Virtually every concrete structure comes into contact with abrasive effects of flowing media or solids, which have a direct impact on the durability of concrete. An abrasive effect is most pronounced in transport or water management structures, and these structures are often designed for a significantly longer service life (usually 100 years). This research evaluates the influence of the filler component in terms of the type of aggregate and its mineralogical composition on concrete abrasion resistance. As part of the impact of the binder component, several concrete mixtures were produced using the same aggregate and maintaining the same strength class with the addition of different types of active and inert mineral additives. In other parts of the research, the effect of adding fiber reinforcement on the abrasion resistance of concrete was verified. Mutual connections and correlations in different age groups (7, 28 and 90 days) were sought for all obtained results. The abrasion resistance of the composite was monitored by using standard procedures, especially using a Böhm device. It was found that for good abrasion resistance of concrete, it is not necessary to produce concretes with high strength classes using often expensive mineral additives (microsilica) and quality aggregates, but the maturation time of the composite and its microstructure plays an important role.

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The presented research aims to clarify the specific effect of the individual components of concrete with Portland cement CEM I 42.5 R on the volume changes of concrete. The effect of the filler component was evaluated from the point of view of the composition and type of aggregate (crushed versus mined) and from the point of view of the mineralogical composition of the aggregate. Concrete formulas with a maximum aggregate grain size of 16 and 22 mm were assessed. The effect of the binder component on the shrinkage of the concrete was monitored on the concrete mixtures produced using the same aggregate and maintaining the same strength class of concrete, C 45/55. The effect of the addition of finely ground limestone, finely ground granulated blast furnace slag and coal high-temperature fly ash was monitored. It was found that the maximum aggregate grain and the type of grading curve do not have a significant effect on the volume changes of concrete. Concretes with mined aggregates showed lower shrinkage than concretes with crushed aggregates. The most significant is the effect of the type of aggregate on the volume changes in the first 24 h. Mineral additives have a positive effect on the elimination of the volume changes of concrete, while the addition of high-temperature fly ash proved to be the most suitable.

Cement hydration is a process during which the setting and hardening of cement stone occur. This process is linked to the significant development of heat of hydration, which is accompanied by volume changes of concrete composite (i.e. shrinkage). Due to this, cracks in a concrete composite can arise and influence not only its durability, mechanical parameters or aesthetics but, in the case of water-tight concretes (e.g. the so-called white boxes), also its function. The extent of volume changes can be influenced not only by the composite structure itself or the selection and amount of cement but also by using suitable active additions, e.g. high-temperature fly ash. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of cement required while maintaining identical mechanical parameters of concrete and, at the same time, slow down the progress of heat of hydration during cement hydration. One of the other options to eliminate volume changes in concrete composites is the use of shrinkage-reducing additives (SRA). This article focuses on the SRA influence on volume changes of high-performance concretes and their impact on the development of hydration temperatures and mechanical parameters of composites.