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Experimental Assessment of Structure and Coarse Aggregate Size Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete
  • Tchandikou Ouadja Fare,
  • Mohammed Matallah,
  • Christopher Kanali
Tchandikou Ouadja Fare
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Corresponding Author:fare.ouadja@students.jkuat.ac.ke

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Mohammed Matallah
Universite Abou Bekr Belkaid Tlemcen Laboratoire de Productique de Tlemcen
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Christopher Kanali
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
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Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of specimen and coarse aggregate sizes on the mechanical properties (compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson’s ratio) of concrete. Cylindrical specimens of three concrete grades (C25, C45, C60) with two different coarse aggregate sizes (16 and 25 mm), and four specimen sizes (0.66 × 10 3, 1.57 × 10 3, 5.30 × 10 3, and 12.56 × 10 3 cm 3) were tested under static loading. The results reveal that smaller specimens consistently exhibited higher compressive strength and modulus of elasticity, with compressive strength reductions ranging from 51.54% to 56.42% as specimen size increased. Lower-grade concrete (C25) was more sensitive to size effects, while higher-grade concrete (C60) exhibited improved resistance. The Modulus of elasticity decreased by up to 30.5%, with smaller coarse aggregates sizes. Concrete bulk density decreased with specimen size, reflecting increased material heterogeneity and void content in larger specimens. Larger aggregates (25 mm) generally resulted in higher densities due to efficient packing, except in C60, where better binder quality offset this effect. The Poisson’s ratio increased slightly with specimen size, ranging from 0.15 to 0.25, reflecting greater lateral strain in larger specimens. Smaller aggregates occasionally exhibited higher Poisson ratios, indicating improved ductility.
08 Jan 2025Submitted to Engineering Reports
12 Jan 2025Submission Checks Completed
12 Jan 2025Assigned to Editor
12 Jan 2025Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Jan 2025Reviewer(s) Assigned