Assessment of the compressive strength of concrete with considering two problems: kerosene polluted sand aggregates and Makran Sea water

The leakage of oil products would result in contaminating the sands which are used in the concrete industry. In this study, the effect of sands contaminated with kerosene on the compressive strength of conventional normal weight concrete has been evaluated in two exposure conditions. Kerosene (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%, by weight of sand) was used to contaminate sand to prepare concrete specimens. Produced specimens were submerged in clean potable water (CPW) and Makran sea water. To evaluate the effect of kerosene soaked environment on compressive strength of concrete, a number of 12 uncontaminated samples were immersed in kerosene. 11% strength reduction in uncontaminated samples immersed in sea water was shown. A reduction up to 27% in the concrete compressive strength was occurred in 2% kerosene contaminated samples in the both exposure conditions studied. Subjecting concrete to kerosene soaked environment was not significant, however using contaminated sand adversely affect the compressive strength of concrete. Careful attention in design and analysis of concrete that has been produced from kerosene contaminated sand (KCS) should be considered.

Keywords:

Kerosene , Compressive strength , Concrete , Exposure conditions