Improving strength, drying shrinkage, and pore structure of concrete using metakaolin

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the use of metakaolin (MK) as a supplementary cementing material to improve the performance of concrete. Two MK replacement levels were employed in the study: 10% and 20% by weight of the Portland cement used. Plain and PC-MK concretes were designed at two water–cementitious materials (w/cm) ratios of 0.35 and 0.55. The performance characteristics of the concretes were evaluated by measuring compressive and splitting tensile strengths, water absorption, drying shrinkage, and weight loss due to the corresponding drying. The porosity and pore size distribution of the concretes were also examined by using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Tests were conducted at different ages up to 120 days. The results revealed that the inclusion of MK remarkably reduced the drying shrinkage strain, but increased the strengths of the concretes in varying magnitudes, depending mainly on the replacement level of MK, w/cm ratio, and age of testing. It was also found that the ultrafine MK enhanced substantially the pore structure of the concretes and reduced the content of the harmful large pores, hence made concrete more impervious, especially at a replacement level of 20%.