V2I10P20

Development of Reactive Powder Concrete

Sanket Kulkarni^1*, V. B. Chavan²

Abstract

Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is an advanced cement-based composite belonging to the class of ultra-high-performance concretes (UHPC), known for its exceptional strength and durability. This study investigates the mechanical performance of RPC in comparison to a nominal concrete mix. The materials used in the preparation of RPC include Ordinary Portland Cement, quartz powder, sand, silica fume, steel fibers, admixture, and water, designed using a three-stage method based on the chemical composition of ingredients. Experimental results reveal a remarkable improvement in compressive strength RPC achieved 165.36 MPa at 7 days and 172.80 MPa at 28 days, compared to 32.17 MPa and 40 MPa respectively for nominal concrete. The enhanced microstructure of RPC leads to reduced porosity and permeability, thereby improving durability and extending service life with lower maintenance requirements. The findings confirm that RPC can serve as a superior alternative for high-strength, durable, and sustainable structural applications.

Keywords:

RPC, Cement, Silica fume, Strength Performance