SEMINAR ON

REACTIVE POWDER CONCRETE

PRESENTED BY
BHARATH M

INTRODUCTION
Concrete is a critical material for the construction of infrastructure facilities
throughout the world.
As technology advances, it is but natural that concrete technologies are
directing their attention beyond high strength concrete to ultra high strength
concrete. The following techniques are used for producing ultra high strength
concrete.
i.
Compaction by pressure.
ii. Helical binding.
iii. Polymerization in concrete.
iv. Reactive powder concrete.
The concept of RPC was first developed by Richard and Cheyrezy. RPC was
first produced in the early 1990s by researchers at Bouygues laboratory in
France. RPC was nominated for the 1999 nova awards from the construction
innovation forum.
Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is a new material becoming available.
Development of an ultra-high strength ductile concrete designated RPC
(Reactive Powder Concrete), was made possible by the application of a certain
number of basic principles relating to the composition, mixing and post-set
heat curing of the concrete.

REACTIVE POWDER CONCRETE

Reactive Powder Concrete is a high strength ductile material
formulated from a special combination of constituent materials.
These materials include portland cement, silica fume, quartz flour,
fine silica sand, superplasticizer, water, and steel or organic fibers.
Classified as Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), or
Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC), the material consist of a concrete
using sand as its largest aggregate and fine steel fibers
distributed within the concrete.
Reactive Powder Concretes (RPC) are characterized by high
silica fume content and very low water to cement ratio.

RPC COMPOSITION
RPC is able to obtain its improved properties by using a very dense
mix, consisting of fine particles and fibers.

Low w/c ratio : 0.16 to 0.24 (as low as 0.13)

Portland cement
Silica fume (25% by weight)
Water
High dosages of super plasticizer
Fine quartz sand (150-600m) (SG=2.75) The largest aggregates
typically used for RPC are fine sands with other solids within the
mixture orders of magnitude smaller.
Steel fibers (2.5-10% by volume) for toughening. Steel fiber
reinforcement is also fine, with diameter of the order of 0.2 mm and
typical lengths of 12 mm
No rebar needed!
Cured in steam bath for 48 hrs @ 190F (88C) after initial set,
placed under pressure at the molding stage

PRINCIPLES FOR DEVELOPING RPC

Richard and Cheyrezy indicate the following principles for
developing RPC:
Elimination of coarser aggregates for enhancement of
homogeneity.
The optimal usage of superplasticizer to reduce w/c ratio and
improve workability.
Application of pressure (before and during setting) to improve
compaction.
Post-set heat treatment for the enhancement of the
microstructure.
Addition of small-sized steel fibers to improve ductility.

COMPARISION
HPC ( 80 Mpa )
Compressive strength
Flexural strength
Modulus of elasticity
Fracture toughness

RPC 200

80 Mpa

200 Mpa

7 Mpa

40 Mpa

40 Gpa

60 Gpa

<10^3
j/m^2

30 x 10^3
j/m^2

As fracture toughness, which is a measure of energy absorbed per

unit volume of
material to fracture, is higher for RPC, it exhibits high ductility.
mechanical properties, RPCs have an ultra-dense microstructure,
waterproofing and durability characteristics. These materials can
therefore be used for industrial

COMPARISION OF HPC AND RPC

Abrasive wear

2.5 times lower

Water absorption

7 times lower

Rate of corrosion

8 times lower

RPC has ultra-high durability characteristics resulting from its

extremely low porosity,
low permeability, limited shrinkage and increased corrosion
resistance. In comparison to HPC,
there is no penetration of liquid and / or gas through RPC.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Compressive strength of RPC and HPC

The compressive strength test shows that RPC has higher
compressive strength than HPC . Compressive strength at
early ages is also very high for RPC. Compressive strength
is one of the factors linked with the durability of a
material.

WATER ABSORPTION

Water absorption of RPC and HPC

The incorporation of fibers and use of heat curing are seen to marginally increase
the water absorption. The presence of fiber possibly leads to creation of channels
at the interface between the fiber and paste that promote the uptake of water. Heat
curing, on the other hand, leads to the development of a more open microstructure
(compared to normal curing) that could result in an increased absorption .

ADVANTAGES

Great durability
Very low permeable
No carbonation or penetration of chlorides and sulfates, high
resistance to acid attack. (due to low and disconnected pore
structure resulting from the size of the powder materials)
Almost no shrinkage or creep
Light weight
Long life
Improved homogeneity
Elimination of reinforcing steel
Virtually self-placing or dry-cast

APPLICATIONS

RPC is used in manufacturing of sewer pipes , pressure pipes .

Because of its light weigth its very easy to transport and
installation . More resistant to sulphates and chemicals.
RPC can be used as repair and retrofit material as it possesses
high bond strength and high adhesive character .
RPC is very suitable for structures having thin and light
components like roofs of stadium , long span bridges , blast
resist structures etc
Suitable for industrial and nuclear waste storage facilities .

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Below are a few examples of real-world applications,

though the future possibilities are endless.
First bridge that used RPC was a pedestrian bridge in
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. (230MPa) It was used during
the early days of RPC production. Has prompted bridge
building in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
Portugal has used it for seawall anchors
Australia has used it in a vehicular bridge
France has used it in building power plants
Qinghai-Tibet Railway Bridge
Shawnessy Light Rail Transit Station

Precast, Prestressed Pedestrian Bridge

Worlds First Reactive Powder Concrete
Structure
Construction of the
Sherbrooke bridge

Sherbrooke bridge, Quebec,

Canada

Sakata-Mirai Footbridge

Qinghai-Tibet
Railway

Shawnessy Light Rail

Transit Station in Iowa
(2004) First UHPC Bridge
in U.S.

CONCLUSION
RPC is an emerging technology that tends a new properties
from high performance concrete to ULTRA HIGH
STRENGTH CONCRETE . It has immense potential in
construction due to superior mechanical and durability
properties than conventional high performance concrete, and
could even replace steel in some applications. The development
of RPC is based on the application of some basic principles to
achieve enhanced homogeneity, very good workability, high
compaction, improved microstructure and high ductility. RPC
has an ultra-dense microstructure, giving advantageous
waterproofing and durability characteristics.