Experimental study of the impact of microwave radiation on the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete
Abstract
Experimental study of the impact of microwave radiation on the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete
Incoming article date: 19.06.2023Heat treatment of concrete, along with steaming, is one of the main methods for accelerating the hardening of concrete and achieving its transfer, stripping and design strength. These concrete processing technologies are more often used in factories in the manufacture of mass-produced concrete and reinforced concrete products in curing chambers of periodic and continuous action, under portable hoods on stands and other installations, or in special thermoforms, thermal packs, cassettes, etc. However, there is an increasing need acceleration of concrete strength gain at the construction site at the time of construction and installation works associated with new construction, repair or reconstruction of existing buildings. The aim of the study is to study the acceleration of the strength development of concrete subjected to heat treatment using the energy of an electromagnetic field of microwave frequencies. The article presents the results of an experimental study of concrete samples for compression treated with microwave energy and the control group of samples gaining strength in natural conditions. The experimental data obtained indicate an increase in the strength of the treated concrete samples by 72.94% on day 1, by 27.83% on day 2, by 14.23% on day 3, and by 1.1% on day 7 in comparison with samples not subjected to microwave exposure. From the 14th day, a gradual drop in strength begins in comparison with the samples not subjected to heating with the help of electromagnetic fields, so on the 14th day the strength of the treated concrete samples decreased by 2.45%, on the 21st day by 32.17%, on the 28th day by 25.61%. As a result of the analysis of the obtained experimental data, it was concluded that microwave exposure to the concrete solution significantly increases the strength of concrete in the early stages, but negatively affects the design strength of concrete as a whole.
Keywords: microwave radiation, microwave, concrete, heat treatment, strength, construction