Impact of using colored pigments on rigid concrete pavements.

Concrete is one of the leading construction materials known for its strength and durability. However, it is an aesthetically unfriendly and somewhat boring material due to its dull gray color that should be covered or painted. Recently, there has been a growing use of colored concrete materials by adding colored pigments to the mixture. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), there is a need to incorporate full-depth colored concrete into streets and roadways projects, especially for road ramps, cycle lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks, and car parking spaces for disabled people, etc. This research aims to manufacture colored concrete pavement that might provide more durable, longer-lasting colored concrete features by adding a suitable pigment amount. This study examined concrete's compressive and tensile strength for M2O grade concrete colored with (0, 3, 5, 7, and 9) percent of red iron oxide pigment. The dosage of added coloring is referenced to the weight of the binder (cement). Test results show that adding color pigment to the concrete does not significantly affect its mechanical properties, and the colored concrete can be used for structural purposes. It is concluded that the optimal dosages of color pigment for the concrete are 5% in the fresh state and 7% in the hardened condition. Finally, using colored concrete in road facilities planning will be a safe, convenient, and economical way to control traffic conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]