Enhancing sustainability in RC beams with magnetically treated mixing water for improved flexural performance

The Civil Engineering network continues to produce high-performance materials and environmentally sustainable construction for society. A new technology has been developed to enhance the properties of concrete through water magnetization. The Magnetized treated water (MW) has received increasing attention from the scientific community due to its potential to enhance the hydration process. Due to the effect of magnetic field on normal water (NW) while mixing with concrete, the molecular structure is oriented into a more uniform shape and enhances the hydration process, which directly influences the strength properties of concrete. This research article investigates the effectiveness of MW in enhancing the properties of concrete through a comprehensive study involving fresh property tests, mechanical strength evaluations, and durability assessments. The structural behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) beams prepared using NW and MW with an M40 grade concrete mix was experimentally investigated to evaluate the influence of MW on flexural performance. The workability of MW mixed concrete improved by up to 42.7% to the NW mix. The compressive strength and split tensile strength of concrete prepared with MW increased by up to 12.29% and 19.8%, respectively, indicating a significant enhancement in mechanical performance. The influence of magnetically treated water (MW) on reinforced concrete beams was found to enhance flexural strength by up to 12.8% compared to the control beams prepared with normal water, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving structural performance. Moreover, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that concrete prepared with MW exhibited a significantly greater formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel compared to the mix made with NW. The micrographs showed a denser and more uniform matrix in the MW-based concrete with fewer microcracks and voids, indicating improved hydration and better bonding between cement particles.