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This paper aims to design a green and high-performance magnetic water concrete from normal materials used for manufacutring concrete. First, magnetic water was prepared by placing magnets into a beaker containing water of 985 Gauss magnetic field. Then, self-compacting concretes (SCCs) were produced with the optimal mix ratio of sulphate resisting cement (SRC), metakaolin, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, micro steel fibers, super plasticizer and water. Next, a contrastive experiment was carried out between the SCC added with magnetic water, and that added with general water. The results show that the SCC prepared with magnetic water achieved a moderately better workability, 10% higher compressive strength, 5% higher tensile strength, and 6.74% lower price than the SCC prepared with general water. The research provides an innovative technique to build structures using high-performance material with low environment impact at a moderate price.
magnetic water, micro steel fibers, metakaolin, compressive strength, tensile strength, self-compacting concrete, sulphate resisting cement
It is generally observed that the traditional concrete is framed with the compaction of concrete which is often seen as a default. Irrespective of the building structures, it is known fact that the concrete material which must be sturdy enough and compacted be used. The compacting of concrete includes the following procedure: Removal of entrapped air to the maximum density and ensuring attaining that status [1]. Ensure that the steel reinforcement and formwork must be in full contact with these two [2]. These two strengthening points must be ensured so as to strengthen the final product. It is clearly highlighted that through the external force vibrations, the compacting of the conventional concrete is performed. These vibrations are externally emphasized though they are highly incapable of reinforcing of intensive engineering, deep structural members and wall element, where the concrete block strengthens so as to avoid problems like the mechanical properties, durability and quality and enable to complete and reduce the above said problems. Apart from all the above, it is also observed that in this research paper, that if the workability is poor, the high quality of infrastructure is utilized [3]. Moreover, in majority of the cases, it depends on the skilled workers and more energy is emphasized to form concrete shapes. It is more important to develop workability along with the compatibility with the concrete which is also named as self-consolidating concrete, self-leveling concrete, or vibration-free concrete. This has low yield stress, high deformability and moderate viscosity. One can assume that the uniform suspension of solid particles during the transportation and placement until the concrete sets, the above said one is needed with little or no vibration [4]. This self consolidating concrete can be densely filled into every corner of a formwork, totally by means of its own weight without the need for vibrations to compaction for improving the self compacting concrete properties with low cost by using magnetic water. However, the price and expenses of this method is not comparable with their advantages. Thus, most of the researchers majorly focus and concentrate on producing economical concrete with higher strength using new philosophies in designing methods through modern techniques such as magnetic water sources. The government of Russia adopted the federal program entitled “Application of magnetic fields in National Economy”, this academy created a range of documents, ordering their organizations to use magnetic technologies [5]. This is the decision made in order economize on cementing and Ferroconcrete which contains the fly ash and prepared with magnetic water that increases by more than 15 % when it is prepared with normal water. More over for additional strength, they propose fibres in the project [6]. Now a days fibres are most effectively used material in the concrete to reduce crack repair, reduction in shrinkage of concrete and improve the strength properties of concrete along with replaced OPC with (Sulphate Resisting Cement) SRC in the project. SRC is also one type of Portland cement in which the amount of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) is restricted to lower than 5 %. The reduction of sulphate salts lowers the possibility of sulphate attack on the concrete [7]. In addition to metakaolin as an additive for provide extra strength to concrete [8].
Magnetized water doesn’t mean water has acquired magnetic strength but that it has been subjected to a magnetic field which is found to change certain properties of water. These anomalous properties of water are unique and may result in many variations of macroscopic properties. Water is not homogeneous at the nanoscale and exists as clusters depending on the temperature, pressure and existing forces. Thus, the density of the water may also change depending on the forces that dominate the conditions. The two forces that dominate are hydrogen bond and vanderwaal’s forces.
The magnetic field can break down these water clusters and reduce the bond angle and hence increase solubility. It is believed that after applying a strong magnetic field, water will show diamagnetism. Diamagnetism refers to substances that are magnetized in a way opposite to the direction of magnetic field, having pair-up electrons which cancel each other’s magnetic moment because the two electrons in a pair-up rotate opposite to each other. As a result, water molecules are ‘directed’ to have certain orientation.
When water passes through a magnetic flux it is known as magnetized water. The level of magnetization is controlled by the method used and water purity. The structure of water is aligned in one direction after magnetization, and the molecule sizes change after the bond angle changes, therefore viscosity and surface area increase by magnetization, hence the hydration rate increases. The effect of a static magnetic field on liquid water, and suggested that stronger hydrogen bonds which lead to a higher viscosity was formed due to the broken hydrogen bonds after magnetization.
One of the recent technologies used to enhance the compressive strength and workability of concrete is using magnetized water instead of normal water in concrete mixes. This new technology has increased the compressive strength. Using magnetized water in concrete is best in terms of lower porosity and higher density. There is a rapid increase in the implementation of magnetized water technology on the eighties and nineties decades. This is due to the development of magnetic devices and their influences in concrete properties. Importance of the mechanical properties of magnetized water concrete has been used in many fields of civil, military construction, like airports and jetties. Most researchers concentrate to produce economical concrete with higher strength by using new philosophies of design methods, like using water which is magnetically treated. When normal water flows through magnetic field, some of the physical properties of water are changed. Also, the number of molecules in the water clusters will decreased to 6 or 5 molecules which will cause decrease in surface tension and an increase in the percentage of molecules contribute for the hydration process. In magnetic treated water, molecules will lose their attractive and repulsive forces and then oriented on a magnetic pole or electric charge. Neutralized molecules of water are more easily attracted to numerous electrostatic fields which naturally contained by cement grains. Hydration of cement is faster and more complete with magnetically treated water.
3.1 Test on cement
Sulphate Resisting Cement (SRC) is used when the concrete is exposed to the risk of deterioration due to sulphate attack. It can be used for structural concrete whereas OPC or PPC or Slag Cement is usable under normal conditions. SRC is one type of Portland cement in which the amount of Tricalcium aluminate (C3A) is restricted to lower than 5 % and (2 C3A + C4AF) is lower than 25 % to resist the sulphate attack.
Table 1. Chemical composition of sulphate resisting cement
Si. No |
Chemical composition |
Units |
Test results of cement |
Requirement of IS 12330-1998 |
1 |
Loss on ignition |
% |
1.10 |
5.00 Max |
2 |
Mgo |
% |
1.15 |
6.00 Max |
3 |
Insoluble residue (IR) |
% |
0.36 |
4.00 Max |
4 |
SO3 |
% |
2.04 |
2.50 Max |
5 |
Lime saturation factor (LSF) |
|
0.91 |
0.66-1.02 |
6 |
Chlorides |
% |
0.042 |
0.10Max |
7 |
C3A |
|
1.98 |
5.00 Max |
8 |
2C3A+C4AF |
|
21.09 |
25.00 Max |
9 |
C3S |
|
53.18 |
--- |
10 |
C2S |
|
20.80 |
--- |
Si. No |
Test |
Units |
Result |
Require-ment of IS 12330-1998 |
1 |
Standard consistency |
Mm/% water content |
5/ 30% |
|
2 |
Setting time by vicat methode a) Initial b) Final |
min min |
150 245 |
30 min 600 min |
3 |
Specific gravity of cement |
|
3.5 |
3.2-3.5 |
4 |
Fineness of cement |
m2/kg |
281 |
225Min |
5 |
Soundness test a) Le-Chatlier Expansion b) Autoclave test |
Mm
% |
Nil
0.03 |
10 Max
0.80 Max |
6 |
Sulphate expansion |
% |
0.0064 |
0.045 Max |
7 |
Compressive strength a) 72±1 hours b) 168+2 hours c) 672+4 hours |
Mpa Mpa Mpa |
30.0 41.0 54.0 |
10.0 min 16.0 min 33.0 min |
MetaKaolin is used as binder for cementitious products. Give extra strength and good bonding for the materials [9].
Table 3. Chemical composition of metakaolin
Si. No |
Chemical composition |
Units |
Test results of metakaolin |
1 |
Loss on Ignition |
% |
0.89 |
2 |
MgO |
% |
0.03 |
3 |
Insoluble Residue (IR) |
% |
--- |
4 |
SO3 |
% |
--- |
5 |
Na2O |
% |
0.13 |
6 |
SiO2 |
% |
50.6 |
7 |
Fe2O3 |
% |
0.32 |
8 |
CaO |
% |
0.01 |
9 |
SO3 |
% |
--- |
10 |
Cl- |
% |
--- |
Si. No |
Test |
Units |
Result |
1 |
Color |
Nature |
white |
2 |
Specific Surface area |
m2/kg |
8.3 |
3 |
Specific gravity |
|
2.6 |
4 |
BET |
m2/g |
15 |
5 |
Average plastic size |
µm |
3.2 |
6 |
Brightness |
Hunter L |
81.2 |
3.3 Tests on fine aggregate
River sand of Zone-II locally available is used, which is free from silt content and waste materials.
Table 5. Test results of fine aggregate
Si. No |
Test |
Standard Codes |
Required results |
1 |
Sieve analysis |
IS-383 |
Zone II |
2 |
Bulk density |
IS-2386-part-3 |
1588kg/l |
3 |
Specific gravity |
IS-2386-part-3 |
2.66 |
4 |
Moisture Content test |
ASTM c70-13 |
5% |
5 |
Fineness modulus |
IS-383 |
Coarse sand |
3.4 Test on coarse aggregates
Crushed stone aggregate of maximum size 12.5 mm passing and 10 mm retained are used.
Table 6. Test results of coarse aggregate
Si. No |
Test |
IS: Code |
Required results |
1 |
Sieve analysis |
IS-2386-part-3 |
88%(85-100) |
2 |
Specific gravity |
IS-2720-part-3 |
2.62 |
3 |
Angularity test |
IS-2386-part-3 |
1494.1kg/m3 |
4 |
Shape test- flakiness index |
IS-2386-part-1 |
11.55% |
5 |
Shape test-Elongation index |
IS-2386-part-1 |
12.79% |
6 |
Bulk density: 12.5 mm loose 12.5 mm compacted |
IS-2386-part-1 |
13.459kg/ l |
16.32 kg/l |
|||
7 |
Aggregate abrasion test |
IS-2386-part-4 |
25.82% |
8 |
Impact test |
IS-2386-part-4 |
13.36% (<30%) |
9 |
Crushing test |
IS-2386-part-4 |
1.64% (<30%) |
10 |
Water absorption test |
IS-2386-part-3 |
2% |
3.5 Preparation & test water
The results of tests conducted on normal water and magnetic water, are listed below in the table. In the present investigation work, magnetic water was prepared by placing magnets into the beaker containing water of 985 Gauss magnetic field that was obtained from scientific store. This Magnetic water was produced by placing the beaker filled with water over the magnets for a period of 24 hours. During this time, the magnetic field penetrates through the glass into the water and this magnetized water is used for making concrete [10].
Table 7. Test results of water
Si. No |
Test |
Normal water |
Magnetic water |
1 |
Temperature |
28.4 C |
28.2 C |
2 |
pH |
8 |
7.6 |
3 |
Magnetic field Intensity |
1850 gauss |
2107 gauss |
4 |
T.D.S |
450 mg/l |
300 mg/l |
5 |
Hardness |
160 mg/l of CaCO3 |
140 mg/l of CaCO3 |
3.6 Micro steel fibers
The below mentioned specified micro steel fibers are used in the project to improve the strength characteristics of concrete.
Table 8. Properties of micro steel fiber
Si. No |
Properties |
Units |
values |
1 |
Diameter |
mm |
0.15-0.22 |
2 |
Length |
mm |
6-8 |
3 |
Tensile strength |
Mpa |
>2500 |
4 |
Aspect ratio |
- |
50 |
5 |
Young’s Modulus |
Gpa |
280 |
6 |
Shape |
Nature |
Stright |
7 |
Density |
Kg/m3 |
7950 |
It is used for reducing the water- cement ratio of concrete. Specific Gravity of super plasticizer is 1.04.
The Experimentation has done in four different stages in that
Stage - 1 To find out the optimum percentage of admixture by four different trails (0.6 %, 0.7 %, 0.8 %, 0.9 %).
Stage -2 By considering the optimum percentage of admixture, preceding to find the Maximum percentage of steel fibers (0.5 %, 0.75 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, 1.75 %, 2 %).
Stage -3 By keeping the admixture content at optimum, finding out the optimum metakaolin Percentage (1 %, 2 %, 3 %, 4 %, 5 %).
Stage -4 Now, by taking optimum values of admixture, steel fiber and metakaolin
The mix design for self-compacting concrete M40 grade is made according to code of practice ASTM C-904.
Table 9. Proportions of mix design
Si. No |
Cement |
Fine aggregate |
Coarse aggregate |
W/C ratio |
Super plasticizer |
1 |
550 |
770.47 |
948.90 |
165 |
4.4 |
|
1 |
1.400 |
1.172 |
0.30 |
0.8% |
Test series consisted of 108 cubes and 54 cylinders of 18 different mixes at 18 different ratios of materials. The dimensions of cube specimens are 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm and cylinder specimen having dimensions of 300 mm height, 150 mm diameter Tests were conducted after curing the specimens for 7, 14 and 28 days respectively.
Graphs are plotted between compressive strength and % of Admixture added to the mix proportion. Here the compressive strength values varied in 7 Days, 14Days and 28-days is shown in Figure 1.
Graphs are plotted between compressive strength and % of steel fibers added to the mix proportion. Here the compressive strength values varied in 7 Days, 14 Days and 28Days is shown in Figure 2.
Table 10. S.C.C test results for admixture trials where AM is the admixture
Mix design |
% AD |
Slump test (mm) |
T50 slump (sec) |
L- Box (sec) |
V- funnel (sec) |
J-ring (mm/ sec) |
U- funnel (sec) |
AM-1 |
0.6 |
610 |
2.0 |
8 |
9 |
620/9 |
22 |
AM-2 |
0.7 |
600 |
1.6 |
9 |
8 |
640/8 |
18 |
AM-3 |
0.8 |
640 |
1.8 |
10 |
10 |
600/7 |
20 |
AM-4 |
0.9 |
620 |
1.7 |
8 |
8 |
610/8 |
24 |
Table 11. Admixture optimum test results of compressive strength
Si. No |
Mix design |
% Admixture |
7-Days Mpa |
14-Days Mpa |
28-Days Mpa |
1 |
AM-1 |
0.6 |
33.4 |
42.2 |
45.2 |
2 |
AM-2 |
0.7 |
35.7 |
44.4 |
47.5 |
3 |
AM-3 |
0.8 |
40.6 |
46.2 |
50.7 |
4 |
AM-4 |
0.9 |
36.2 |
42.2 |
46.7 |
Mix design |
% Steel fiber |
Slump test (mm) |
T50 slump (sec) |
L- Box(sec) |
V-funnel(sec) |
J-ring(mm/sec) |
U- funnel(sec) |
SF-1 |
0.5 |
620 |
1.8 |
9 |
8 |
600/7 |
24 |
SF-2 |
0.75 |
640 |
1.7 |
8 |
8 |
620/9 |
18 |
SF-3 |
1 |
650 |
2.0 |
8 |
9 |
610/8 |
19 |
SF-4 |
1.5 |
700 |
2.0 |
9 |
9 |
640/9 |
23 |
SF-5 |
1.75 |
680 |
1.9 |
9 |
8 |
620/8 |
20 |
SF-6 |
2 |
650 |
1.8 |
8 |
9 |
640/9 |
24 |
Table 13. Steel fibers test results of compressive strength
Si. No |
Mix design |
% Steel fiber |
7-Days Mpa |
14-Days Mpa |
28-Days Mpa |
1 |
SF-1 |
0.5 |
41 |
48.1 |
52 |
2 |
SF-2 |
0.75 |
42.5 |
50.2 |
53.4 |
3 |
SF-3 |
1 |
44 |
50.8 |
55 |
4 |
SF-4 |
1.5 |
48 |
51 |
56.2 |
5 |
SF-5 |
1.75 |
45.1 |
49 |
52 |
6 |
SF-6 |
2 |
43.6 |
45.4 |
51.2 |
Table 14. S.C.C test results for metakaolin trails
Mix design |
%Mk |
Slump test (mm) |
T50 slump(sec) |
L- Box(sec) |
V-funnel(sec) |
J-ring(mm/sec) |
U-funnel(sec) |
M-1 |
1 |
630 |
1.2 |
8 |
8 |
630/8 |
22 |
M-2 |
2 |
650 |
1.3 |
9 |
9 |
640/9 |
20 |
M-3 |
3 |
640 |
1.5 |
8 |
8 |
610/8 |
24 |
M-4 |
4 |
650 |
1.8 |
10 |
8 |
620/7 |
23 |
M-5 |
5 |
660 |
2.0 |
9 |
9 |
640/8 |
22 |
Note: MK is the metakaolin
Table 15. Metakaolin test results of compressive strength
Si. No |
Mix design |
% Metakaolin |
7-Days Mpa |
14-Days Mpa |
28-Days Mpa |
1 |
M-1 |
1 |
40.8 |
49.2 |
51 |
2 |
M-2 |
2 |
41.6 |
50 |
53.2 |
3 |
M-3 |
3 |
44 |
50.4 |
54.5 |
4 |
M-4 |
4 |
46.2 |
54 |
55.2 |
5 |
M-5 |
5 |
45.2 |
51.2 |
52.1 |
Mix design |
Slump test (mm) |
T50 slump (sec) |
L- Box (sec) |
V- funnel (sec) |
J-ring (mm/ sec) |
U- funnel (sec) |
CG |
630 |
1.2 |
8 |
8 |
630/8 |
22 |
CM |
650 |
1.3 |
9 |
9 |
640/9 |
20 |
Table 17. Compressive strength on combination trail with general and magnetic water
Si. No |
Mix design |
7-days Mpa |
14-days Mpa |
28-days Mpa |
1 |
CG |
55.2 |
66 |
70.2 |
2 |
CM |
58.3 |
69.9 |
77.5 |
Figure 1. Graph between % admixture and compression strength
Figure 2. Graph between % steel fiber and Compression strength
Table 18. S.C.C test results for cylinder trails
Sample |
Slump test (mm) |
T50 slump(sec) |
L- Box(sec) |
V-funnel(sec) |
J-ring(mm/sec) |
U- funnel (sec) |
Admixture |
630 |
1.2 |
8 |
8 |
630/8 |
22 |
Steel fiber |
650 |
1.3 |
9 |
9 |
640/9 |
20 |
Metakaolin |
640 |
1.5 |
8 |
8 |
610/8 |
24 |
Comb + general water |
650 |
1.8 |
10 |
8 |
620/7 |
23 |
Comb + Magnetic water |
660 |
2.0 |
9 |
9 |
640/8 |
22 |
Sample |
7-days |
14-days |
28-days |
|||
Load(N/mm2) |
T.S Mpa |
Load (N/mm2) |
T.S Mpa |
Load (N/mm2) |
T.S Mpa |
|
AD |
210 |
2.97 |
265 |
3.74 |
285 |
4.03 |
Steel fiber |
235 |
3.24 |
300 |
4.24 |
322 |
4.55 |
Meta kaolin |
220 |
3.11 |
280 |
3.96 |
291 |
4.11 |
Comb + General water |
260 |
3.67 |
320 |
4.52 |
348 |
4.92 |
Comb + Magnetic water |
282 |
3.98 |
345 |
4.88 |
365 |
5.16 |
Figure 3. Graph between % metakaolin and compression strength
Graphs are plotted between compressive strength and % of metakaolin added to the proportion of mix. Here the compressive strength values shown at is shown in Figure 3.
Table 20. Cost analysis for magnetic water self compacting concrete
Materials |
Rate |
Unit |
Quantity |
Amount |
Cement |
INR 270 |
Bag (50 kg) |
10 |
INR 2700 |
Sand |
INR 800 |
MT |
0.770 |
INR 616 |
Aggregate |
INR 650 |
MT |
0.948 |
INR646.2 |
water |
INR 250 |
8000 lt |
165 |
INR 5.15 |
Plasticizer |
INR 20 |
Lt |
4.4 |
INR 44 |
Steel fiber |
INR 8.5 |
Kg |
20 |
INR 170 |
MetaKaolin |
INR 15 |
Kg |
5.5 |
INR 82.5 |
Miscellaneous chargers |
|
|
INR 400 |
|
Total |
INR 4663 |
In general M40 grade self compacting concrte on market price is 5000.
In cost comparision wise Magnetic water self compacting concrete is less compair to Self Compacting Concrete.
Table 21. Cost comparsion of SCC & MWSCC
Si. No |
Mix Design |
Cost of SCC |
Cost of MWSCC |
Excess (%) |
Less (%) |
1 |
M40 |
INR 5000 |
INR 4663 |
--- |
6.74 |
This paper explains how the influence of magnetic water influences self compacting and how it strengthens the characteristics of concrete. Due to this purpose, 985 gauss magnetic strength is used to prepare magnetic water. The conclusions based on the above research on this paper are stated as given below:
This work had been endorsed by the Research on Polypropylene Foam, Development and innovation in Undergraduate studies at Vignan's Lara Institute Technology & Science. And also special thanks to "L.C.C Ready mix Concrete Pvt Ltd, Gunntur".
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