International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 143

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

Behaviour of Concrete Partially Replacement of Cement by

Steatite and Polypropylene Fibre
Dr. T. BHAGAVATHI PUSHPA1, S. RAJESH KUMAR2*
Asst Professor, Dept of Civil Engg, University College of Engineering, Ramanathapuram, Tamilnadu
2
Anna University Regional Campus Madurai, Tamilnadu

ABSTRACT
The interest in the use of fibres for the reinforcement of
composites has increased during the last several years. Use
of fibres show considerable improvement in tensile
properties of concrete and also reduce shrinkage and cracks.
In this study, the results of the Strength properties of
concrete, setting time and pozzolanic activity of cement
using polypropylene fibre and steatite have been presented.
Steatite powder and polypropylene are used as a
replacement for cement. Cement is replaced with steatite
powder by 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, mass of cement and
0.5 % of polypropylene fibre by weight of concrete is
constantly added for all mixes. Ordinary Portland cement of
53 grade is used. The strength properties will be compared
with the conventional concrete for curing periods of 7, 14
and 28 days. The grade of concrete used in this project is
M30.
Key words: Concrete, Polypropylene Fibre, Steatite powder.

1.

INTRODUCTION

Steatite is a mineral which has been employed in the carving

of elements in facades of Brazilian historical buildings and
churches since the 17th century. The steatite mineral,
commonly known as soapstone, is the name given to a
metamorphic rock, largely composed of talc ore, rich in
magnesium. The setting time and pozzolanic activity of
cement when steatite powder. It is composed of hydrated
magnesium silicate: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2as a composite material
for restoration of steatite elementsand good mechanical
strength is used as replacement for cement. Initial setting
time, final setting time, and concrete cube strength were
studied. Addition of steatite powder increases the viscosity
and mechanical properties of feed stock. The addition of
carbon fibres may overcome this issue and increase the
flexural strength of the cement-steatite composite concrete.
Polypropylene fibres are hydrophobic in nature. Hence do
not absorb water. Mixing of concrete with polypropylene
fibre is a difficult task. The mixing time of fibrillated or tape
fibres should be kept to a minimum to avoid possible
shredding of the fibres.The type of polypropylene fibre
recommended by manufacturers for paving applications is
the collated fibrillated fibre. The length of fibre
recommended is normally tied to the nominal maximum size
of aggregate in the mixture. Manufacturers recommend that
the length of the fibre be greater than twice the diameter of
the aggregate. This would be consistent with past
experiences with steel fibres and also with current theories
on fibre dispersion and bonding. The manufacturers of
fibrillated fibres recommend their products for the following
purposes in paving: to reduce plastic shrinkage and
permeability, to increase impact resistance, abrasion
resistance, fatigue, and cohesiveness (for use in slip forming
and on steep inclines) and to provide a cost effective
replacement of polypropylene fibre.

Sudalaimanian D & Shanmugasundaram

(2015)[20]said that from that the study it can be concluded
that replacement of UFNSP with cement results in decrease
of IST and FST, and mortar cube strength were studied, due
to replacement of ultrafine natural steatite powder with
cement at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% by mass of
cement.This shows the increase in requirement of water to
produce cement paste. From all the above discussion it is
concluded that the suitable SP replacement percentage
should not exceed 20%.
Murahari (2013)[14]investigate deals with strength
properties of concrete containingclass C fly ash and
polypropylene fibrewith different proportions. In this study
various mixture of class C fly ash in ratio of 30%, 40% and
50% was used in the concrete mix containing polypropylene
fibre of volume fractions of 0.15,0.20,0.25,0.30 was used for
all fly ash concrete mixes. There is an increase in
compressive strength as compared with normal plain
concrete (without fibres) Splitting tensile strength of
concrete increases gradually by addition of Polypropylene
fibre from 0.15% to 0.30 %.).Flexural test of concrete
gradually increases with the addition of Polypropylene fibre.

2.

Methods and Material Properties

2.1

Methodology
Mix design of M30 concrete was done with various
proportions of steatite powder and polypropylene fibre.The
curing was done for 7, 14 and 28 days, after that the
hardened tests of compressive, flexural and tensile were
made on specimens for the strength test.
2.2 Material Properties
2.2.1 Steatite Powder
Steatite is the softest known mineral and listed as 1
on the Mohs hardness scale. The thermal properties of
steatite are also good. Lowest apparent porosity is achieved
when steatite particles are coarser, and 40%of polymeric
phase is employed. Addition of steatite powder increases the
viscosity and mechanical properties of feed stock. The
thermal properties of steatite are also good Indian steatite,
mined in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, is comparable with
the best quality available in other Countries. The chemical
properties of steatite powder are listed in Table 2.1.

www.ijaert.org

Table 2.1 Chemical Properties of steatite

Chemical Element

Result (%)

Sio2

44.73

Al2O3

3.70

Fe2O3

8.38

TiO2

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 144

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190
CaO

2.95

MgO

29.28

3.

NaO2
K2O
MnO

0.13

P 2O 5

0.01

Loss of ignition

10.34

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Compressive strength is most important property of

the hardened concrete. The concrete cubes were casted,
cured and tested accordance with the IS standard and 7, 14
& 28 days. Compressive strength result of concrete are listed
in Table3.1. The highest compressive strength value is 33
Mpa which is obtained at 28 days by replacement of 15% of
cement by steatite powder and 0.5% of polypropylene fibre
by weight of concrete when compared to the conventional
mix. Fig 3.1 shows that the compressive strength of concrete
for various mixes.

% steatite
powder

%
Polypropylene

7days (N/mm2)

14days
(N/mm2)

28
days(N/mm2)

2.2.2 Polypropylene Fibre

The failure mode of conventional concrete is
mainly due to spalling, while the failure mode of fibre
reinforced concrete is bulging in transverse direction. To
overcome some shortcomings of conventional concrete such
as low tensile and flexural strength, poor toughness, high
brittleness fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) has been
developed in recent years.Polypropylene fibres, produced by
the fibrillation of polypropylene films, have been used in
Portland cement concrete since the late 1960s (Bentur and
Mindess, 1990). With nominal lengths of 6, 12 and 18 mm,
polypropylene fibreis the ideal solution for concrete
mixtures susceptible to plastic shrinkage, cracking and
crazing. Addition of polypropylene fibres decreases the unit
weight of concrete and increases its strength. Inclusion of
polypropylene fibres reduces the water permeability,
increases the flexural strength due to its high modulus of
elasticity. The mixing time of fibrillated or tape fibres
should be kept to a minimum to avoid possible shredding of
the fibres.The fibre used in this study was purchased from
gangayam (thiruppur) The properties of polypropylene fibre
are listed in Table 2.2.

Mix

Table 3.1Compressive Strength

M1

22.03

26.7

31.03

M2

0.5

22.09

27.3

32

M3

10

0.5

23.5

27.9

32.90

M4

15

0.5

23.7

30

33

M5

20

0.5

22.02

28

30

Table 2.2Polypropylene FibreProperties

S.N.

Material

Polypropylene
Fibre

Density(g/cm3)

0.91

Tensilestrength
(Mpa)

500

Elongation rate

15%

Acid resistance

Fine

Length of
fibre(mm)

12

Diameter of
Fibre(mm)

38

Melting point(C)

160-180

Burning Point(C)

> 360

Colour

white

Fig: 3.1.Compressive Strength

From the result, the optimum strength is obtained at
replacement of 15% of fine aggregate by steatite powder &
addition of 0.5% polypropylene fibre by weight of concrete.
The compressive strength is gradually increased upto adding
0.5% addition of PP fibre and it was found that there was
decrease in strength with further increase in the percentage
of fibre added. Maximum Compressive strength of cube is
found to be 33 Mpa at 15% of cement by steatite powder &
addition of 0.5% polypropylene fibre by weight of concrete
and it increased by 6.3% than the conventional concrete.

www.ijaert.org

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 145

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190

14days (N/mm2)

28days(N/mm2)

1.2

1.7

2.9

M2

0.5

1.4

2.1

M3

10

0.5

1.8

2.3

3.3

M4

15

0.5

1.9

2.9

3.9

M5

20

0.5

1.4

1.6

3.3

28days(N/mm2)

7days (N/mm2)

%
Polypropylene

%
Polypropylene

Table 3.3Flexural Strength

% steatite
powder

%Steatite
powder

M1

specimen was failed at ultimate load which was noted from

dial gauge reading. From the result, flexural strength was
increased at replacement of 5% of fine aggregate by addition
of 0.5% polypropylene fibre by weight of concrete when
compared to the conventional concrete.Flexural strength
results of concrete are listed in table 3.3.

Mix

Mix

After curing of cylinders for respective days it was placed in

testing machine having a maximum capacity of 1000 KN
was applied on the cylinder specimens. The cylinder
specimen was failed at ultimate load which was noted from
dial gauge reading. From the result, it was found that the
split tensile strength was increased at replacement of 15% of
cement by steatite powder & addition of 0.5%
polypropylene fibre by weight of concrete when compared
to the conventional mix.Split tensile strength is most
important property of the hardened concrete. The concrete
cylinders were cast, cured and tested accordance with the IS
standard and 7, 14, & 28 days split tensile strength result of
concrete are listed in Table 3.2. Based on the result, the
highest split tensile strength value of 3.9 Mpawas obtained
at 28 days by replacement of 15% of cement by steatite
powder & addition of 0.5% polypropylene fibre by weight
of concrete when compared to the conventional mix. Fig 3.2
shows that the split tensile strength of concrete for various
mixes. Strength was increased 34.4% than the conventional
concrete.
Table 3.2Split Tensile Strength

M1

5.6

M2

0.5

M3

10

0.5

6.7

M4

15

0.5

7.34

M5

20

0.5

7.02

Fig: 3.3Flexural Strength

Based on result, the highest flexural strength value
of 7.34 Mpa with replacement of 15% Steatite Powder for
cement & 0.5% of PP fibre was added by the weight of
concrete when compared to the conventional mix. Fig 3.3
shows that the flexural strength of concrete for various
mixes. Flexural strength is increased by 31.10% than
conventional concrete with the replacement of SP &
addition of PP fibre in concrete.

4. CONCLUSION

Fig: 3.2Split Tensile Strength

After curing of prism specimens at 28 days, they
are placed in testing machine having a maximum capacity of
100 KN load was applied on the prism specimens. The

Based on test results, it was inferred that the percentage at

which the addition of polypropylene fibre by weight of
concrete with 15% constant replacement of cement by
steatite powder had given the better result when compared
the conventional concrete at 7,14 and 28 days of
compressive strength, split tensile strength and 28 days of
flexural strength.

www.ijaert.org

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Technology (IJAERT) 146

Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2016, ISSN No.: 2348 8190
Compressive strength increases with increase of
percentage of steatite powder up to 15%
The optimum compressive strength of 33 MPa was
obtained at 15% of cement replaced by SP & 0.5% of
PP fibre is added by the weight of concretefor M30
gradeand it was increased by 6.3% than the
conventional concrete.
Maximum split tensile strength of cylinder was found as
3.9 Mpa at the replacement of 15% SP & 0.5% of PP
fibre in the concrete and it was increased by 34.4%
than the conventional concrete.
Maximum flexural strength of prism was obtained as
7.34 Mpa with replacement of 15% Steatite Powder
for cement & 0.5% of PP fibre was added by the
weight of concrete and it was increased by 31.1% than
the conventional concrete.

References
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

BhavinK Kashiyani,JayeshkumarPitrodaBhavnabenK
Shah (2013), Effect of Polypropylene Fibers on
Abrasion Resistance and Flexural Strength for
Interlocking Paver Block,International Journal of
Engineering Trends and Technology,Vol.4, Issue5, pp.
93-97.
Chandakrajeev(2007),Polypropylenefibre and Silica
fume of Fibre Reinforced Concrete, International
Referred Journal of Engineering and Science, Vol. 4,
Issue 4, pp.60.
EswaramoorthiG.E.Arunkumar(2008),
Polypropylene
fibre
and
silica
fume
of
Geopolymerconcrete with Polypropylene, International
Refereed Journal of Engineering and Science, Vol. 3,
Issue 2 , pp.60-75.
Gokulakannan S, Sakthieswaran N (2015),
Experimental Investigation on Geopolymer Concrete
With
Ternary
Blends
of
Natural
Steatite
Powder,,Metakaolin, Rice Husk Ash and Coconut Shell
for Coarse Aggregate Replacement,
International
Journal of Engineering Research,Vol.3,Issue.3, pp. 6780.
Hariramalakshmi, Sakthieswaran N (2015), Effects
on Cement Blends of Concrete Containing Metakaolin,
Rice
Husk
Ash
and
Natural
Steatite
Powder,International Journal of Engineering Research,
Vol.2,Issue 8, pp. 90-103.
Jagadeesh K.A, Ramesh BabuE (2014), Flexural
Strength of Self Compacting Concrete with Silica Fume
and Polypropylene Fibres with and without
Reinforcement, International Journal of Advanced
Technology in Engineering and Science,,Vol.2, Issue
3,pp.70-85.

www.ijaert.org