MASTER CONCRETE ENTERPRISE Ltd.

MASTER CONCRETE ENTERPRISE Ltd.

Preface

   Every expert infatuated with his work can find satisfaction when a combination of knowledge, experience and creative inspiration results in unique achievements that can influence his sphere of activities progress. The same feelings are being experienced by specialists of the Research Institute for Concrete and Reinforced Concrete – NIIZhB, MASTER CONCRETE ENTERPRISE and Center for Modified Concrete involved in technology working out and bulk production of concrete of new generation – the High Performance Concrete, as well as in creation of organic–mineral modifiers of «MB» series which are being used in concrete manufacturing.

  Since the middle of 1980ies the world civil engineering sphere has welcomed the new structures and erections built of some new generation High Performance Concrete. This concrete is remarkable for its high (55–80 MPa) and very–high (over 80 MPa) strength, low permeability, increased corrosion resistance and durability which are achieved by using high–lump concrete mixtures. Generally the constructions erected with application of the said concrete are esthetically attractive.

  The key factor for the concrete manufacturing technology is a complex application of a mineral admixture of high activity – microsilica (silica fume) and superplasticizers.

  The well known examples of High Performance Concrete application are the complex of skyscrapers in Chicago, structures of the English Channel tunnel, a number of bridges in Japan, the Northumberland Strait bridge in Eastern Canada, Norwegian offshore drilling platforms in the North Sea and others.

  However, the perspectives of bulk production of the concrete and the new generation constructions being seemingly advantageous, they have not been applied in building on the wide range basis. The main reason for this turned out to be low workability of microsilica which, being a powder–like ultra fine substance of 150–200 kg/m³ bulk weight, is extremely inconvenient for transportation.

  Conversion of light microsilica into a paste–like or granulated form compacted to 500 kg/m³ bulk weight also doesn't solve the problem of workability and transportability completely. Such materials are generally being packed into inconvenient small volume bags and require special technological lines for reception, storage, dosing and delivery to be applied.

  An original solution of the problem has been found in Russia.

  Our specialists have worked out a manufacturing technology for MB series modifiers which contain all necessary components for production of the High Performance Concrete – microsilica or its mix with a fly ash and superplasticizer or its mix with other chemical admixtures.

  The modifier is a powder–like product of 750–800 kg/m³ bulk weight which has a range of advantages. Increased bulk weight makes them more workable and transportable, which decreases significantly the corresponding expenditures of concrete manufacturers. Besides, owing to synergistic effect, the composition of modifiers predetermines higher efficiency of each of the ingredients combined into a single form.

  The indicated advantages of the modifiers made it possible to arrange the bulk production of the High Performance Concrete (of high strength, low permeability, increased corrosionresistance and frostresistance) in Russia within a short period of time.

  Among the most interesting constructions built with application of the High Performance Concrete the following can be named:

  «Okhotny Ryad» Trading–Recreational Complex on Manezhnaya Square in Moscow («Wall in soil», columns and spanners. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 52–80 MPa, slump – 20–24 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F300);

  Header for engineering communications of 4 m diameter in B. Dmitrovka street in Moscow (Monolith–pressed tunnel lining. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 80 MPa, slump – 5–7 cm, brand of watertightness – W20);

  «Lokomotiv» stadium in Moscow (Tribunes and pillars structures. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 60–80 MPa, slump – 20–22 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F300–F1000)

  Bridges and viaducts in Moscow, Kaluga and Oryol (Cast–in–place secant piles, bridge superstructures, bridge floors. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 52–72 MPa, increased early strength concrete, slump – 20–24 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F300–F1000);

  «Park City» Complex of Moscow International Business Center «Moscow City» (Highway structures, base plate of concrete of low heat release and other structures. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 52–80 MPa, slump – 22–24 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F200–F1000);

  «Kuntsevo» complex of residential skyscrapers in Moscow (Columns and spanners. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 72 MPa, slump – 18–20 cm, brand of watertightness – W12, brand of frostresistance – F200).

  All these constructions are notable not only for the High Performance Concrete applied but for the high esthetic qualities level as well.

  Drawing your attention to the information concerning our Know How and its implementation experience, we hope to excite the curiosity of professionals and to enlarge the volumes of construction of highly esthetic engineering structures of the new generation modified concrete with high operational reliability.

NIIZhB,
Director,
Dr. Sc. (Eng.)
A. Zvezdov

MASTER CONCRETE ENTERPRISE,
Director,
Dr. Sc. (Eng.)
S. Kaprielov

Center for Modified Concrete,
Scientific Consultant,
Dr. Sc. (Eng.), Professor
V. Batrakov

	Since the middle of 1980ies the world civil engineering sphere has welcomed the new structures and erections built of some new generation High Performance Concrete. This concrete is remarkable for its high (55–80 MPa) and very–high (over 80 MPa) strength, low permeability, increased corrosion resistance and durability which are achieved by using high–lump concrete mixtures. Generally the constructions erected with application of the said concrete are esthetically attractive.
	The key factor for the concrete manufacturing technology is a complex application of a mineral admixture of high activity – microsilica (silica fume) and superplasticizers.
	The well known examples of High Performance Concrete application are the complex of skyscrapers in Chicago, structures of the English Channel tunnel, a number of bridges in Japan, the Northumberland Strait bridge in Eastern Canada, Norwegian offshore drilling platforms in the North Sea and others.
	However, the perspectives of bulk production of the concrete and the new generation constructions being seemingly advantageous, they have not been applied in building on the wide range basis. The main reason for this turned out to be low workability of microsilica which, being a powder–like ultra fine substance of 150–200 kg/m³ bulk weight, is extremely inconvenient for transportation.
	Conversion of light microsilica into a paste–like or granulated form compacted to 500 kg/m³ bulk weight also doesn't solve the problem of workability and transportability completely. Such materials are generally being packed into inconvenient small volume bags and require special technological lines for reception, storage, dosing and delivery to be applied.
	An original solution of the problem has been found in Russia.
	Our specialists have worked out a manufacturing technology for MB series modifiers which contain all necessary components for production of the High Performance Concrete – microsilica or its mix with a fly ash and superplasticizer or its mix with other chemical admixtures.
	The modifier is a powder–like product of 750–800 kg/m³ bulk weight which has a range of advantages. Increased bulk weight makes them more workable and transportable, which decreases significantly the corresponding expenditures of concrete manufacturers. Besides, owing to synergistic effect, the composition of modifiers predetermines higher efficiency of each of the ingredients combined into a single form.
	The indicated advantages of the modifiers made it possible to arrange the bulk production of the High Performance Concrete (of high strength, low permeability, increased corrosionresistance and frostresistance) in Russia within a short period of time.
	Among the most interesting constructions built with application of the High Performance Concrete the following can be named:
	«Okhotny Ryad» Trading–Recreational Complex on Manezhnaya Square in Moscow («Wall in soil», columns and spanners. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 52–80 MPa, slump – 20–24 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F300);
	Header for engineering communications of 4 m diameter in B. Dmitrovka street in Moscow (Monolith–pressed tunnel lining. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 80 MPa, slump – 5–7 cm, brand of watertightness – W20);
	«Lokomotiv» stadium in Moscow (Tribunes and pillars structures. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 60–80 MPa, slump – 20–22 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F300–F1000)
	Bridges and viaducts in Moscow, Kaluga and Oryol (Cast–in–place secant piles, bridge superstructures, bridge floors. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 52–72 MPa, increased early strength concrete, slump – 20–24 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F300–F1000);
	«Park City» Complex of Moscow International Business Center «Moscow City» (Highway structures, base plate of concrete of low heat release and other structures. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 52–80 MPa, slump – 22–24 cm, brand of watertightness – W12–W20, brand of frostresistance – F200–F1000);
	«Kuntsevo» complex of residential skyscrapers in Moscow (Columns and spanners. Concrete properties: compressive strength – 72 MPa, slump – 18–20 cm, brand of watertightness – W12, brand of frostresistance – F200).
	All these constructions are notable not only for the High Performance Concrete applied but for the high esthetic qualities level as well.
	Drawing your attention to the information concerning our Know How and its implementation experience, we hope to excite the curiosity of professionals and to enlarge the volumes of construction of highly esthetic engineering structures of the new generation modified concrete with high operational reliability.



NIIZhB, Director, Dr. Sc. (Eng.) A. Zvezdov	MASTER CONCRETE ENTERPRISE, Director, Dr. Sc. (Eng.) S. Kaprielov	Center for Modified Concrete, Scientific Consultant, Dr. Sc. (Eng.), Professor V. Batrakov