Investigation into the Mechanical properties of concrete using Pebbles from Bida Environ as coarse aggregate in concrete production

Abstract

Strength performance remains the most important property of structural concrete, from engineering point of view. This paper investigates the mechanical properties of concrete made from Bida natural stones, extensive experimental work was con-ducted using 1,600 specimens for compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength and elastic modulus (four hundred specimens for each property). Central composite design was used for the factor setting with the following range of values; W/C= 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, CA/TA= 0.55, 0.615, 0.68, TA/C= 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0. The specimens were produced and cured for 7, 14, 21 and 28days. The highest strength was achieved using low W/C, low TA/C and high level of CA/TA corre-sponding to 0.4, 3.0 and 0.68 respectively.