Materials and Design 40 (2012) 109–116

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Materials and Design

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/matdes

The effect of coarse aggregate gradation on the properties

of self-compacting concrete
Hui Zhao a,⇑, Wei Sun a, Xiaoming Wu b, Bo Gao b
a
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
b
Jiangsu Transportation Research Institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211112, China

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The aim of this paper is to assess the effect of coarse aggregate gradation (A/B ratio, size 5–10 mm coarse
Received 4 January 2012 aggregate weight/size 10–20 mm coarse aggregate weight) on the properties of self-compacting concrete
Accepted 20 March 2012 (SCC). For this purpose, four SCC mixtures with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 were prepared, the bulk
Available online 30 March 2012
density of aggregate with various A/B ratios was investigated, the effect of A/B ratio on the fresh proper-
ties, mechanical properties, porosity and durability properties of SCC was studied. The test results indi-
Keywords: cated that aggregate with A/B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum bulk density of aggregate, with the change in
A. Concrete
A/B ratio from 4/6 to 7/3, the initial slump flow, blocking and segregation ratio are decreasing, while the
E. Mechanical properties
E. Environmental performance
wet density of fresh SCC are increasing. SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 had a maximum mechanical properties,
least porosity, carbonation depth, chloride ion diffusion coefficient. Moreover, the damage of SCC under
drying–wetting cycles was evaluated, it was found that SCC with various A/B ratios has a resemble behav-
ior on resistance damage against drying–wetting cycles.
Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction properties, porosity and durability properties of SCC needs more

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) has been widely used in civil
engineering. SCC can spread to a long distances under its own
weight without the need of vibration, therefore, SCC can fill the
formwork and encapsulate reinforcement without any bleeding
or segregation [1]. Furthermore, application of SCC cannot only
lower the noise level on the construction site but also diminish
the effect on the environment [2–4]. The introduction of SCC is a
major technological advance, which leads to a better quality of
concrete and a faster, more economical concrete construction pro-
cess [5].
The coarse aggregate is the main ingredient in SCC, besides ce-
ment, mineral admixture, fine aggregate and Superplasticizers
(SPs). The coarse aggregate gradation (A/B ratio, size 5–10 mm
coarse aggregate weight/size 10–20 mm coarse aggregate weight)
has a larger effect on fresh, mechanical and durability properties
of SCC. Nowadays, some research results about the effect of A/B ra-
tio on the properties of concrete have been established, however,
the related researches are focused on ordinary concrete (OPC),
lightweight concrete (LWC), high-strength concrete (HSC) and
high-performance concrete (HPC) [6–12], information about the ef-
fect of A/B ratio on the properties of SCC is less documented, there-
fore, the effect of A/B ratio on the fresh properties, mechanical
investigate.
In this study, fly ash (F) was used to replace 20% Portland
Cement, in all SCC mixtures, the binder materials content was kept
at 460 kg/m3, the water-to-binder (W/B) ratio by weight is 0.35,
the weight ratio of fine aggregate-to-total aggregates is 0.39. Four
different A/B ratio (4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3) were used, the bulk density of
aggregate with various A/B ratios was investigated, the effect of A/
B ratio on the fresh properties, mechanical properties, porosity and
durability properties of SCC was studied, the damage of SCC with
various A/B ratios under drying–wetting cycles was also assessed,
the relationship between relative compressive strength–relative
dynamic elasticity modulus and relative compressive strength–
mass loss of SCC under drying–wetting cycles were analyzed.
2. Methodology
2.1. Materials
2.1.1. Cement (C)
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) according to BS EN 197 [13]
was used in this study. The chemical compositions and physical
properties of cement are presented in Table 1.

2.1.2. Fly ash (F)

⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 18913806637. Fly ash (F) was used as mineral admixture, which was produced
E-mail address: njzhaohui@Jit.edu.cn (H. Zhao). as a by-products during the generation of electricity from a local

0261-3069/$ - see front matter Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2012.03.035
110 H. Zhao et al. / Materials and Design 40 (2012) 109–116

Table 1
The chemical compositions and physical properties of cement and fly ash.

Sample SiO2 Al2O3 CaO Fe2O3 MgO SO3 K2O Na2O Loss on ignition
Chemical composition (%)
Cement (C) 25.69 6.73 56.07 3.16 1.75 1.78 0.83 0.26 2.97
Fly ash (F) 56.79 28.21 <3 5.31 5.21 0.68 1.34 0.45 6.0
Sample Specific gravity (g/cm3) Blaine fineness (cm2/g) Compressive strength (MPa) Flexural strength (MPa) Stability (%)
3d 7d 28d 3d 7d 28d
Physical properties
Cement (C) 3.01 3520 27.1 38.9 50.6 5.8 7.6 8.3 0.02
Fly ash (F) 2.31 3960 – – – – – – 0.017

coal-fired power plant. The chemical compositions and physical
properties of fly ash are given in Table 1.
2.1.3. Superplasticizer (SP)
In this study, a polycarboxylate polymer (PCA) with long comb-
type side chain was used as SP. PCA polymer is the liquid product
with a solid content of 20% and has water-reducing ratio of over
30%.
2.1.4. Aggregates
The river sand (maximum size of 5 mm) and the natural
crushed stone (size 5–10 mm and 10–20 mm) sourced from china
were used as fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. The particle size
distribution and physical properties of fine and coarse aggregates
are presented in Table 2.
aggregates were dried at 110 ± 5 °C temperature to constant mass,
then, coarse aggregates (size 5–10 mm, size 10–20 mm) were
mixed with fine aggregate for 3 min according to certain mix pro-
portions in Table 3, finally, aggregate was filled into 7 L container
by three times, each time fill a one-third portion of container,
aggregate in the container was compacted by blow 20 times with
a metal tamping rod, surplus aggregate was removed from the
top of container. The compacted bulk density of aggregate is calcu-
lated according to the following equation:
ðm2  m1 Þ
M¼ ð1Þ
V
where M = Bulk density of aggregate, kg/m3; m2 = Mass of aggregate
plus the container, kg; m1 = Mass of container, kg; V = Volume of
container, m3

2.4. Samples preparation and curing conditions

2.2. Mixture proportions

The components of SCC mixture were batched by weight, ce-

In this study, in all SCC mixtures, the binder materials content
ment and fly ash were premixed with fine aggregate and coarse
was kept at 460 kg/m3, which fly ash (F) was used to replace 20%
aggregate for 1 min, then, the entire amount of mixing water with
OPC. The water-to-binder (W/B) ratio by weight is 0.35. The
the dissolved PCA SP was added and mixed for 3 min, finally, SCC
amount of total aggregates was maintained at 1780 kg/m3. The
mixture was mixed for an additional 2 min, resulting in a total
weight ratio of fine aggregate (FA)-to-total aggregates (TAs) is
mixing period of 6 min. Before casting, a variety of test were con-
0.39. Four SCC mixtures with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 were
ducted to determine fresh properties of SCC, i.e. initial slump flow,
prepared. The mix proportions of SCC are shown in Table 3.
L-box test, segregation ratio and wet density, SCC samples were
cured at 20 °C in molds covered by a polyethylene film to prevent
2.3. Bulk density of aggregate
moisture loss according to GOST10180 [15], the samples were re-
moved from the mold after 24 h and cured in a humidity room at
The compacted bulk density of aggregate were determined
a temperature of 20 °C with a relative humidity of 90 ± 5% until
using ASTM C 29/C 29 M-97 test method [14], first, fine and coarse
the age of testing.

Table 2 2.5. Test methods

The particle size distribution and physical properties of fine and coarse aggregates.

Sieve size (mm) Cumulative pass amount (%)

2.5.1. Fresh properties
2.5.1.1. Workability. The initial slump flow test of fresh SCC was
Fine aggregate Coarse aggregate
conducted according to BS EN 12350 Part 2 [16]. The initial slump
River sand 5–10 mm 10–20 mm flow value of fresh SCC is represented by the mean diameter (mea-
20 – – 95 sured in two perpendicular directions) of SCC after lifting the stan-
15 – 100 32 dard slump cone.
10 – 94 8
5 100 21 4
4.75 95.4 6 – 2.5.1.2. L-box test. The L-box test was performed in accordance
2.36 82.8 – – with FNARC standards. During the test, fresh SCC was allowed to
1.18 72.2 – – flow upon the release of a trap door from the vertical section to
0.6 52.2 – – the horizontal section by a few reinforcement bars of L-shape
0.3 31.0 – –
0.15 3.2 – –
box. The height of concrete at the end of the horizontal section
Fineness modulus 2.46 – – was compared to the height of concrete remaining in the vertical
Physical properties
section.
Density-OD (kg/m3) 2580 2635 2598
Density-SSD (kg/m3) 2620 2680 2640 2.5.1.3. Segregation ratio test. The GTM screen stability test method
Water absorption (%) 0.80 1.20 1.18 developed by the French contractor (GTM) [17] was used to assess
Abbreviations: OD – Density at absolutely dry condition, SSD – Density at saturated the segregation resistance of fresh SCC. The method consisted of
surface dry condition. taking 10 L of SCC and allowing the concrete to stand for 15 min
 H. Zhao et al. / Materials and Design 40 (2012) 109–116
Table 3
Mix proportions of SCC.
Mix Binders (kg/m3) Fine aggregate (kg/m3) Coarse aggregate (kg/m3)
C F 5–10 mm (A) 10–20 mm (B)
W-1 368 92 693.81 434.4 651.6
W-2 368 92 693.81 544 544
W-3 368 92 693.81 651.6 434.4
W-4 368 92 693.81 760.2 325.8
in the bucket covered with a lid to prevent evaporation, then, half
of SCC mixture was poured onto 5 mm sieve of 350 mm diameter,
which sat on a sieve pans on a weighing scale. After 2 min, the
mass of mortar passed through the sieve was measured and ex-
pressed as a percentage of the weight of the original sample on
the sieve.
2.5.1.4. Wet density test. The wet density of fresh SCC was deter-
mined using BS EN 12350 Part 6 test method [18].
2.5.2. Mechanical properties
2.5.2.1. Compressive strength. SCC samples of 100 mm cubes were
prepared. The compressive strength test was carried out at the ages
of 3, 7, 28, 90 days and after drying–wetting cycles of 0, 15, 30, 45,
60 days according to BS EN 12390 Part 3 [19].
2.5.2.2. Flexural strength test. SCC samples of 150 mm 
150 mm  550 mm prisms were prepared. The flexural strength
test was carried out at the ages of 3, 7, 28, 90 days according to
BS EN 12390 Part 5 [20].
2.5.2.3. Dynamic elasticity modulus test. The dynamic elasticity
modulus of SCC were tested after drying–wetting cycles of 0, 15,
30, 45, 60 days according to the method described in ASTM C
215 [21].
2.5.3. Water porosity measurements of SCC
Water porosity test was carried out according to the vacuum
saturation method [22–24], the cylindrical samples of u50 mm 
100 mm were cured in a humidity room at a temperature of
20 °C with a relative humidity of 90 ± 5%, the water porosity test
was conducted at curing periods of 3, 7, 28 days. On the scheduled
day, the test samples were prepared by cutting cylindrical samples
into two halves and cutting 40 ± 2 mm thick slice, u50 mm 
40 mm cylindrical samples were dried at 100 ± 5 °C until constant
weight, then, samples were placed in desiccators under vacuum
(negative) pressure of 1 bar for 3 h, de-aired water was introduced
to submerge samples and maintaining negative pressure for a fur-
ther 3 h, finally, the pressure is released to atmospheric level and
samples are left submerged overnight to ensure full saturation.
The water porosity of samples was calculated using to the follow-
ing equation:
ðW sat  W dry Þ
P¼  100 ð2Þ
ðW sat  W wat Þ
where: P is the water porosity (%), Wsat is the weight of saturated
sample in air, Wdry is the weight of sample in oven at 100 ± 5 °C,
and Wwat is the weight of saturated sample in water.
2.5.4. Durability properties
2.5.4.1. Accelerated carbonation test. The three 100 mm 
100 mm  300 mm prismatic samples of SCC curing 26 days were
dried 48 h at 60 °C temperature according to GBJ 82-85 standards
[25], the accelerated carbonation test of SCC samples was per-
formed in a chamber with a CO2 concentration = 20 ± 3%, RH =
70 ± 5% and T = 20 ± 3 °C, the half face of SCC samples was sealed
111
Superplasticizer dosage (%) Water (kg/m3) FA/TA (%)
1.4 161 39
1.4 161 39
1.4 161 39
1.4 161 39
with heating the paraffin, leaving the other face exposed to carbon-
ation, then, SCC samples were put into the accelerated carbonation
chamber. The accelerated carbonation test was carried out at 3, 7,
14, 28 day exposure durations.
2.5.4.2. Rapid chloride migration (RCM) test. The three u100 mm 
200 mm cylinder samples of SCC were used for rapid chloride
migration (RCM) tests, SCC samples were cured in a humidity room
at a temperature of 20 °C with a relative humidity of 90 ± 5% for
21 days according to NT BUILD 355 [26]. The test samples were
prepared by first cutting the cylinder samples into two halves
and cutting 50 ± 2 mm thick slice from one half, then, 50 ± 2 mm
thick slice samples continued to cure 7 days immersing in the
water. In the test days, the samples were measured with the volt-
age preset at 30 V for 24 h or 48 h, SCC sample pieces were split
and 0.1 N AgNO3 was sprayed. Twenty measurement points were
installed regularly on the split surface at the 5 mm interval to give
the mean penetration depth of chloride ion, the formula (3) was
used to calculate chloride ion diffusion coefficient (DRCM0).
pffiffiffiffiffi
Thðxd  a xd Þ
DRCM0 ¼ 2:872  106
t
pffiffiffiffiffiffi
a ¼ 3:338  103 Th ð3Þ
DRCM0—Chloride migration coefficient (m2/s)
T—Average value of the initial and final temperatures in the
anolyte solution (K)
h—Thickness of the specimen (m)
xd—Average value of the penetration depth (m)
T—Test duration (s)
a—Faraday constant
2.5.4.3. Drying–wetting cycles test. The test of drying–wetting
cycles was carried out according to the method described in the
preliminary research [27,28]. SCC samples were cured in a humid-
ity room at a temperature of 20 °C with a relative humidity of
90 ± 5% for 28 days. For each cycle, SCC samples were dried at
80 ± 5 °C and 50–60% relative humidity for 14 h, then, immersed
in water at 20 ± 5 °C for 10 h. The damage of SCC with various A/
B ratios under drying–wetting cycles were assessed by relative
compressive strength, relative dynamic elasticity modulus and
mass loss. The following Eqs. (4)–(6) were used to calculate the rel-
ative compressive strength, relative dynamic elasticity modulus
and mass loss.
Relative compressive strength ¼ F cu0 =F cun ð4Þ
(Fcu0—The 28-days compressive strength of SCC, Fcun-The compres-
sive strength of SCC after drying–wetting cycles of 0, 15, 30, 45,
60 days).
Relative dynamic elasticity modulus ¼ EO =En ð5Þ
(EO-The 28-days dynamic elasticity modulus of SCC, En-The dynamic
elasticity modulus of SCC after drying–wetting cycles of 0, 15, 30,
45, 60 days)
112
Mass loss ¼ ðW 0 W n Þ=W 0
(WO-The 28-days weight of SCC, Wn-The weight of SCC after drying–
wetting cycles of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 days).
3. Results and discussion
3.1. The effect of A/B ratio on the bulk density of aggregate
The bulk density of aggregate with various A/B ratios are pre-
sented in Fig. 1, it can be seen from Fig. 1 that the bulk density
of aggregate with various A/B ratios range from 2376 kg/m3 to
2478 kg/m3, A/B ratio has a evidently affected on the bulk density
of aggregate, with the change of A/B ratio from 4/6 to 6/4, the bulk
density of aggregate is drastically increasing due to more finer
coarse aggregate particles filled into the void between the larger
size particles of coarse aggregate (this is called filling effect), when
A/B ratio in coarse aggregate is above 6/4, the bulk density of
aggregate start to decrease with A/B ratio further increased, this
can be attributed to this fact that, when A/B ratio is greater than
6/4, more finer coarse aggregate added result in the particles of
coarse aggregate to be pushed apart and attain a lower bulk den-
sity of aggregate, aggregate with A/B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum
bulk density of aggregate for 2478 kg/m3.
3.2. The effect of A/B ratio on the properties of fresh SCC
The test results of initial slump flow, L-box test, segregation ra-
tio and wet density of fresh SCC are shown in Table 4.
It is evident from Table 4 that initial slump flow of fresh SCC is
decreasing with the change in A/B ratio from 4/6 to 7/3, this may
be attributed to this fact that size 5–10 mm coarse aggregate has
a higher water absorption capacity than size 10–20 mm coarse
aggregate, with the increase of size 5–10 mm coarse aggregate
content in SCC, more free water are absorbed into size 5–10 mm
coarse aggregate, thus reduce initial slump flow of SCC. Moreover,
it can be seen from Table 4 that blocking ratio values of all SCC
mixtures are between 0.92 and 0.98 in L-box test, the blocking ra-
tio of all SCC mixtures meet the minimum acceptance value of
0.80, which is as per EFNARC standards, SCC with various A/B ratios
achieves adequate passing ability, bleeding and segregation of
fresh SCC become no obvious with the increase of A/B ratio. Mean-
time, it also shows in Table 4 that the wet density of SCC with A/B
ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 are 2420 kg/m3, 2436 kg/m3, 2441 kg/m3,
2456 kg/m3, the wet density of SCC are increasing with the in-
crease of size 5–10 mm coarse aggregate content in SCC, this
behavior can be explained by this fact that size 5–10 mm coarse
aggregate has a higher density (SSD = 2680 kg/m3) than size 10–
20 mm coarse aggregate (SSD = 2640 kg/m3).
2500
Bulk density of aggregate kg/m3
2450
2400
2350
2300
A/B=4:6 A/B=5:5
Coarse aggregate gradation
Fig. 1. The bulk density of aggregate with various A/B ratios.
H. Zhao et al. / Materials and Design 40 (2012) 109–116
ð6Þ 3.3. The effect of A/B ratio on the mechanical properties of hardened
SCC
3.3.1. Compressive strength development of SCC
The compressive strength development of SCC with A/B ratio for
4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 are presented in Fig. 2, the test results indicate
that the compressive strength of SCC with various A/B ratios are
increasing at curing periods of 3, 7, 28, 90 days, the early compres-
sive strength development of SCC with various A/B ratios are very
rapid, 3-days and 7-days compressive strength of SCC with A/B ra-
tio for 4/6 can reach 36.5 MPa and 44.4 MPa, it is 72.1%, 87.8% com-
pressive strength of SCC at curing period of 28 days, while the
compressive strength of SCC with A/B ratio for 7/3 at curing peri-
ods of 3, 7 days can reach 40.8 MPa and 46.1 MPa, it is 78.8% and
89.0% of 28-days compressive strength of SCC, the compressive
strength of SCC are also growing at late curing age. Meantime,
the change in A/B ratio has some effect on the compressive
strength at curing periods of 3, 7, 28, 90 days, compressive strength
of SCC is increasing with the increase in A/B ratio from 4/6 to 6/4 at
the same curing period, when A/B ratio is greater than 6/4, com-
pressive strength of SCC has a gradual downward trend, SCC with
A/B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum compressive strength at curing
periods of 3, 7, 28, 90 days. This may be attributed to this fact that
SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum particle bulk density and
less porosity (15.33%, 14.17%, 13.3% at curing periods of 3, 7,
28 days, seen from Fig. 4) [29].
3.3.2. Flexural strength development of SCC
The flexural strength development of SCC are shown in Fig. 3, it
can be seen from Fig. 3 that flexural strength of SCC with various A/
B ratios are grow at curing periods of 3, 7, 28, 90 days. The change
in A/B ratio has some effect on the flexural strength at the same
curing period, the flexural strength of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6,
5/5, 6/4, 7/3 are 8.95 MPa, 9.26 MPa, 9.33 MPa and 9.28 MPa at cur-
ing period of 3 days, SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum
flexural strength at curing period of 3 days, a similar tendency to
increase and then gradual downward in flexural strength with
the increase of A/B ratio is also found for SCC at the curing periods
of 7, 28, 90 days.
3.4. The effect of A/B ratio on the water porosity of SCC
The results of water porosity of SCC with various A/B ratios at
the curing periods of 3, 7 28 days are shown in Fig. 4. It can be ob-
served that the porosities of all SCC mixture reduce with the in-
crease of curing period, at the curing period of 7 days, SCC with
A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 has 15.22%, 14.84%, 14.17%, 14.41%
of porosity, respectively, with the increase of curing period, the
porosities of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 reduce to
14.17%, 13.79%, 13.30%, 13.53% at the curing period of 28 days.
Base on test result of the porosity at the different curing period,
it can be found that SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 has least porosity
value in all curing period.
3.5. The effect of A/B ratio on the durability properties of SCC
3.5.1. Carbonation depth of SCC
In order to study the effect of A/B ratio on carbonation depth of
SCC, the carbonation depths of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4,
7/3 at all tested ages are shown in Fig. 5.
From Fig. 5, it can be seen that the carbonation depths of SCC
with various A/B ratios are increasing at carbonation periods of 3,
7, 14, 28 days, when A/B ratio is increasing from 4/6 to 6/4, the car-
A/B=6:4 A/B=7:3
bonation depth of SCC has a gradually decreasing, when A/B ratio is
more than 6/4, carbonation depth of SCC has a increasing trend at
same carbonation time, SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 exhibits lowest
 H. Zhao et al. / Materials and Design 40 (2012) 109–116 113

Table 4
Properties of fresh SCC with various A/B ratios.

A/B ratio Coarse aggregate (kg/m3) Initial slump flow (mm) L-box test Segregation ratio (%) Wet density (kg/m3)
5–10 mm (A) 10–20 mm (B) Ratio (%) Time (s)
4/6 434.4 651.6 826 0.96 18.2 10.3 2420
5/5 544 544 802 0.95 18.3 9.7 2436
6/4 651.6 434.4 786 0.92 18.5 9.3 2441
7/3 760.2 325.8 775 0.90 18.7 8.7 2456

A/B=4:6 A/B=4:6
A/B=5:5 A/B=5:5
60 A/B=6:4 8 A/B=6:4
Compressive strength (MPa)

A/B=7:3 A/B=7:3

Carbonation depth (mm)

50
6
40

4
30

20 2

10
0
0
3 7 28 90
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Curning time (days)
Carbonation time (day)
Fig. 2. The compressive strength development of SCC with various A/B ratios.
Fig. 5. The carbonation depths of SCC with various A/B ratios.

A/B=4:6
A/B=5:5
m /s)

12 3.0
A/B=6:4
2

A/B=7:3
-12

10
Flexural strength (MPa)

2.5
Chloride ion diffusion coefficient 10

8 2.0

6
1.5

4
1.0
2
0.5
0
3 7 28 90
0.0
Curning time (day) A/B=4:6 A/B=5:5 A/B=6:4 A/B=7:3

Fig. 3. The flexural strength development of SCC with various A/B ratios.
Coarse aggregate gradation

Fig. 6. The chloride ion diffusion coefficient of SCC with various A/B ratios.

A/B=4:6
18 A/B=5:5 B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum particle bulk density and less poros-
A/B=6:4
16 A/B=7:3
ity, so that a lower carbonation depth can be found on SCC with A/B
The water porosity (%)

14 ratio for 6/4.

12
10 3.5.2. Chloride ion diffusion coefficient of SCC
8 From Fig. 6, it can be seen that the chloride ion diffusion
6 coefficient of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 are
4 2.78  1012 m2/s, 2.52  1012 m2/s, 2.23  1012 m2/s, 2.45 
2 1012 m2/s, the chloride ion diffusion coefficient of SCC is decreasing
0 with the change in A/B ratio from 4/6 to 6/4, A/B ratio in SCC is above
3 7 28 6/4, there are an increasing trend at the chloride ion diffusion coef-
Curning time (days) ficient. SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 has least the chloride ion diffusion
Fig. 4. The water porosity development of SCC with various A/B ratios.
coefficient for 2.23  1012 m2/s, it may attributed to this fact that
SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 has highest compressive strength and less
porosity in all SCC sample, so that SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 has low-
carbonation depth at carbonation periods of 7, 14, 28 days, which est chloride ion diffusion coefficient [33–36].
carbonation depth of SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 is 2.97 mm,
5.14 mm, 6.22 mm at test ages of 7, 14, 28 days. This behavior 3.5.3. The damage of SCC under drying–wetting cycles
can be explained by this fact that carbonation depth of SCC has a 3.5.3.1. Relative compressive strength of SCC under drying–wetting
close relationship with porosity of concrete [30–32], SCC with A/ cycles. The relative compressive strength of SCC with A/B ratio for
114 H. Zhao et al. / Materials and Design 40 (2012) 109–116

4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 measured after drying–wetting cycles of 0, 15, 30, A/B=4:6

The relative dynamic elasticity modulus

1.15 A/B=5:5
45, 60 days are shown in Fig. 7. From Fig. 7, it can be seen that the
A/B=6:4
relative compressive strength evolution curves of SCC under 1.10 A/B=7:3
drying–wetting cycles include two stages, at the initial stage of
drying–wetting cycles, the relative compressive strength of SCC 1.05
with various A/B ratios are increasing with the change in drying–
1.00
wetting cycles, which it indicates that more cement hydration
products appear and hardened SCC become more compact. After
0.95
drying–wetting cycles of 30 days, the relative compressive
strength of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 are decreasing 0.90
with the increase of drying–wetting cycles days, it may be due to
this fact that, after drying–wetting cycles of 30 days, the effect of 0.85
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
thermal stress, moisture expansion, drying shrinkage on SCC be-
Drying-wetting cycle days
come more and more significant [37,38].
Fig. 8. The relative dynamic elasticity modulus evolution curves of SCC with
3.5.3.2. Relative dynamic elasticity modulus of SCC under drying– various A/B ratios under drying–wetting cycles.

wetting cycles. The relative dynamic elasticity modulus evolution

curves of SCC with various A/B ratios under drying–wetting cycles
A/B=4:6
are presented in Fig. 8, it can be seen from Fig. 8 that the relative 0.9 A/B=5:5
dynamic elasticity modulus of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/ 0.8
A/B=6:4
A/B=7:3
4, 7/3 have an upward trend at the initial phase of drying–wetting
0.7
cycles, a gradual downward trend can be found in the relative dy-

The mass loss

0.6
namic elasticity modulus of SCC after drying–wetting cycles of
30 days. It indicates that the residual cement particles continue 0.5

to hydration and fill microporosity of SCC during drying–wetting 0.4

cycles of 30 days [39,40], after drying–wetting cycles of 30 days, 0.3
the effect of thermal stress on hardened SCC become stronger, 0.2
microcrack appear on the surface of SCC, therefore, the relative dy-
0.1
namic elasticity modulus of SCC with various A/B ratios begin to
0.0
decrease. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Drying-wetting cycle days
3.5.3.3. Mass loss of SCC under drying–wetting cycles. The mass loss
Fig. 9. The mass loss evolution curves of SCC with various A/B ratios under drying–
evolution curves of SCC with various A/B ratios under drying–wet- wetting cycles.
ting cycles are given in Fig. 9. It shows, at the initial stage, that the
mass loss of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 are increasing
with the increase of drying–wetting cycles days, after drying–wet-
ting cycles of 30 days, the mass loss of SCC reduce with the change 1.2
The relative dynamic elasticity modulus

in drying–wetting cycles from 30 days to 60 days. It can be ex- A/B=4:6 (y = 0.2993e

1.0028x

plained by the fact that, at the initial phase of drying–wetting cy- A/B=4:6
2
R = 0.9458)
1.1
cles, the residual cement particles in SCC continue to hydrate, the A/B=5:5 1.0586x
A/B=5:5 (y = 0.2754e
soluble materials are leached from hardened SCC, after drying– 2
A/B=6:4 R = 0.9243)
wetting cycles of 30 days, the cement hydration reaction of SCC 1 A/B=7:3
is completely finished and SCC begins to absorb water, so that mass 0.4569x
A/B=6:4 (y = 0.5696e
loss of SCC with A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 will reduce. 2
R = 0.8079)
0.9
0.5385x
A/B=7:3 (y = 0.5101e
3.5.3.4. The analysis of relationship between relative compressive 2
R = 0.8221
strength–relative dynamic elasticity modulus and relative compressive 0.8
strength–mass loss of SCC under drying–wetting cycles. The relationship 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
The relative compressive strength

A/B=4:6
Fig. 10. The relationship between relative compressive strength and relative
A/B=5:5 dynamic elasticity modulus of SCC under drying–wetting cycles.
1.35
The relative compressive strength

A/B=6:4
1.30 A/B=7:3

1.25 between relative compressive strength–relative dynamic elasticity

1.20
modulus and relative compressive strength–mass loss of SCC with
various A/B ratios under drying–wetting cycles are presented in
1.15
Figs. 10 and 11.
1.10 It can be seen from Fig. 10, an exponential relation exists
1.05 between relative compressive strength (x) and relative dynamic
1.00
elasticity modulus (y) of SCC under drying–wetting cycles, the
fitting formula of SCC with A/B ration for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 are y = 0.2993e1.0028x, y = 0.2754e1.0586x, y = 0.5696e0.4569x and y =
Drying-wetting cycle days
0.5101e0.5385x with the high correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.9458,
Fig. 7. The relative compressive strength evolution curves of SCC with various A/B R2 = 0.9243, R2 = 0.8079 and R2 = 0.8221). These test results are
ratios under drying–wetting cycles. consistent with previous several results [41–43].

1.2
1 2
A/B=6:4 (y = -24.779x + 57.069x - 31.915
The mass loss (%)
2 2
R = 0.9131)
0.8
2 2003;55(2):171–6.
0.6 A/B=4:6(y = -8.7392x + 19.185x - 9.7794
2
R = 0.8386)
A/B=4:6
0.4
A/B=5:5
A/B=6:4
0.2
A/B=7:3
0
1 1.05 1.1 1.15 1.2
The relative compressive strength
Fig. 11. The relationship between relative compressive strength and mass loss of
SCC under drying–wetting cycles.
Fig. 11 shows that this is second-order polynomial relationship
between the relative compressive strength (x) and mass loss (y) of
SCC under drying–wetting cycles, the fitting formula of SCC with
A/B ratio for 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 7/3 are y = 8.7392 x2 + 19.185
x  9.7794, y = 14.767 x2 + 33.702 x  18.412, y = 24.779 x2 +
57.069 x  31.915 and y = 26.613 x2 + 61.538 x  34.624 with
R2 = 0.8386, R2 = 0.9785, R2 = 0.9131 and R2 = 0.9261, it indicates
high correlation.
4. Conclusions
In this study, the bulk density of aggregate with various A/B ra-
tios was investigated, fresh properties, mechanical properties,
porosity and durability properties of SCC with various A/B ratios
were determined, the test results are as follows.
Aggregate with A/B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum bulk density of
aggregate for 2478 kg/m3. With the change in A/B ratio from 4/6 to
7/3, the initial slump flow, blocking and segregation ratio of SCC
are decreasing, while the wet density of fresh SCC are increasing.
The compressive strength of SCC with various A/B ratios develop
ranging from 36.5 to 41.5 MPa, from 44.4 to 46.5 MPa, from 50.6
to 53.6 MPa and from 58.7 to 60.3 MPa at curing periods of 3, 7,
28, 90 days. The flexural strength development of SCC are from
8.95 to 9.33 MPa, 9.56 to 9.82 MPa, 10.68 to 10.85 MPa and 11.58
to 11.71 MPa at curing periods of 3, 7, 28, 90 days. The porosities
of all SCC mixture are between 13.30% and 14.17% at curing period
of 28 days. SCC with A/B ratio for 6/4 has a maximum compressive
strength, flexural strength and lowest porosity at all curing peri-
ods. With the change in A/B ratio from 4/6 to 7/3, the carbonation
depth and the chloride ion diffusion coefficient of SCC are gradual
decrease, then, there are gradual increase trend. SCC with A/B ratio
for 6/4 exhibits the lowest carbonation depth and least chloride ion
diffusion coefficient. Under drying–wetting cycles, relative com-
pressive strength, relative dynamic elasticity modulus and mass
loss of SCC with various A/B ratios have an upward trend at the ini-
tial phase of drying–wetting cycles, then, a gradual downward
trend can be found in the relative compressive strength, relative
dynamic elasticity modulus and mass loss of SCC. SCC with various
A/B ratios have a resemble behavior on resistance damage against
drying–wetting cycles.
Acknowledgements
This project was supported by western traffic science and tech-
nology projects (Chinese, No. 2006ZB01-2). The provision of PCA
Superplasticizer by Jiangsu Bote New Materials Co, Ltd. is gratefully
acknowledged. The authors thank Prof. Wei Sun, who is the acade-
mician of China National Engineering Research Institute, her spon-
sorship and support made this study possible.
H. Zhao et al. / Materials and Design 40 (2012) 109–116 115
2
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