Influence of Superplasticizer Dosage and ‘Mixing Procedure on the Density and Strength of Reactive Powder Concrete by R. Schmiedmayer, Schachinger ‘Sunopsis: The effect of different dosages of superplasticizer and different mixing conditions (under atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum (1 kPa)) on the bulk density, compressive and flexural strength of reactive powder concrete made with ‘materials available in Germany were examined, The waterfoinder ratio ranged from 0.15 to 0.19, a carboxylic ester based superplasticizer was used. A decrease in bulk density (19), 7-day-compressive strength (14%) and 7-day-flexural strength (26%) was observed when increasing the superplasticizer (SP) dosage from 3 to 4 % fora reactive powder concrete having a water/binder ratio of 0.15. ‘When mixing was done under partial vacuum (15 kPa) the flexural strength (o/b = 0.15; SP = 39) increased by 7%. ‘Kewwords: atmospheric pressure, partial vacuum, reactive powder concrete, saturation dosage, silica fue, superplasticizer.R, Schmiedmayer studied civil engeneering atthe Technical University of Vienna, He was assistant atthe Institut for Building Constructions (Prof. Pauser) from 1990 to 1995. He isin charge ofthe research group for conctrete atthe Institute for Building Materials (Prof, Springenschmid / Prof. SchieBl) of the the Technical University of Munich since 1995. Since autum 1997 he is involved in a research program on reactive powder concrete. 1. Schachinger studied civil engeneering atthe Technical University of Munich. ‘Since autum 1997 he is member of the research group for reactive powder concrete at the Institute for Building Materials (Prof, Springenschmid / Prof, Schie®t) of the the Technical University of Munich, INTRODUCTION Tn recent years much research work has been done, to achieve ultrahigh strength with cement based materials. France and Canada have alteady achieved high ‘mechanical performance with “reactive powder“ concretes. Ultra high stength is Usually the result of the use of: + ahigh packing density ofthe granular mix, + the addition of siliea fume, ‘+ alow water-binder ratio, ‘cement with alow water demand and + avery efficient superplasticizer (SP). ‘The aim ofthis investigation reported here was to determine the effects of different superplasticizer dosages and mixing conditions (under atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum (15 kPa)) onthe bulk density, compressive and flexural strength of reactive powder conerete made with materials avilable in Germany ‘Actually the results of a preliminary test series will be presented inthis written contribution‘Sample preparation Morars were prepared with a conventional 2-speed mortar mixer. Refering o the ‘mixing procedure of de Larrard and Sedran //, the following steps were performed: 1. Mixing of water, silica fume and $0% of superplasticizer for 1 min, 2. Progressive incorporation ofthe dry homogenous cement-sand mixture during 4 min 3. Addition ofthe remaining superplasticizer and mixing for 2.5 minute at high speed. ‘The specimens were cast in steel moulds (160x40%40 mm?) and compacted using standard vibrating table. The specimens were stored at (20°C/95% R.HL.) and ‘demoulded after 24 hours. After the specimens had been stored under water for 3 days they were cured for another 3 days at 90°C and atmospheric pressure. Heat treatment at 90°C accelerates the pozzolani reaction, while modifying the microstructure ofthe hydrates /2/ A gain of 50% in compressive strength after 7 days is obtained in this way. Results ‘The results showed that when the water-binder ratio is equal to 0.15, the density (2305 to 2260 kg/m, Fig, 5) and compressive strength (199 to 178 MPa, Fig. 1) decrease when the superplasticizer dosage is increased from 2 to 4 % (solid content per unit weight of cement pus silica fume). The same tend was also ‘observed for a higher water-binder ratio equal to 0.19. These results could be explained by the conclusions of Shirkavand and Baggot /3/ who showed that by increasing the superplastcizer dosage a more cohesive mixture is produced, which ‘resulted in an increase in entrapped air. tis apparent from the fracture surface that {the amount of ai voids with an average diameter of 0.1-1 mm increases with the amount of superplasticizer areFor each type of superplastcizr there is a optimum dosage (saturation dosage) which produces the highest flexural strength /3/. Flexural strength decreases significantly in mixes containing supesplasticizer above saturation dosage Investigations made witha new carboxylic superplastcizer atthe Institut for Building Materials and Construction (Technical University of Munich) also gave results in agreement with these observations, in particular, the use of 3% superplasticizer per weight of cement plus silica fume gave for this mixture the brighest flexural strength (Fig. 3) Inthe second phase ofthis study, the effect of mixing conditions (normal condition and partial vacuum down to 15 KPa) on density, compressive and flexural strength was investigated. A slight increase of density was observed when applying partial vacuum at 3% SP-dosage: from 2285 to 2290 kam? at w/b=0.15 and from 21500 2190 kg/m? at wib=0.19. ‘The compressive strength, however, decreased significantly when applying partial ‘vacuum at a 0.15 water-binder ratio (34% dosage of superplasticizer) from 206 10 171 MPa (Fig. 2). There is no explanation for this effect so far. Mixing under partial vacuum had the best effect on flexural strength. The flexural strength of a mix with 34% superplasticizer increased from 14.9 to 16.0 MPa Fig. 4) on mixing under partial vacuum (15 kPa). ‘Specimens mixed under partial vacuum showed an increase in density and flexural strength combined with a decrease in compressive strength. This behaviour is unusual and must be verified in further investigations. These investigations will require specimens which are cast using a special compaction method to prevent air entrapment as a result ofthe mixing and batching procedure. inthis way the influence ofthe superpasticizer and its dispersing mechanism could be investigated more accuratelymw a ma) REFERENCES F.de Larrard, 7. Sedran: Optimization of ultra-high-performance concrete by the use ofa packing model. Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 24, No, 6 pp. 997 - 1009. 1994 P. Richard, M. Cheyrezy: Composition of reactive powder concrete ‘Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 25, No.7 pp. 1501 - 1511. 1995, M. Shirkavand, R. Baggot Effects of superplasticizers on workability and flexural strenght of autoclaved calcium silicates. Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 25, No. 7 pp. 1512- 1522, 1995, P. Klingelhoefer, A. Kistenmacher, K.-H, Buechner: Polyearboxylate als neue Verflissigergeneration. ConChem-Journal 5, Jahrgang 4/97 Seiten 146-148, ‘Table | - Mixture proportions Material Mass proportions Portland cement 1-60 ym t Microsilica Ot um O21 ‘Nanositica 0.01-0.03 um 0.04 (Gravel (Quarzy (60-600 pm 0389) ‘Superplasticizer_(Polyearboxyiat) (002-004 Water 0.19 0.2820 z 2 20 Es ae gs 10 5 2 0 g | Lo | i £ | | = wot - a | | Sam SP top Pt ___| __j 0301s, 0u7 ast WATER / BINDER Fig. 1 Compressive suength versus waterfbinder and diferent content of soperplasiczer 220 = z gS 200 a Ei 3 ae acu | GE 1 =a ae 1 g 140, ~ 1 £ 120 g | 100, 4 01s Olson? oat WATER / BINDER Fig. 2. Compressive strength versus waterfbinder and different mixing conditions§ «.-—___,__, = | | 5 t 2 | 5 . - 3% SP = | 2g 5 == | z | oe 013 01S 07k WATER /BINDER Fig. 4. Flexural strength versus water/binder and different mixing conditions ser2500 7 ] | = moo = g | z 2300 | E : 5 S 2 n200 [—s . } Ieee 3 _ ses 2 eo war 2000 4 om ous 0790 WATER / BINDER Fig. 5. Bulk density versus water/binder and different content of superplasticizer 2500 = 2400 z= 20 | | aut 7 Sea 5 normal | ee Press| 2000 | 013 ols 0709 WATER / BINDER Fig. 6. Bulk density versus waterbinder and different mixing conditions