanism by which microsilica improves concrete quality is through the so-called “microfiller effect”. Most condensed silica fume has an average particle size of about 0.15 micrometers, while a typical portland cement has an average particle size of 15 micrometers. Because of this size relationship, there are over 50,000 particles of microsilica for each grain of cement in a mix containing 10% microsilica by weight of cement.

The extreme fineness of microsilica allows it to fill the microscopic voids between cement particles. The microfiller effect is credited with greatly reducing permeability and improving the paste-to-aggregate bond of microsilica concrete compared to conventional concrete.

Placing, Finishing and Curing Considerations

Concrete with silica fume added

Microsilica concrete is not difficult to work with, but because it is used for special applications, care should be taken to ensure that good quality concreting practices are followed.

The water demand of concrete can increase when microsilica is added to the mix. Just as with aggregates, the smaller sized microsilica particles have an increased surface area, and thereby, increased water demand. One method of compensating for this effect is to increase the water content; however, this leads to a lower quality concrete. The use of a  superplasticizer, or high-range water reducer, in conjunction with the microsilica is almost universally recommended.

Depending on the dosage of microsilica, the fresh concrete may be more cohesive and sticky than conventional concrete. Due to this cohesiveness, slumps 1 to 2 in. (25 to 50 mm) higher than normal should be used for similar types of placement. For ease of placement, the highest practical slump (attained through the use of superplasticizers) should be specified. Despite the increased cohesiveness, microsilica concrete produces a very creamy paste and is very pumpable.

One of the biggest differences in using microsilica concrete occurs during finishing. The addition of microsilica will virtually eliminate bleed water, making it more susceptible than conventional concrete to plastic shrinkage cracking. Practices outlined in the Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction (ACI 302) and Hot Weather Concreting (ACI 305) should be followed to provide a good surface.

Finishing and curing practices which have worked successfully in the field generally involve underfinishing and overcuring the concrete. Curing should begin immediately following the finishing operation, and can include fog misting and placing wet burlap over the surface. Careful attention to curing is essential; as with any concrete, microsilica concrete will perform much better when properly cured. The Standard Practice of Concrete Curing (ACI 308) should be closely followed.

The addition of microsilica can also influence the color of both plastic and hardened concrete. Typically, a microsilica concrete is darker gray than conventional concrete, and it can become almost black, depending on the dosage of microsilica used. This does lighten or bleach out with time.

Specifying Microsilica in Concrete

Microsilica is typically specified in dosages expressed by weight of cement. Dosages will vary depending on the application and the level of protection required, and typically range between 5% and 15% microsilica by weight of cement.

GCP Applied Technologies has developed sample specifications for high strength, corrosion protection and durability applications using Newreach 95 D concrete. Your GCP representative will be able to work with you to modify the sample specifications to meet your specific needs.

Summary of Benefits

Because of the pozzolanic nature and extreme fineness of the microsilica,Newreach 95D use in concrete can improve many of its properties, opening up a wide range of applications. Its benefits include:

Dramatically Increased Strength

  • Ready-mixed concrete compressive strengths or 10,000 to 20,000 psi (70 to 140 MPa)
  • Flexural strengths of 1,500 to 2,000 psi (10 to 14 MPa)

Significantly Reduced Permeability/Increased Resistivity

  • Rapid chloride permeability test results below 1000 coulombs
  • Reduced water and gas permeability
  • High resistivities providing corrosion protection

Improved Durability

  • Higher resistance to aggressive chemical attack
  • Better resistance against sulfate attack
  • Improved hydraulic abrasion-erosion resistance
  • Better resistance to adverse alkali-aggregate reactivity

These benefits make microsilica concrete suitable for a number of applications, ranging from structural beams and columns, to parking garage and marine structures, to chemical plant slabs, to dam spillways. These benefits and applications will be topics of future Tech Bulletins.

 


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