Study of Silica Fume as a Mineral Admixture for High-Performance Concrete

Abstract

Silica fume, a byproduct of silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production, has emerged as a key mineral admixture in the concrete industry due to its ability to enhance mechanical and durability properties . This study investigates the influence of silica fume on M20 grade concrete, replacing cement at 5%, 10%, and 15% levels. Compressive strength and workability tests were conducted on cube specimens, with results analyzed at curing periods of 7, 14, and 28 days. Given the ultrafine nature of silica fume, a superplasticizer was utilized to maintain workability. The experimental findings indicate a substantial improvement in compressive strength, with 10% replacement yielding the most favourable results as it is highlighting the suitability of silica fume in high-performance concrete applications