Effect of Tuffcrete on Water Absorption in Concrete

Abstract

This study investigated the water absorption performance of tuffcrete concrete. Tuffcrete concrete was produced by mixing river sand, granite chippings, tuffcrete powder, tuffcrete liquid polymer (TLP), and water. Mix proportions of 1:2:4 (cement: sand: granite) at diluted TLP-cement ratio of 0.4 and 0.55 were experimented respectively. Tuffcrete powder was incorporated in dosages ranging from 5% to 50% of cement content at 5% intervals. They were included as additive to the concrete mix. The slump of plastic concrete was measured for the various mixes at 0.55 diluted TLP-cement ratio. Samples produced were cured by total immersion in water at room temperature for 28 days. The findings showed an 89.96% rise in slump as tuffcrete powder content increased from 5% to 50%. Substantial reduction in water absorption was observed as the quantity of tuffcrete increased. Optimum water absorption of 1% was observed at 50% addition of Tuffcrete powder at 0.55 diluted TLP-cement ratio. This gave a 90% drop in water-absorption when compared to the control value of 1.9%. Dosages between 30% and 50% also generated reasonable reduction in water absorption property when compared to control values. Therefore, the results obtained from this study revealed that Tuffcrete powder can improve construction durability, and moisture resistance in concrete.