Seven-Year Study on the Effect of Silica Fume in Concrete

An experimental and numerical study of the long-term interaction between silica fume and Portland cement in concrete subjected to air, water, or sealed curing is outlined. About 250 kg of eight qualities of each concrete were studied at four different ages each over a period of 7 years between 1989 and 1996. Parallel studies of strength, hydration, and internal relative humidity were performed. Half of the concretes contained silica fume. New and original results and analyses of the interaction between Portland cement and silica fume related to compressive strength, split tensile strength, hydration, and internal relative humidity are presented. The specimens are available for future measurements.