Performance of spent garnet as a sand replacement in high-strength concrete exposed to high temperature

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanical properties, material composition of spent garnet as a sand replacement in high-strength concrete at room and elevated temperatures. Bonding of the concrete containing spent garnet and reinforcing rebar is investigated. Moreover, the optimum thickness of concrete cover subjected to elevated temperatures is investigated. Design/methodology/approach First, the plain spent garnet was physically, chemically and thermally studied. Then, a series of concrete specimens with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 per cent of spent garnet were prepared to determine the optimum percentage of spent garnet. Finally, the physical and mechanical behaviours of concrete specimens and effects of cover thickness on steel rebar when subjected to elevated temperature of 200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 800°C for 1 h were studied. It was observed that spent garnet was thermally stable compared to river sand. Findings Mechanical properties were found to be optimal for concrete with 40% spent garnet replacement. Physically, spent garnet concrete changed colour to brown at 400°C, and to whitish grey at 600°C. The residual compressive strength of spent garnet concrete was also found slightly higher than that for control specimens. At various high temperatures, the reduction in ultimate tensile stress for steel bar inside concrete cover of 30 mm was the lowest compared to that of 20 mm. Research limitations/implications Spalling effect it not considered in this study. Practical implications The optimum concrete cover is important issues in reinforced concrete design. This can be used as a guideline by structural designers when using a different type of concrete material in the construction. Social implications Utilization of the waste spent garnet reduces usage of natural aggregates in concrete production and enhances its performance at elevated temperatures. Natural aggregates are normally taken from sand and rock. The new innovation in concrete perhaps can produce light concrete, reduce the cost of concrete production and at the same time also mitigates environmental problems affect from waste material such as minimizing disposal area. Originality/value Utilization of spent garnet in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete at high temperature is a new innovation. It shows that the concrete cover of the concrete element reduced as compared to the OPC concrete. Reduce in weight concrete however the strength of concrete is similar to conventio