Performance Analysis of Concrete Incorporating Aloe Vera Gel and Dolomite Powder
摘要
Concrete is a composite and versatile material that is widely used in the construction field. The W/C ratio is one of the important parameters that affects the strength of concrete. Water used for construction should be portable and have a pH value between 6.5 and 8.5. In coastal areas and water-contaminated zones, the water contains a large number of dissolved solvents, which change the physical and chemical properties of concrete and form cracks, which reduce the strength of concrete. This can be achieved by adding aloe vera gel, which reduces the water content and improves the workability and strength properties of concrete. The curing process of concrete is exothermic and generates a large amount of heat and greenhouse gases. In this study, dolomite powder is partially replaced with cement, which reduces the heat of hydration and increases the strength of concrete by accumulating in the voids. Aloe vera and dolomite are combined with concrete; fresh and hardened properties were analyzed. The replacement percentages tried were 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5% of aloe vera and 12% of dolomite, and compressive strength was examined. Results show that the maximum strength of 35.25 N/mm2 can be achieved by adding 3% of aloe vera.