Reduction of cement content using graded aggregates in concrete production

The aim of this project was to reduce cement content in concrete mixtures by changing the aggregate grading. For this purpose, concrete mixtures were made with aggregates having different shapes, textures, and grading. However, the workability of concrete mix depends on its paste volume, paste composition, and the type of aggregate used. Concrete testing was performed, and concrete properties including slump, compressive strength, and tensile splitting test were tested. The effect of aggregate shape on workability was evaluated by comparing one aggregate combination to another. It was found that the aggregate combination with S/A= 0.4 GR-B-CA+NA-A-FA had optimum workability properties and generally, GR-B-CA+NA-A-FA consistently had the highest workability, as well as the highest paste volume demand. This can be attributed to its poor grading as a result of the gaps in GR-B-CA content. Compared with NA-A-CA + NA-A-FA, it resulted in concrete mixtures with lower paste volume demand.