Study of superplasticized cement made concrete beams

Super plasticizers are the high range water reducer admixtures of concrete which are capable to reduce the water demand by 30% than that required in normal concrete. This ultimately increases the strength of concrete. Dada Bhoy cement factory Sindh has launched the SPC (Superplasticized cement) which contains the certain proportion of the admixture. Various researchers have observed that the SPC made plain concrete can give better strength than that of concrete made with OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement). However, the performance of the SPC concrete is not well investigated as for as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) components are concerned. This study is thus aimed to investigate the load carrying capacity of one of the RCC components i.e. the RCC beams made with the SPC concrete compared to that made with OPC concrete. In total 36 beams (18 with the SPC concrete and 18 with OPC concrete) were cast with various combinations of reinforcement. The ultimate load carrying capacity of the beams was determined after 28 days of curing. It is observed that the beams constructed with the SPC concrete can take 4-17% higher ultimate load than that taken by the beams made with OPC concrete. (author)