Utilization of silica fume in concrete: Review of durability properties

With increased environmental awareness and its potential hazardous effects, utilization of industrial byproducts has become an attractive alternative to disposal. Silica fume (SF), which is byproduct of the smelting process in the silicon and ferrosilicon industry. Silica fume is very effective in the design and development of high strength high performance concrete.This paper covers the physical, chemical properties of silica fume, and its reaction mechanism. It deals with the effect of silica fume on the permeability, freezing and thawing resistance, corrosion, sulfate resistance, carbonation, and alkali-aggregate resistance of concrete.

► This review paper covers the physical, chemical properties of silica fume, and its reaction mechanism.
► It deals with permeability, corrosion, carbonation and resistance against freezing/thawing, sulfate, alkali-aggregate.
► Silica fume influences the thickness of transition phase in mortars and the degree of the orientation of the CH crystals.
► Addition of silica fume accelerates the hydration of cement at all stages of hydration.
► Silica fume results in significant reduction in the chloride-ion diffusion and improves the long-term corrosion resistance.