International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 10 | Oct 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
To Study the Enhancement of the Concrete Properties
Prof. Prashant Kapure¹, Mr. Shreyash Kamble², Mr. Kshitij Katare³, Mr. Omkar Kharade´
¹Lecturer, Dept. of Civil Engineering, AISSMS Polytechnic, Pune, Maharashtra, India,
²Diploma Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, AISSMS Polytechnic, Pune, Maharashtra, India
³ ,⁴Diploma Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, AISSMS Polytechnic, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Abstract - Concreteisafundamentalconstructionmaterial, butitsuffersfromlowtensilestrength,cracking,andlimited durability.Enhancingconcretepropertiesusingeconomical and easily available materials like fly ash, micro-silica, recycled aggregates, and fibers has gained significant research interest. This paper reviews six major research studies and their referenced literature to identify costeffectivemethodsforimprovingconcrete.Thestudyfocuses on cube casting experiments to evaluate compressive strength,makingitpracticalforcapstoneprojectsandlowbudgetapplications.
Key Words: Concrete enhancement, Fly ash, Microsilica, Recycled aggregates, Fiber reinforcement, Compressive strength, Cube testing.
1NTRODUCTION
Concrete is widely used in civil engineering due to its strength, versatility, and affordability. However, conventional concrete suffers from cracking, low tensile strength,andreduceddurability.Studiesshowthatadditives likeflyash,micro-silica,fibers,andrecycledaggregatescan improvemechanicalanddurabilityproperties.Thissurvey reviews recent work and plans practical cube casting experiments using economical materials for strength evaluation.
Summary of Literature Review
Paper 1: Ashokan et al., 2023
Studied the effect of nano-silica on concrete. Found that nano-silica enhances compressive and tensile strength by filling micro-pores. Concluded that 2–5% nano-silica by weightofcementgivesthebestperformance.
Paper 2: Alibeigibeni et al., 2025
Investigated recycled aggregates in concrete. Partial replacementofnaturalaggregateswithrecycledaggregates improves sustainability, though slight reduction in compressive strength occurs. Suggested 20–30% replacementisoptimal.
Paper 3: Jahami et al., 2024
Focused on fly ash as a partial cement replacement. Observed improved workability, durability, and gradual strength gain over 28 days. Recommended fly ash replacement of 10–15% for economical and sustainable concrete.
Paper 4: Bekturganova et al., 2025
Studiedpolymeradditivesinconcrete.Foundthatpolymers improvehydration,earlystrength,andcrackresistance,but costandchemicalhandlingareconcerns.
Paper 5: Kich et al., 2022
Analyzed fiber-reinforced concrete. Addition of polypropyleneorsteelfibersincreasesductilityandcrack resistance.Strengthimprovementdependsonfibertypeand dosage(0.5–1%).
Paper 6: Khan et al., 2024
Investigated hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete. Combined fiberswithflyashandmicro-silicatoenhancecompressive and tensile strength as well as durability. Recommended combinationforhigh-performance,low-costconcrete.
Tabular Summary of Literature Review
Paper Material Mix / Method Key Findings
1 Nano-Silica 2–5% by weightcement Improves compressive&tensile strength
2 Recycled Aggregates 20–30% replacement Sustainability improved; slight reductioninstrength
3 FlyAsh 10–15% replacement Better workability, durability, gradual strengthgain
4 Polymer Additives Polymer modifiedmix Enhances hydration, earlystrength, crack resistance
5 Fibers 0.5–1%steelor polypropylene Improves ductility, reducescracks
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 10 | Oct 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
6 Hybrid Fibers + Fly Ash + MicroSilica Combinedmix Best performance, economical,durable
Gap Analysis Table
Paper Limitation Found Research Gap
1 High-cost nanomaterial Need low-cost alternatives like micro-silica
2 Requires pretreatment Test simple recycled aggregate mixes
3 Slowstrengthgain Combine with micro-silica for fastergain
4 Chemical handling &cost Use safer and economical additives
5 Minorcostincrease Optimize fiber dosage
6 Complexmixdesign Simplify for practical cube casting
Aim
To study the enhancement of concrete properties using economical and easily available materials through cube castingexperiments.
Objectives
1.Castconcretecubesusingflyash,micro-silica,fibers,and recycledaggregates.
2.Evaluatecompressivestrengthat7,14,and28days.
3.Compareresultswithconventionalconcrete.
4.Identifybesteconomicalmixforpracticalapplication.
Methodology
Materials
i. OPC43GradeCement
ii. RiverSand(FineAggregates)
iii. CrushedStone(CoarseAggregates,20mm)
iv. FlyAsh(10%ofcementweight)
v. Micro-Silica(5%ofcementweight)
vi. RecycledAggregates(20%replacement)
vii. Fibers(0.5–1%,steelorplastic)
viii. Cleanpotablewater
Mix Design
Baseline:1:2:4(Cement:Sand:Aggregate)–M20grade
MixVariants:
Mix No Composition Purpose
M1 Conventional Baseline
M2 FlyAsh10% EconomicalSCM
M3 Micro-Silica5% Strengthenhancement
M4 FlyAsh+Micro-Silica Combinedeffect
M5 FlyAsh+Fibers Crack reduction & ductility
M6 Fly Ash + Recycled Aggregates Sustainability
Cube Casting Procedure
1.Measureallmaterialsaccurately.
2.Mixdrymaterialsthoroughly,thengraduallyaddwater.
3.Castconcreteinto150×150×150mmmoldsin3layers, compactingeachlayer.
4.Allowcubestosetinmoldsfor24hours.
5.Transfercubestoawatertankforcuring(7,14,28days).
6. Test cubes using Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for compressivestrength.
GraphicalData (OurExperiment’s Expected Result)
Graph 1: Compressive Strength vs Curing Days
2025, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 8.315 | ISO 9001:2008
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:
Volume: 12 Issue: 10 | Oct 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Graph 2: Strength Improvement % vs Mix
Graph 4: Mix Composition vs 28-Day Strength
Graph 3: Additive Comparison –
Graph 5: Cost-Effectiveness vs
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 10 | Oct 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
3.JahamiA.,etal.,2024,Flyashconcrete,MaterialsScience &Engineering
4.BekturganovaN.,etal.,2025,Polymeradditives,Advances inMaterialsScience&Engineering
5.KichR.,etal.,2022,Fiber-reinforcedconcrete,Materials Research
6.KhanS.A.,etal.,2024,Hybridfiber reinforcedconcrete, JournalofBuildingMaterials&Structures
Review & Discussion
Fly Ash: Economical, improves workability & strength
Micro-Silica: Fills micro voids, increases early strength
Fibers:Reducescracks,improvesductility
Recycled Aggregates: Sustainable, slight strength reduction
CombinedMix(FlyAsh+Micro-Silica)providesbest performance
Expected Conclusion
Cube casting with economical additives enhances compressivestrength.
Flyash+micro-silicamixgivesoptimalstrengthat lowcost.
Fiber addition improves crack resistance and ductility.
Methodologyissimple,reproducible,andsuitablefor capstoneprojects.
Future Scope
i. Durabilitytestingunderacidic/sulfateenvironments
ii. Useinpaverblocks,slabs,orlow-costconstruction
iii. Combine with superplasticizers for high-strength concrete
References
PrimaryResearchPapers:
1. Ashokan A., et al., 2023, Nano-silica concrete enhancement,JournalofMaterialsScience
2.AlibeigibeniA.,etal.,2025,Recycledaggregates,Buildings
ReferencesCitedbyThesePapers:7.Debetal.,2015–Nanosilicaconcrete
8.Adaketal.,2014–Nano-materialsinconcrete
9.Kimetal.,2013–Recycledaggregates
BIOGRAPHIES
Prof.PrashantKapure (FirstAuthority)LecturerFaculty, Dept.ofCivilEngineering, AISSMSPolytechnic,Pune Email: pvkapure@aissmspoly.org.in
Mr. Shreyash Kamble (Second Authority)DiplomaStudent,Dept. of Civil Engineering, AISSMS Polytechnic,Pune Email: kambleshreyash285@gmail.com
Mr.OmkarKharade(Member) Diploma Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, AISSMSPolytechnic,Pune 2nd Author Photo
Mr.KshitijKatare(Member) Diploma Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, AISSMSPolytechnic,Pune
Photo