Volume 13, Issue 1, January 2015, Pages 136–144
Abraham Mengesha Woldemariam1, Walter O. Oyawa2, and Silvester O. Abuodha3
1 Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering Department, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia
2 Civil, Const. & Env. Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya
3 Civil Engineering Department, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Original language: English
Copyright © 2015 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Concrete shrinkage is a main concern of engineers due to its direct relation to cracking. Shrinkage and shrinkage cracks jeopardize durability and increase maintenance as well as rehabilitation cost. To enhance the durability, normally shrinkage reducing admixtures is used, but the chemical admixtures are not eco-friendly and economical. The chemicals are patented and manufactured in developed countries and soled to developing countries at exorbitant price. The manufacturing also emits toxic chemicals which significantly contribute to global warming. To alleviate this situation, research work was undertaken to determine the suitability of plant extract (Blue Gum extract) as shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) for concrete. Extracts from the bark of blue gum tree was prepared by boiling the bark in water. Mortar slabs were prepared for different percentage of dosage and flow level, which were then exposed to the environment, thus permitting measurement of shrinkage and cracks for different times (5hour, 3day, 7 day & 28 day). Results obtained indicate that the use of Blue Gum plant extract reduced shrinkage and cracks due to shrinkage on cement mortar.
Author Keywords: Eco-Friendly, Plant Extract, Shrinkage, Cracking, Shrinkage Reducing admixture.
Abraham Mengesha Woldemariam1, Walter O. Oyawa2, and Silvester O. Abuodha3
1 Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering Department, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia
2 Civil, Const. & Env. Engineering Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya
3 Civil Engineering Department, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Original language: English
Copyright © 2015 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Concrete shrinkage is a main concern of engineers due to its direct relation to cracking. Shrinkage and shrinkage cracks jeopardize durability and increase maintenance as well as rehabilitation cost. To enhance the durability, normally shrinkage reducing admixtures is used, but the chemical admixtures are not eco-friendly and economical. The chemicals are patented and manufactured in developed countries and soled to developing countries at exorbitant price. The manufacturing also emits toxic chemicals which significantly contribute to global warming. To alleviate this situation, research work was undertaken to determine the suitability of plant extract (Blue Gum extract) as shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) for concrete. Extracts from the bark of blue gum tree was prepared by boiling the bark in water. Mortar slabs were prepared for different percentage of dosage and flow level, which were then exposed to the environment, thus permitting measurement of shrinkage and cracks for different times (5hour, 3day, 7 day & 28 day). Results obtained indicate that the use of Blue Gum plant extract reduced shrinkage and cracks due to shrinkage on cement mortar.
Author Keywords: Eco-Friendly, Plant Extract, Shrinkage, Cracking, Shrinkage Reducing admixture.
How to Cite this Article
Abraham Mengesha Woldemariam, Walter O. Oyawa, and Silvester O. Abuodha, “The Use of Plant Extract as Shrinkage Reducing Admixture (SRA) to Reduce Early Age Shrinkage and Cracking on Cement Mortar,” International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 136–144, January 2015.
