Introduction. Wide introduction of fine concretes in the practice of monolithic building construction is limited by their low crack resistance due to considerable shrinkage. To reduce the shrinkage adverse effect on structure and properties of the fine concretes, it is suggested to use for their preparation composite binders, including expanding sulphoaluminate-based cements. Using the fine concrete with enhanced physical and technical properties improves produceability of construction, reduces labor input of concrete casting and allows building installations of complicated architectural forms. Material and methods. To study processes of fine concrete structure formation and properties, concrete mixes were prepared on the base of medium silica sand, dispersed ash entrainment and expanding additive. Activity of the ash entrainment increased at the expense of mechanical and chemical activation. Dispersity of the particles was monitored by means of laser granulometry. The composite binder was prepared by means of thorough homogenization of the basic CEM 42.5 Portland cement and different sorts of mineral aggregates, including an expanding additive based on calcium sulphoaluminate. Maturing conditions at a certain moisture content were simulated for every composition with subsequent evaluation of concrete performance. Results. Results of the study include effect of different mineral additives distinguishing in mineral composition, dispersivity and degree of hydraulic activity on shrinkage amount and kinetics, fine concrete porous structure parameters and strength. It is understood that amount of expansion has an effect on porous structure characteristics of the fine concrete and its strength performance. The study assessed an influence of maturing conditions on the various-composition fine concrete. A considerable influence of maintaining optimal moisture content during hydration on fine concrete technical properties is committed. Conclusions. It is understood that introduction of up to 10 % of expanding sulphoaluminate-based component in basic Portland cement allows to obtain fine concrete with enhanced crack resistance, impenetrability and longevity.

The formation of concrete structures by spraying method is widely used in the construction of underground structures. The technology of sprayed concrete (otherwise known as shotcrete) is widely used for fixing underground development, in the device of permanent lining of tunnels and collectors, as elements of shells and supporting structures of underground structures of urban infrastructure. Sprayed concrete makes it possible to widely vary the shape and thickness of design of underground structures, allowing to eliminate formwork and in some cases reinforcing. The creation of shotcrete structures with increased physical and mechanical properties, as well as technological parameters should be carried out taking into account the latest achievements in the field of construction materials science. The authors investigated the opti-mized compositions of sprayed concrete in which modified compound with optimally selected granulometric and mineralogical composition and the introduction of fiber into the concrete mixture are used as a binder. Due to the use of different degrees of stability in underground structures with a con-taining soil mass, the requirements for the characteristics of the spray tone can vary widely. Taking into account the spread of the " wet " method of spraying (where the finished concrete mixture is fed to the nozzle at a high speed), special requirements are placed on the rheological characteristics of the mixture and the deformation characteristics during bending (since the bearing capacity of the vaulted coatings depends directly on their ability to withstand loads in stretched zones), especially for lining of hard contour.

Introduction. The paper substantiates the actuality of the problem connected with obtaining efficient fine concretes possessing enhanced crack resistance, tightness, and duration for tunnel construction. This aim is pursued with the application of expansive cements (EC). Materials and methods. Various types of expansive agents were used in composition binders. Portland cement PTs 500 D0 was taken as the basic Portland cement. Studying hydration and structure formation processes during hardening of the ECs and EC-based concretes was executed utilizing a system of physicochemical methods. Assessment of construction and technical properties of the fine concretes based on composition binders was accomplished using standard research methods. Results. Analysis results are given for the effect of type and amount of the expansive agents on strength and volume deformation values of the concretes used in tunnel installation construction. Improvement of physical, mechanical, and technological properties and performance of sprayed concrete is shown. A general mechanism of influence of expansive additives (EA) on fine concrete properties is established. A classification of expansive cements for solving various tasks in tunnel installation construction is suggested. Conclusions. EA application efficiency is theoretically substantiated and experimentally proved for the case when the EA is used as an active agent in the composition binder for sprayed concrete in tunnel construction. General enhancement of technical indicators of concrete mixture and concretes is determined. EA classification is suggested for the different extent of hydrated EA expansion and various construction tasks. Replacement of standard Portland cement for an EC for underground structures concrete used in tunnel construction provides a significant increase in their maintainability.

Introduction. The study proves actuality of the problem connected with obtaining efficient slag-alkali binders for usage in soil jet cement grouting. Replacement of usual portland cement for a slag-alkali binder in geotechnical underground construction activities allows solving a problem of waste (slag) utilization and increase economic efficiency of the soil jet cement grouting. In view of cement grouting technology features and possibility of usage cementation mixtures with various engineering characteristics for different soil types, a broad nomenclature of slag-alkali compositions can be used for obtaining soil-concrete structures. Materials and methods. Different types of slag were studied as constituents of composite binders. The PTs 500 D0 cement was taken as the basic portland cement. Standard requirements for cementation mixtures of mixing and pump facilities for soil-concrete bodies became the criteria. Investigations of hydration and structure formation during hardening of slag-alkali binders and soil-concretes on their base were conducted using a system of physical and chemical methods. Evaluation of construction and engineering properties of the composite slag-alkali binder was accomplished in accordance with the methods as per GOST 10181-2014 and GOST 5802-86 state standards. Results. Results of analysis how the slag type and amount influence the physical and mechanical properties of the binder used for jet soil cementation are presented. The article shows improvement of physical, mechanical, process and usage properties of the slag-alkali binder. General mechanism of impact of the slag on properties of the cementation mixture were revealed. Conclusions. Efficiency of application of the slag as an active component of the composite binder for jet cementation in geotechnical construction was theoretically substantiated and experimentally demonstrated. General applicability of the obtained concrete mixture based on the slag-alkali binder is stated for usage in cementation methods of improvement of technical parameters of concrete mixture and concretes. A classification of expanding cements possessing various expansion degrees was suggested for solving different construction problems.

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