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John, A. T.
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Nwankwo, E.
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Azibanapeleni, A. O.
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Samson, O. F.
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Potassium alum is an aluminum and sulphate compound.
When added to the concrete mixing water, it accelerates the cement hydration.
This paper is aimed at investigating the influence of concentrated potassium
alum water on the properties of concrete. To achieve the research objectives,
potassium alums were milled to powder form and were dissolved in water at
different proportions of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, and 20%
relative to the water/cement ratio of 0.6. Then the dissolved water solution was
used as mixing water. A total of ninety-eight concrete cubes of 150 x 150 x 150
mm in accordance with BS EN 12390-2 were produced with potassium alum solution
at different proportions of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, and 20%.
Also, twelve (12) concrete cubes produced with clean mixing water were used as
a benchmark for samples produced with concentrated alum water. Mix ratio of
1:2:4 was adopted. The concrete cube specimens were cured according to BS EN
12390-2 and were preserved from dehydration. All the samples (108) were tested
for failure at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Results confirmed that 1 to 2.5%
addition of potassium alum into the mixing water improved the compressive
strength (CS) by 3%. Potassium-concentrated alum water reduces initial CS. An
increase in potassium alum content results in a decrease in workability and CS
and the reduction in workability is attributed to the high mixing water demand
for potassium alum. Potassium alum absorbs water more than Portland limestone cement.
Keywords: Concrete, Compressive strength, Alum, mixing water, Workability
https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v8i2_6
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Published
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Issue
Vol. 8 No. 2, December 2022
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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