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Construction and Building Materials xxx (2008) xxx–xxx

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Construction and Building Materials

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Effect of waste marble dust content as filler on properties

of self-compacting concrete
_
Ilker Bekir Topçu a, Turhan Bilir a,*, Tayfun Uygunoğlu b
a
Eskisßehir Osmangazi University, Civil Engineering Department, Eskisßehir 26480, Turkey
b
Afyon Kocatepe University, Tech. Education Faculty, Construction Department, Afyonkarahisar 03200, Turkey

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

Article history: Day by day, the amount of the marble dust (MD) as a waste material is significantly of increasing in Tur-
Received 10 March 2007 key. Therefore, the utilization of the waste MD in self-compacting concrete (SCC), as filler material, is the
Received in revised form 2 September 2008 main objective of this study. Besides, the MD is used directly without attempting any additional process.
Accepted 2 September 2008
Thus, this would be another advantage for this objective. For this purpose, MD has replaced binder of SCC
Available online xxxx
at certain contents of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg/m3. After then, slump-flow test, L-box test and
V-funnel test are conducted on fresh concrete. Furthermore, compressive strength, flexural strength,
Keywords:
ultrasonic velocity, porosity and compactness are determined at the end of 28 days for the hardened con-
Waste material
Marble dust
crete specimens. The effect of waste MD usage as filler material on capillarity properties of SCC is also
Self-compacting concrete investigated. According to the test results, it is concluded that the workability of fresh SCC has not been
Filler material affected up to 200 kg/m3 MD content. However, the mechanical properties of hardened SCC have
decreased by using MD, especially just above 200 kg/m3 content.
Ó 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
In recent years, many quite important studies about SCC have
been made. The most important difference between SCC and ordin-
ary concrete is the existence of filler material in the SCC mixture.
Thus, there are also many studies about the effects of filler materi-
als on the properties of SCC. According to the conclusions of these
studies, the benefit of filler material usage in SCC can be said as im-
proved workability with reduced cement content [1,2]. By this
way, low heat of hydration and decreased shrinkage cracking can
also be obtained [1,2]. Moreover, since cement is the most expen-
sive component of concrete, reducing cement content can be said
as an economic solution. Besides, the pores between aggregates
are fulfilled and impermeable concrete can be produced. Therefore,
the durability of concrete is also increased [3]. Industrial by-prod-
ucts such as fly ash (FA), stone dust, silica fume and blast furnace
slag are generally used as filler materials in SCC [4–7]. Thereby,
the workability of SCC is improved and the usage amount of by-
products can be increased at the same time. In addition, such
usages of by-products in cement or concrete provide economical
benefits and prevent environmental pollution.
MD is a limestone origin waste material and 1400 tons of MD
(below the size of 1 mm) per day are left and stored on depot areas
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +90 222 2393750/3226; fax: +90 222 2393613.
E-mail address: tbilir@ogu.edu.tr (T. Bilir).
as wastes in Turkey [4]. This means that MD is not being recycled
and used in any industries in Turkey. On the other hand, it is well-
known that limestone dust as filler material in SCC shows quite
good performance [8,9]. Thus, it can be said that MD can be used
in SCC as filler material and after then, it can also be a by-product
for the concrete industry.
SSC is also one of the concrete technologies contributing the
sustainable development by using filler materials such as lime-
stone powder. The fresh rheological characteristics, strength and
durability of SCC can be improved with the addition of powders
which can be separated into two groups as inert or pozzolanic
[10]. The usage amount and the type of cementitious or inert pow-
ders depend on the physical and physico-chemical properties of
these powders which affect the performance of fresh paste such
as particle shape, surface texture, surface porosity and rate of
superplasticizer adsorption, surface energy (zeta potential), finest
fraction content, Blaine fineness and particle size distribution.
There are no accepted standards for the effects of these factors
due to the complex influence of the combination of these factors
[5].
In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effect of MD as fine
material on the fresh and hardened properties of SCC. Fresh con-
crete tests such as slump-flow, V-funnel, L-box, unit weight, air
content and hardened concrete tests such as compressive strength,
flexural strength, capillarity coefficient, ultrasonic velocity and
compactness were attempted to make this objective achieved
and determine the optimum MD replacement ratio in SCC.

0950-0618/$ - see front matter Ó 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.09.007

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Please cite this article in press as: Topçu IB
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2. Experimental procedure
2.1. Materials
In the study, four different types of limestone origin aggregates
as crushed stone II (CS II), crushed stone I (CS I), crushed sand stone
(CSS) and river sand (RS) were used. Besides, these CS II, CS I, CSS
and RS aggregates have the aggregate sizes between 12 and
20 mm, 6 and 12 mm, 0 and 6 mm, 0 and 3 mm, respectively.
The maximum size of coarse aggregate was selected as 20 mm in
order to avoid the blocking effect of SCC. The specific gravities of
CS II, CS I, CSS and RS aggregates 2.70, 2.71, 2.65 and 2.62, respec-
tively. Furthermore, the unit weights of them are 1362, 1365, 1410
and 1625 kg/m3, respectively.
Besides, MD was used as filler material in SCC in order to utilize
it. Ordinary Portland cement (CEM I 42.5R) and fly ash (FA) were
used as binder materials in the mix proportions. Specific surface
area by Blaine and 28th day compressive strength of Cement were
449 m2/kg, and 48.5 MPa, respectively. FA was provided from Yata-
ğan Thermal Power Plant in Turkey and it can be classified as F
class according to ASTM C 618. FA was used in all mixtures with
replacing cement at the ratio of 10% by weight. MD, which was
provided from a marble managing plant in Afyonkarahisar, was di-
rectly used in SCC without any processes. It has replaced binder
materials at different contents of 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, 200,
250 and 300 kg/m3. The specific surface area by Blaine of FA and
MD were 176 m2/kg and 614 m2/kg, respectively. The chemical
compositions of FA, MD and cement are given in Table 1. Polycar-
boxylate based and high range water reducing superplasticizer was
also used in the mixtures at the ratio of 2.5% of binder materials by
weight for reducing the water/binder ratio of SCC. The solid con-
tent and pH of superplasticizer was 22% and 8%, respectively. The
amount of admixtures was also decreased with the increase in
MD content in SCC mixture by considering the reduction of binder
materials amount. Tap water used was obtained from the city
waterworks of Afyonkarahisar for the production of concrete mix-
tures during the experimental procedure.
2.2. Mix proportions
2.2.1. Design of paste and concrete composition
Choi et al. have mentioned that the most popular mix design
method for SCC has been introduced by Okamura [11]. This meth-
od initially depends on the cement paste and mortar tests before
considering the properties of the superplasticizer, cement, fine
aggregate and pozzolanic material in order to avoid the unneces-
sary redundancy of testing process [11]. Therefore, design of paste
composition, the water/powder ratio for zero flow (bp) was deter-
mined in the paste, with the 450 g cement and 150 g MD additions.
Mini flow cone tests with water/powder ratios by volume of 1.1,
1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 were performed with the selected powder compo-
sition. The intersection point with the y-axis was designated the bp
Table 1
Chemical compositions of marble dust, FA and cement (CEM I 42.5R)
Component (%) Marble dust FA
SiO2 4.67 51.5
Al2O3 – 23.08
Fe2O3 0.03 6.07
MgO 0.4 2.42
CaO 51.8 10.53
Na2O – 0.77
SO3 – 1.32
K2O – 2.54
LOI 41.16 1.06
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Water/powder by volume
1.5
1.4 y= 0.072x+ 1.0404
1.3
2
R = 0.9799
1.2
1.1 βp
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Relative Slump-flow (Γ m)
Fig. 1. Determination of bp value.
value for MD as filler (Fig. 1). As a result, bp has been obtained as
0.35 water/powder ratio by weight.
Then, seven different series were prepared for investigating the
effect of MD content on the properties of the SCC. Water/fine mate-
rial (cement + FA + MD) ratio was designed as the ratio of 0.35 for
all concrete mixtures with respect to bp value. A 50 dm3 batch has
been prepared for each mixture. The mixing sequence was com-
posed of homogenizing the coarse aggregates, the sand, the MD
and cement during 2 min, and then, the addition of superplasticiz-
er by diluting it in water. In order to sustain the equilibrium viscos-
ity, longer mixing times are required than ordinary concrete
mixing time, therefore, the batch was mixed for 5 min. The mix
proportions of the produced series are given in Table 2 and the ser-
ies were coded as M0, M50, M100, M150, M200, M250 and M300.
Herein, M0 demonstrates the reference or control series that do not
contain MD.
2.3. Experiments on fresh concrete
Slump-flow test, L-box test and V-funnel test were attempted
(Fig. 2a and b) on fresh concrete for determining the properties
of SCC such as filling ability and passing ability. During slump-flow
test, required time of SCC to reach 500 mm length slump-flow ra-
dius (T50) and final diameter of concrete circle through two direc-
tions (d1 \ d2) have been measured. For the test of V-funnel,
required time to make SCC flow through V-funnel by its own
weight was measured. In the L-box test, the test was started by
removing the control gate suddenly to allow the flow of SCC
through the horizontal part of L-box. After then, the flow times
were measured by determining the arrival times of SCC batch to
200, 400 and 700 mm lengths (the end of the horizontal part is
700 mm away from the control gate). When the flow of fresh SCC
has stopped, the heights of the concrete at the end (h2) and the
beginning (h1) of the horizontal section have also been measured
as seen in Fig. 1. Then, blocking ratio was calculated by using the
equation ‘‘h2/h1”. Air content and unit weight of fresh concrete
were measured by using an air meter and a constant volume buck-
et, respectively. All tests were performed during 30 min and after
then, concrete was mixed during 2 min again.
2.4. Experiments on hardened concrete
Fresh concrete has been cast into U150  300 mm cylindrical,
Cement
100  100  350 mm prismatic and 100  100  100 mm cubic
19.3 moulds without any vibration. The concrete specimens were
5.57 demoulded after 24 h and cured in water (at 20 ± 2 °C and satu-
3.46
0.86
rated to lime) during 28 days. At the 28th day, ultrasonic pulse
63.56 velocity was determined by conducting test on 100  100 
0.13 100 mm cubic specimens. An ultrasonic device, that generates
2.91 low-frequency ultrasonic pulses and measures the time of ultra-
0.8
sounds to pass from one transducer to the other, was used. After
2.78
then, compressive strength test was conducted on the specimens
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Table 2
Mix proportions of SCC incorporating MD for 1 m3

Materials (kg/m3) Specific gravity M0 M50 M100 M150 M200 M250 M300
Cement (c) 3.07 495 450 405 360 315 270 225
Fly ash (FA) 2.2 55 50 45 40 35 30 25
Binder (b) (c + FA) – 550 500 450 400 350 300 250
Marble dust (MD) 2.47 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Fine (c + FA + MD) – 550 550 550 550 550 550 550
Superplasticizier 1.1 13.75 12.5 11.25 10 8.75 7.5 6.25
Water (w) – 190 191 192 194 195 196 197
RS 2.62 327 326 325 324 323 322 321
CSS 2.65 599 597 595 594 592 590 588
CS I 2.71 467 466 465 463 462 461 459
CS II 2.70 193 192 192 191 190 190 189
w/b – 0.35 0.38 0.43 0.49 0.55 0.65 0.79
w/fine – 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.36 0.36

Fig. 2. (a) L-box and (b) V-box apparatus for SCC.

by using a 2000 kN compression universal testing machine with
loading rate controller. Likewise, the prismatic specimens were
tested under centre-point loading to determine their flexural
strengths at the 28th day. Seven thin-sections were also prepared,
and microstructure of hardened SCC was observed by using an
optical microscope.
2.4.1. Capillarity coefficient and porosity
A test to determine the capillarity coefficient of specimens was
also carried out at the 28th day. For each mixture, three cubic spec-
imens, at the dimensions of 100  100  100 mm, were prepared.
The specimens were kept in standard water curing till the 28th
day. The capillarity coefficients were determined by using speci-
mens preconditioned and dried in an oven at about 105 ± 5 °C to
the constant mass. As shown in Fig. 3, the test specimen was ex-
posed to water through a plane cross-section (100  100 mm) by
placing it in a pan. The water level in the pan was maintained at
about 5 mm above the bottom of the specimen during this exper-
iment. The surfaces of the specimen below the water level were
coated with paraffin to achieve unidirectional flow.
At regular times such as 1st, 4th, 9th, 16th, 25th and 36th min-
utes, the mass of the specimen was measured using a balance, then
the amount of water adsorbed was calculated and normalized
regarding the cross-section area of the specimen [12,13]. In hori-
zontal axis, square root of time; and in vertical axis, water absorp-
tion quantities in unit volume of specimens (q) were used (Fig. 4).
To determine the capillarity coefficient, q was plotted against the
p
square root of time ( t), then, the capillarity coefficient (k) was
calculated from the slope of the linear relation between q and
p
t. Therefore, capillarity coefficient was obtained for each MD con-
tents in experimental study by Eq. (1), as follows:
pffiffi
q¼k t ð1Þ
2
where k is capillarity coefficient (cm /min); q is water absorption
quantity in cross-section of specimens (cm3/cm2); and t is time
(min).
Apparent porosity and compactness values were also deter-
mined on 100  100  100 mm cubic specimens according to
Archimedes principle related to the weights of saturated speci-

0.16
0.14 M0 M50
M100 M150
0.12
M200 M250
q(cm3/cm2)

0.1 M300
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
(t)1/2
Fig. 3. Schematic presentation of water absorbed specimens for capillarity
coefficient. Fig. 4. Determination of slope for capillarity.

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mens in air and in water, and the dry weight (oven drying at 105 °C
to constant weight).
3. Results and discussions
In this study, SCC includes a wide range of mix types with a
wide range of both fresh and hardened properties. As known in lit-
erature, powder materials are added to SCC and the viscosity of SCC
mixtures are greatly influenced by powder (filler and cement) type
and content [14]. In addition, the ability of SCC for compacting it-
self due to its own weight is generally the main subject of such
studies according to appropriate criteria given by EFNARC Commit-
tee [15]. In the study, such properties of SCC produced with MD are
investigated likewise. Especially, it is focused on the workability of
fresh concrete. In this way, the results are discussed as below (Ta-
ble 3).
3.1. Properties of fresh concrete
Fresh SCC must be stable to ensure the homogeneity of the
mechanical strength of the structure. Some experiments such as
slump-flow, V-funnel and L-box tests are conducted for discussing
the workability of SCC.
The perpendicular distance of the circular spread is known as
slump-flow. Thus, the mixture is considered as fluent or high fluid.
A high fluid concrete is thus a concrete that can flow by virtue of its
own weight, while keeping the coarse aggregate homogenous in
the mixture [16]. The conventional slump test was not appropriate
to discuss the workability of SCC as a high performance concrete.
The slump-flow test is a value-system for the ability of concrete
to deform under its own weight against the friction of the surface
with no external restraint present [17].
By the way, slump-flow values for SCC with MD immediately
after mixing process and after 30 min from mixing process were
presented in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the results of slump-flow
test were obtained between 650 and 800 mm for the mixtures con-
taining MD up to 200 kg/m3. Slump-flow of M0 immediately after
mixing process was also exceeded to upper limit because of low
viscosity. However, slump-flows after 30 min of all series, except
M250 and M300 series, have been in target range. After 30 min,
slump-flow of M300 serie decreased from 600 mm to 510 mm
due to increase in viscosity and thixotropy.
Safawi et al. [18] have reported that the slump-flow can be di-
vided into four parts; between 400 and 500, 500 and 600, 600 and
700, 700 and 800 mm. Generally, any mixture having slump-flow
less than 500 mm should be highly viscous because it does not flow
easily. Slump-flows between 500 and 600 mm indicate a change in
viscosity of mixture and transition to develop more fluidity. With
the elapsed time, the slump-flow has reached 600 mm, the viscos-
ity of the mixture would be expected to be optimum and it would
flow easily by virtue of its own weight. At this range of flow, it
would be more practical to consider the viscosity of mixture before
applying any vibration. Finally, a mixture with slump-flow be-
tween 700 and 800 mm would be prone to segregation easily.
The relationship, between the required times for reaching
500 mm slump-flow and flowing through V-funnel to determine
the segregation resistance of fresh SCC produced with MD, is
shown in Fig. 6. Slump-flow versus V-flow time was also given in
Fig. 7. Since the viscosity of M0 serie was very high, V-funnel flow
time of this serie was above 15 s which is the upper limit. Filling
the voids in a packed system may improve the arrangement of par-
ticles in the system, ensuring a better contribution of the mixing
water to achieve adequate fluidity of the mixture. However, at a gi-
ven concentration higher than the critical dosage, at which close
packing is reached, a substantial increase in viscosity is expected
[18]. On the other hand, all series have good viscosities and segre-
gation resistances by taking part in target range. M250 and M300
series have the lowest viscosities and V-funnel flow times com-
pared to other series. EFNARC Committee suggests that 11 and
15 s for lower and upper limits of V-funnel time, respectively, are
acceptable for designing the appropriate SCC mixture (Fig. 6)
[15]. The use of filler materials in SCC aims to increase the particle
distribution of the powder skeleton, thus, reduce the interparticle
frictions. This can lead some free mixing water, otherwise en-
trapped water in the system. Related to the various parameters,

19
V-Funnel flow time, s

Table 3
The equation of slopes for determination of capillarity coefficient M0
15
M50 M100
Serie Equation R Slope (S)
M150 M250
M0 y = 0.012x + 0.0042 0.986 0.012 Target range M300
M200
M50 y = 0.0086x + 0.0166 0.998 0.0086
11
M100 y = 0.0094x + 0.0196 0.998 0.0094
M150 y = 0.0106x + 0.0173 0.997 0.0083
M200 y = 0.009x + 0.0161 0.999 0.0095 7
M250 y = 0.0165x + 0.0036 0.998 0.0165
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
M300 y = 0.0225x + 0.002 0.999 0.0225 Time required for T50 of Slump-Flow, s

Fig. 6. Relationship between V-funnel time and time required for T50 of slump-flow.

900
850 850
Slump Flow (mm)

800
Slump-Flow, mm

800 2
Target range S-0 y = 17.212x - 433.05x + 3348
750 750 2
S-30th R = 0.7662
700 700
650 650
600 600
550 550
500 500
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 11 12 13 14 15 16
Serie, M V-Funnel Flow Time, s
Fig. 5. Slump-flow and slump-flow after 30 min of SCC depending on MD content. Fig. 7. Relationship between slump-flow and V-funnel time.

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such as the dosage, the reactivity of the limestone filler, the w/c
controls the volume of the entrapped voids in the system, the total
volume of voids in the fresh system and the required volume of
fine particles to fill them and increase the packing density, thus,
the flow resistance is decreased. At the same time, FA has higher
volume compared to the same weight of MD due to the lower spe-
cific gravity of FA than MD. In this case, the required amount of
mixing water for lubrication, in SCC produced with FA, is more
than SCC with MD. Thus, it is seen that the viscosity of M0 serie
containing only FA is quite higher than the other series and limit
values. The viscosity of concrete SCC incorporating FA is also at-
tempted to be arranged by using MD. MD has a viscosity reducing
effect on SCC similar to stone dust.
On the other hand, it was proposed by Safawi et al. [18], that V-
time can be generalized to three distinct parts; less than 8 s; 8–
12 s; and above 13 s. In this way, the viscosity was deemed very
low for the mixtures having V-times less than 8 s. SCC target value
aimed for V-time can be said as 10 s. Simply, it was assumed that
V-time 10 ± 2 s could be an appropriate range for SCC mix. Physi-
cally, a mixture with V-time of 10 s showed some degree of cohe-
siveness. Therefore, the third category assumed that V-time above
13 s would be very cohesive and hard to handle. However, slump-
flow time must be considered when the viscosity of SCC is
discussed.
Experimental results related to L-box ratio indicate the filling
and passing ability of SCC. L-box test is more sensitive to blocking.
There is a risk of blocking of the mixture when the L-box blocking
ratio is below 0.8 [15]. Blocking ratio of SCC produced with MD is
given in Fig. 8. Blocking ratio must be between 0.8 and 1. All series
of SCC except M250 and M300 series have remained in target
range. Using MD up to 250 kg/m3 content in SCC has not negatively
affected blocking ratio because of decreasing viscosity at the same
time. Blocking ratio of M250 and M300 series were as 0.79 and
0.41, respectively. In other words, yield stresses of these series
were very high because of increase in filler content [19]. Finally,
it can be said that SCC has filling capability and passing ability
tends slowly towards stoppage. They have also reported that there
is a good relation between blocking ratio and yield stress.
As seen from Fig. 9, air content of SCC has increased by using
MD in SCC. For the same w/p ratio, increase in filler content has af-
fected the water demand for lubrication on filler particles. Further-
more, this case, affects the air content of concrete due to improper
placing in the mould. Related to MD content, unit weight of SCC
has also decreased because of increase in air content. By using
additions such as MD in SCC, the unit weight can decrease by
obtaining improved workability. The self weight of SCC and thus,
the dead weight of structure can be decreased with the decrement
in unit weight. When the other properties of fresh SCC incorporat-
ing MD as filler material are considered, it can be pointed that the
optimum usage content of MD is as 200 kg/m3 content according to
the standard fresh SCC tests conducted. SCC, incorporating this
content of MD, contains 3% air content and it is higher than the
air content of M0 serie. The frost resistance of SCC can also be im-
proved by using MD and increasing air content like mentioned in
previous studies [20].
3.2. Hardened concrete properties
28th day compressive strengths and flexural strengths of SCC
are given in Fig. 10. As seen from the Fig. 10, the compressive
and flexural strengths have decreased because of increase in MD
content. The lowest compressive and flexural strengths were ob-
tained for M250 and M300 series that have poor workability. The
highest compressive and flexural strengths have been obtained
for M0 as 59 MPa and 11 MPa, respectively. The compressive
strength differences between M0 and M100 were not too much.
The compressive strengths of M50 and M100 series were about
56 MPa. Generally, the series between M0 and M200 can be
4 2400
3.5

Unit Weight (kg/m3)

up to 200 kg/m3 MD content. 2380
Air Content (%)

Felekoğlu et al. [17] have investigated the blocking ratio of SCC 3

2360
related to water/cement ratio (w/c). It was reported that by 2.5
increasing w/c, blocking ratio decreased due to decrease in viscos- 2 2340
ity and yield stress of SCC. However, in this study, water/powder 1.5
air content 2320
ratio was kept constant. Additionally, filler content was increased
1
and admixture content was decreased. unitweight
2300
0.5
Nguyen et al. [19] have proposed a model for predicting a
homogeneous fluid related to L-box test and rheological parame- 0 2280
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
ters. They have firstly presented that if the standard procedure is
followed and the L-box gate promptly lifted, the flow is dominated Marble Dust (kg/m3)
by inertia effects, depending on the lifting speed of the gate and
Fig. 9. Air content and unit weight of SCC with MD.
thus, depending on the operator. When the gate is slowly lifted,
the kinetic energy is spread over the gate lifting duration. The flow

70 12
Compressive Strength (MPa)

Cylinder Comp
Flexure Strength (MPa)

1.3
60 10
1.2 Flexure
1.1 50
8
Blocking Ratio

1
0.9 Target range 40
6
0.8
30
0.7
4
0.6 20
0.5
10 2
0.4
0.3 0 0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 0 50 1 00 150 200 250 300
Serie, M Serie, M
Fig. 8. Blocking ratio of SCC with marble dust content. Fig. 10. Compressive strength and flexural strength of 28 aged SCC.

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accepted as high-strength concrete (>40 MPa) [21]. The positive
effects of different MD contents in SCC on fresh concrete properties
have also been obtained for hardened concrete properties. In other
words, MD contents up to 200 kg/m3 which led to acceptable fresh
concrete properties in terms of workability have also improved
hardened concrete properties. When it is compared to ordinary
concrete, SCC has higher compressive and flexural strengths [16].
Bonavetti et al. [8] have produced SCC by using limestone pow-
der as filler material providing water to cement ratios (w/c) of 0.30
and 0.34. The addition of limestone filler in cement leads to an in-
crease in the compressive strength. The reason can be said as that
the filler is an inert addition and it could be assumed as an ultra-
fine aggregate in concrete filling voids. The compressive strength
of SCC in 0.30 w/c ranged between about 43 and 58 MPa.
Water is the main cause of the degradation of building materi-
als. It penetrates into porous media, transports harmful substances
and freezes inside. When a homogeneous porous material has a
constant hydraulic potential at its wet surface, liquid can reach
the significant heights due to the capillary absorption [12]. One
of the important results of this study is that the capillarity coeffi-
cient of concrete decreased with the increase in filler material con-
tent between 50 and 200 kg/m3 (Fig. 11), and that the capillarity
coefficient values depend on the porosity (Fig. 12). In SCC with
MD filler, lower than 200 kg/m3 filler content, the voids were filled
and the capillarity of concrete was decreased due to high workabil-
ity. Nevertheless, above 200 kg/m3 filler content, the average pore
size was higher due to increase in specific surface area of fine
materials. Therefore, concrete has larger capillary pores, and lower
compressive strength as a result of the higher capillarity coefficient
obtained in SCC. Porosity of SCC with MD is also lower than normal
concrete [6,16].
Türkmen and Kantarcı [22] have investigated the capillarity
coefficients of normal and lightweight SCC cured in different con-
ditions. Lightweight SCC was produced with expanded perlite
aggregate (EPA). They have reported that the capillarity coefficient
Capillarity Coefficient x10-5
45
40
35
30
(cm2/min)
25
20
15
10
5 matrix can be occurred. The well-bonded interfacial zone is a char-
0 acteristic of higher strength development of the concrete. The high
0 50 100 150
Marble Dust (kg/m3)
Fig. 11. Variation of capillarity coefficients related to filler content.
Capillarity Coefficient x10-5
50
45 y = 1.1858x2 - 20.98x + 98.829
40 R2= 0.8561
35
(cm2/min)
30
25
20
15
10
5 4.1
0 4
7 8 9 10 11
Apparent Porosity (%)
Fig. 12. Capillarity and ultrasonic velocity of SCC versus porosity.
_ et al., Effect of waste marble dust content as filler on properties ..., Constr Build Mater (2008),
Please cite this article in press as: Topçu IB
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.09.007
ARTICLE IN PRESS
has been increased with the increase in the apparent porosity.
Moreover, porosity of SCC without EPA was between 8% and 18%.
SCC, produced by using MD as filler, has 5–11% porosity be-
tween 0 and 200 kg/m3 filler content. M250 and M300 series have
21% and 40% porosity, respectively. Assié et al. [3] have carried out
a study on the potential durability of SCC. They have reported that
the porosity of SCC ranged from 10.5% to 15.2%.
Capillarity coefficient of SCC with MD has increased and led to
decreased compressive strength due to MD content, especially for
250 and 300 kg/m3 content. Although increasing capillarity coeffi-
cient with filler content, it is lower than normal concrete. Tasdemir
[13] has reported that the capillary sorptivity coefficient of con-
crete decreases slightly with increasing compressive strength.
Ultrasonic velocity is used for discussing the strength of con-
crete related to compactness of concretes [23]. Compactness of
concrete is inversely proportional with porosity. Thus, decrease
in porosity of concrete can lead to increases in compressive
strength and compactness. Relation between ultrasonic velocity
and compactness of SCC are presented in Fig. 13. Ultrasonic veloc-
ity has increased by increasing compactness and compressive
strength, or decreasing porosity. It is obtained that SCC incorporat-
ing MD as filler materials up to 200 kg/m3 have quite well filling
capability. Hence, the porosity of concrete is very low. The porosity
of M250 and M300 series are obtained between 13% and 14%. Fur-
thermore, the porosities of M0 and M200 series are obtained be-
tween 7% and 10%. A good linear relationship was observed
between ultrasonic velocity and compactness (R = 0.95). The pulse
velocity of SCC is between about 4.2 km/h and 4.6 km/h.
Sahmaran et al. [7] have investigated the effect of mineral and
chemical admixtures on the properties of SCC. It was reported that
the use of mineral admixtures in mortars caused a decrease in the
ultrasonic velocity. The reduction in the ultrasonic velocity was
just about in line with the reduction in the compressive strength.
Even though, the measured parameters were different, there was
a good correlation between the compressive strength and ultra-
sonic velocity of mortars.
In Fig. 14, microstructure of SCC containing 300 kg/m3 filler
material content is seen. Small pores are mainly situated around
big limestone particles. It can also be seen that even very small
marble stone particles still exist in the pastes after 28 days of
hydration. Ye et al. [1] have investigated the microstructure of
SCC produced with limestone filler. They have observed that the
total amount of non-pozzolanic filler material has almost not chan-
ged during 28 days of hydration. In the microstructure of SCC with
MD as filler material, a good bond between aggregate and cement
200 250 300 fluidity, workability and the cohesiveness of the fresh SCC were ob-
tained by the addition of admixtures and fine filler. It seems that
these materials help a strict contact between organic and inorganic
phases [24].
Ultrasonic Velocity (km/h)
4.8
4.7 y= 0.0628x- 1.2296
4.6 R2 = 0.9069
4.5
4.4
4.3
4.2
12 13 14 85 87 89 91 93
Compactness (%)
Fig. 13. Relationship between ultrasonic velocity and compactness.
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
_
I.Bekir Topçu et al. / Construction and Building Materials xxx (2008) xxx–xxx
Fig. 14. Microstructure of SCC in 300 kg/m3 marble dust content.
4. Conclusions
The conclusions of this study can be said as follows:
 When the properties of fresh SCC such as slump-flow, V-funnel
time, blocking ratio, air content and unit weight are considered
as a criterion to determine the optimum usage ratio of MD in
SCC, it can be said that usage amount below 200 kg/m3 content
is suitable for improving all of these properties. Even the slump-
flow values of SCC incorporating high volume of fly ash are very
high; their viscosities are also quite high. Therefore, the risk of
blocking is increased. In the case of using high amount of MD,
blocking risk is decreased by reducing the viscosity similar to
the usage of stone dust as filler material in SCC.
 Filling capability and passing ability are between acceptable val-
ues of SCC containing up to 200 kg/m3 MD content. It generally
well-known that filling capability and passing ability increase in
the SCC produced with high volume of fly ash. In the case of
using high volume of stoned dust, filling capability and passing
ability decrease due to the decrease in the segregation resis-
tance. The filling capability and passing ability of SCC would
decrease by using MD 200 kg/m3 content.
 If the properties of hardened SCC such as compressive strength,
flexural strength, capillary coefficient and compactness would
be taken into account, the usage amount can be said as
200 kg/m3 content again. It is known that fly ash as a pozzolanic
material increases the late age compressive strengths of SCC.
However, it decreases the early age compressive strengths.
Stoned dust and MD increase both early and late age compres-
sive strengths by filling voids. If the stone dust and MD are uti-
lized in SCC at very high volumes, the loss in compressive
strength is led to be obtained due to the increase in the demand
for cementitious material related to the finenesses of these
materials as filler.
 Therefore, the maximum and the optimum usage amount of MD
can be said as 200 kg/m3 content in order to obtain best perfor-
mance for both of fresh and hardened properties of SCC.
 Consequently, if the positive effects of MD on fresh and hard-
ened concrete properties of SCC are considered, it can be
reported that a new usage method for MD is developed. MD
_ et al., Effect of waste marble dust content as filler on properties ..., Constr Build Mater (2008),
Please cite this article in press as: Topçu IB
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.09.007
7
used below 200 kg/m3 content as filler material has also benefi-
cial effects on both fresh and hardened properties of SCC. Thus,
MD can be recycled at higher amounts and the environmental
pollution can be prevented. This is also an important conclusion
for sustainable development and concrete industry similar to
use of fly ash, limestone powder and other by-products. The
most popular used filler materials in SCC are limestone powder,
fly ash and silica fume. MD as an inorganic material can be used
like limestone powder in the production of SCC when chemical
compositions of MD, fresh and hardened SCC produced with
MD properties are considered.
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