A Comparative Study on The Mechanical Properties of High Strength Concrete Made with Basalt and Granite as Coarse Aggregate
1Dapia, Z.A., 2Zakka, P.W., 2Agboju, S.E, 2Cyril, C.K., and 2Dusu, A.A
ABSTRACT
High strength concrete (HSC) of grade M60 was prepared and cast in cubes of 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm and beams of 100 mm x 100 mm x 500 mm to compare the mechanical properties of the concrete with regards to basalt and granite as coarse aggregate. The aim of this research is to compare the mechanical properties of high-strength concrete made with basalt and granite as coarse aggregates as well as the effects of mild temperature on the strength of the concrete. Compressive strength tests, flexural strength tests, density tests were conducted as well as effects of heat-treatment of 2000C for 24, 48 and 72 hours on the cubes to observe its effect on the concrete. With regard to the compressive strength tests, cubes made with granite posed to have a higher compressive strength (52 N/mm2 at 28 days of curing) as compared with cubes made with basalt (achieving a strength of 50 N/mm2 at 28 days of curing). For the flexural strength tests, the beams made with basalt developed a strength of at 28 days while beams of basalt developed which is lesser compared with the strength of beam made with granite. The heat-treatment of the concrete resulted in developing the compressive strength of the concrete to 53.5 N/mm2 for granite while for basalt resulted in 52 N/mm2. From the results obtained from this study, it can be deduced further that, HSC made with basalt has poor thermal conductivity as compared with HSC made with granite and hence, could be used for constructing areas which might be exposed to high temperature. Also, with regards to areas of high magnitude of loading, impact or wear such as, pavements, HSC made with granite would be most appropriate as compared to HSC made with basalt.
Keywords: High Strength Concrete, Mechanical Properties, Basalt, Granite and Coarse aggregates.
