Investigating the effect of M-sand on abrasion resistance of Fly Ash Roller Compacted Concrete (FRCC)

•The Cantabro loss is an effective test to measure the abrasion resistance of FRCCP.•An empirical equation is proposed to measure the surface abrasion loss of FRCCP for known values of Cantabro loss.•Empirical equations are proposed for strength and abrasion resistance of FRCCP.

In this paper, an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of manufactured sand (M-sand) on the strength and abrasion resistance of Fly Ash Roller Compacted Concrete (FRCC). The cement was partially replaced by Fly ash at four content levels, i.e. 0%, 20%, 40% and 60%. The FRCC mixes were designed to have a flexural strength of 5 MPa. Fine aggregates of three combinations (Series A, Series B and Series C) were introduced in FRCC mixes, namely river sand (100%), M-sand (100%) and combination of river sand and M-sand (50% each). All the mixes are investigated by subjecting strength tests (compression and flexure) and two methods of abrasion resistance tests (Cantabro test and surface abrasion resistance test) at the ages of 3, 7, 28 and 90 days. Experimental results shows that the Cantabro loss and Surface abrasion weight loss were increased with increase in fly ash content at all ages in all three series of mixes. However, with addition of M-sand in FRCC the rate of increase is lowered in comparison with river sand mixes. Relationships were established between strength and abrasion resistance of all three series mixes. A model was proposed between Cantabro loss and surface abrasion weight loss of FRCC regardless of age of concrete, type of fine aggregate and percent replacement of Fly ash.