Silica-Based Concrete Additives

Silica fume is added to concrete and initially, it remains inert. It is only when the Portland cement is and water is added to the mix, the reaction begins. Due to hydrating, the primary chemical reaction occurs between the two chemical compounds, i.e.,

• Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH): It is the produces strength for crystallization, and
• Calcium Hydroxide (CH): It is a by-product of free lime that is responsible for nothing more than lining available pores within the concrete as a filler or leaching out of inferior concrete.

Precision Drawell Pvt. Ltd., a leading silica fumes manufacturer in India claims that CSH provides with improved compressive, flexural, and bond strength. It is a much denser matrix, Silica fume (or Shotcrete) provides excellent resilience, long service life, and potential to withstand catastrophic events. Therefore, this premier global building material is sustainable to use. This is important especially in cities like Delhi, where the construction Industry contributes to a large part of pollution in the city.

Another creative concrete additive that mankind has searched to make concrete high in strength and best in performance is the micro silica. By improving the physical and mechanical properties of concrete, micro silica is highly reliable and cost-effective concrete additive. Again, the dosage of micro silica is important. The ideal dosage is 4 to 15 percent of the weight of the cement. Still, to know the accurate dosage requirement, an advice from a structural engineer must be sought.

Precision Drawell Pvt. Ltd., a premier brand and micro silica manufacturer in India claims that Strongcrete micro silica can bring in greater economies of scale and faster execution of projects. Therefore, it suggests using these silica-based concrete additives in: 

• Infrastructure projects like bridges and fly-overs,
• Heavy equipment foundations
• Precast concrete products
• Seismic resistance structures
• Shotcreting the tunnels and mines
• Infrastructure based projects where impermeable concrete is required like  water treatment plants, dams, sewage treatment plans.
• For making residential, commercial, and public utility buildings.

It is strongly recommended to use gloves, eyes, and nose protection devices while handling and using micro silica and silica fumes.

Different Types of Wires Manufactured in India

There are different kinds of wires manufactured in India and each of them has their unique application and uses. Here is a list of few:

1.    Profiled wires: Profile wire manufacturers in India make these wires from high-carbon steel or the stainless steel in combination with the low carbon steel. The wire is mostly used in the automobile sector for washers, wipers, cutting blades. It is also used in engineering industries, kitchen accessories, utensils, and so on. 

2.    Steel spring washer wires: These wires are custom-made as per the taper requirement but are manufactured from high carbon steel. Also known as shaped circlip wires, the wires are supplied in Drawn and Annealed finish. The wire is mostly used in the manufacture of springs, snap rings, spring washers, spring washer wire. Depending upon the application of this wire, shaped wire manufacturers in India manufacture it in the square, rectangular or trapezoidal cross-sections.

3.    PC Wire: This wire is supplied in drawn or drawn straightened or stress relieved conditions. Since these wires are manufactured in accordance with different international standards, they can be supplied in plain or any intended finish.The different types of  PC wire supplied by Precision Drawell Pvt. Ltd., a leading steel wire manufacturer in Central Indiaare:

• 3 x 3PC wire or 3 ply x 3 mm high tensile steel stranded wires used in large bridges, flyovers, ports, and road dividers. These are manufactured as per the IS 6006-1983 (uncoated).
• A Ht wire of 4 mm is manufactured in accordance with the IS 6003-1983 for use in pre-stressed concrete industry.
• 2.5 to 5 mm hard drawn steel wire manufactured as per the IS 1785-Part-II of 1983.

The basic advantage of these PC wires is that it improves the bond strength between the pre-stressed steel wire and concrete. Thereby, reducing the frictional loss between the pre-stressed concrete wire and the concrete wire. 4mm intended PC wire and concrete pole wire also help to increase the anchorage efficiency.

4.    Shutter wires: Shutter wire manufacturers in India are manufactured using high-grade quality raw materials for use in the infrastructure and construction industry. The product range usually supplied starts from 7 SWG to 0SWG.

Steel Fiber Reinforcements Reduce Tunnel Costs

Steel fiber reinforcements are comparatively a sustainable solution. Typically, it utilizes half the amount of carbon dioxide emissions as compared to the production of the traditional reinforcement. Also, doing without the traditional reinforcement would mean skipping an entire step in the work process. It is because of these advantages, it is recommended to use steel fiber for hydro tunnel projects. This can be done easily without compromising the ability of the structure to withstand the heavy loads.

Since India is a hot and humid country, corrosion may affect the traditionally reinforced concrete segments. In contrast to this, fiber reinforced concrete is not affected by the chloride-induced corrosion. Since the fibers are not affected, the structure shall remain intact. Also, the steel fiber reinforcements are more resistant to handling and transportation as they are evenly distributed in the concrete.

As stated above, the advantages are too many. Therefore, it is possible that the tunnel lining costs can get decreased by up to 40%. Further, use of steel fibre for hydro projects tunnel would also mean reduction of embodied carbon dioxide by 50 percent or even more.

The awareness in India regarding the use of quality and environmentally friendly products is increasing in the Construction Industry. In cities like Delhi that are sprawling, there has been a great demand for good infrastructure that is environmentally sustainable as well. Precision Drawell Pvt. Ltd., is a leading name in the steel fiber industry. With up-to-date manufacturing strategies, the company is known to have an experience of 20 years. The high-tech solutions and technically strong solutions have generated a league of satisfied customers. Talking about tunnels, clients often want to use technology that has a lifespan of 100 to 120 years. This is understandable and therefore, it is recommended to use steel fiber reinforced concrete which is thoroughly tested.