Effect of Calcium Stearate in the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Concrete with PCC and Fly Ash as Binders

This work aims to study the effect of Ca(C18H35O2)2 (calcium stearate) on the properties of concrete by using Portland composite cement (PCC) and fly ash as binders. The calcium stearate content used in the concrete here consists of 0, 1, 5, and 10 kg per m3 of concrete volume, or alternatively, 0 to 2.85% by the weight of cement. We have performed several tests for each of the contents, namely, compressive strength, water absorption, chloride ion infiltration, and accelerated corrosion tests. According to the testing, we have found that with the addition of calcium stearate at 1 kg/m3 in self-compacting concrete (SCC) with 10% fly ash, the mechanical and physical properties of SCC can be improved significantly when compared to the SCC without fly ash and calcium stearate, resulting in a stable compressive strength, lower water absorption, lower chloride ion infiltration, and lower degree of corrosion attack.