DURABILITY STUDIES ON SIFCON

Abstract

Slurry infiltrated fibre concrete (SIFCON) is a relatively new material and can be considered as a special type of fibre reinforced concrete. However, it is different from normal fibre reinforced concrete in three aspect. They are, the fibre content, cementitious matrix and method of production. With the growing interest in the use of FRC materials in the construction industry a need to make clear their durability characteristics become very evident. The aim of this investigation was to study the durability of SIFCON under the varying concentration of sulphuric acid for different observation to simulate the effect of sulphur oxides. In addition the salt crystalisation test has also been conducted on SIFCON to study the resistance to freeze-thaw effect. All speciemens used, were cubes of 50 mm size with fibre (aspect ratio= 80) content 0, 6 and S percent. The experimental results showed that weight loss, water absorption and the reduction in compressive strength increases with the increase in observation period and concentration of the acid solution. But, however, the SIFCON stood well in salt- crystallisation test.