The Use of Saponite-Containing Material for Producing Frost-Resistant Concretes
A method for controlling the water-cement ratio of the concrete mix in the process of its hardening by the introduction of finely-dispersed additives of saponite-containing material (SCM), extracted from tailings of kimberlite ores of the diamond mining industry of the Arkhangelsk Region (deposit named after M. V. Lomonosov) is proposed. It is shown that the most efficient additive has an average particle size in the range of 400-600 nm. The dependence between the water absorption and the degree of dispersion of the material, which makes it possible to calculate the necessary amount of the additive in the composite mixture, has been obtained. Tests of prototypes of fine concrete with SCM for compressive strength were conducted; the brand of frost resistance of the concrete composite has been determined. Results of the test of prototypes for compressive strength show that the optimal amount of the SCM additive is 7% of the mix. This makes it possible more than to double the strength of concrete, improve the brand of frost resistance of the concrete composite up to F150.