Evaluation of Effects of Synthetic Compound and Mineral Admixture on Crystal Structure of Concrete

Abstract

The effects of mineral admixture on the internal morphology of concrete were studied and evaluated in this work. Portland cement with five different additives was used in the complex admixture. These includes: extracted silica from corn hob ash, synthetic calcium carbonate, synthetic calcium hydrogen carbonate, white and dark kaolin, each replacing 10% of cement in the concrete formulation. The additives and the pure cements were subjected to intensive mixing to ensure homogeneity prior to water addition, after which each undergoes casting and curing. Elemental characterizations of the additives indicated the presence of some elemental oxides and crystallography studies were carried out on the pure and reinforced concrete. The obtained result indicated crystallographic adjustments of the indigenous concrete which will definitely contribute to modifying its mechanical properties.