Parameters of SCC Concrete Supplemented with Chalcedonite Powder

The results of the compressive strength tests, water absorption and rising capillary of SCC concrete modified by chalcedonite powder are presented in the article. The additive used in laboratory research was final waste stored in heaps in the aggregate mine. Chalcedonite powder is composed mainly of silica in crystalline form. It is present in small amounts of other compounds, i.e. opal, iron pyrite hydroxides, manganese compounds and clay minerals. Chalcedonite powder replaced the percentage amount of aggregate in the concrete mix; however, the amount of cement was left unchanged. CEM 1 42.5 cement was used in the study. The study indicates that the use of the additive in chalcedonite powder form does not reduce the compressive strength. The addition of chalcedonite powder to the concrete mix reduces the water absorption of concrete samples in contact with the water in the absorption test and the rising capillary. The optimum amount of the additive in chalcedonite powder form is 15% of aggregate weight in the cement mix.