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Evaluation of mix specification and PFA as a cement replacer in concretes used in silage storage structures.

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Lenehan, J.J., O'Kiely, P. Evaluation of mix specification and PFA as a cement replacer in concretes used in silage storage structures, End of Project Reports, Teagasc, 1999.
Abstract
At present, concrete for silage storage structures is specified by the Irish Farm Development Service (DAFF, 1992) in terms of a characteristic 28 day crushing strength of 40 N/mm2 and a minimum cement content of 350 kg/m3. In addition, the maximum aggregate size used must not exceed 20 mm and the slump of the unplasticised concrete must not exceed 75 mm. There is no stipulation on the maximum water to cement ratio to be used. This specification represents a high strength concrete for agricultural use and has been upgraded to this level in an attempt to improve the material’s resistance to corrosion by silage effluent. A cement content of 350 kg/m3 is regarded as a relatively high cement content and may promote thermal cracking in the structures (Blackledge, 1990). This would result in a concrete which would be more susceptible to attack by corrosive effluent. A system of carrying out accelerated durability tests on concrete specimens under controlled conditions has been developed by Teagasc and University College Dublin (O’Donnell, C., 1993). Trials carried out by O’Donnell, indicated that cement content had little influence on the durability of concretes exposed to silage effluent for the ranges of mixes examined, but the use of excess water resulted in marked increases in deterioration. The present study aims to further examine the effect of (i) cement content and (ii) the use of PFA as a cement replacer.
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