2016 Volume 54 Issue 7 Pages 702-709
A new cementitious binder and manufacturing method were developed with the aim to achieve the highest possible level of compressive strength with cast molding. Use of a powder mix with closest packing characteristics and application of heat curing to specimens that were subjected to water soaking treatment for moisture supply from the surface toward the inside immediately after demolding resulted in development of extremely high strength on the order of 450 to 464 N/mm2. Attainment of a pore-free structure was confirmed by analysis of the composition and pore structure of the hardened material thus obtained. Further, the possibility of achieving even higher compressive strength exceeding 500 N/mm2 by improving the filling ability of the binder through the use of spheroidized cement powder was confirmed. Going forward, control of brittle fracture will be important for the structural use of this pore-free concrete. This may necessitate, for example, its combination with new shrinkage reducing agents or super fibers.
