CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 GENERAL

Based on the procedures described in the previous chapter, workability and strength studies
were carried out on SCC mixes. Obtained results were tabulated. Test results cover the effect
of silica fume and fly ash on the rheological and strength properties of self-compacting
concrete. Detailed analysis and discussion on the results are presented in this chapter.

4.2 WORKABILITY TEST RESULTS

Workability tests were done in order to assess the requirements of SCC. Filling ability,
passing ability and segregation resistance of SCC mixes with Fly ash and silica fume was
found out. Slump flow, V funnel and J-Ring tests were conducted. To obtain workable mix
superplasticizer dosage was varied. Table 4.1 shows the amount of superplasticizer used in
different mixes in order to attain desired workability.

Table 4.1 Superplasticizer dosage in various mixes

Superplasticizer
Mix Designation
(% wt of binder)

S1 1

S2 1.5

S3 2

S4 2.5

An optimum dosage(2.5%) is found out, and further tests were carried out with this dosage.

4.2.1 Filling Ability

Slump flow test and V-funnel test were conducted on various mixes to determine the filling
ability of various SCC mixes made with SP 430, Silica fume and fly ash. Table 4.2 shows the
obtained values.
Trial no S P 430 Slump V-funnel T 50

47
 slump
1 1 320 56 12
2 1.5 550 22 10
3 2 600 17 6
4 2.5 700 8 3

Table 4.2.1: Filling Ability of SCC1

Trial no Fly Slump V-funnel T 50 slump

ash(%)
1 12 400 29 2
2 13 520 20 4
3 14 640 16 5
4 15 690 9 4

Table 4.2.2: Filling Ability of SCC2

Trial no Silica Slump V-funnel T 50 slump

fume
1 1 690 32 2
2 2 640 25 4
3 3 540 19 3
4 4 620 12 4
5 5 680 10 5

Table 4.2.3: Filling Ability of SCC3

48
SCC incorporated with Fly Ash shows a slight reduction in slump flow value comparing with
control SCC mix(SCC1). Also T50 slump time and V funnel time increases with addition of
1% Fly ash. Based on visual inspection it was found that addition of 1% Fly ash shows a
reduction in bleeding. A reduction in bleeding improves the surface integrity of concrete,
improves its homogeneity, and reduces the probability of cracks occurring where there is
some restraint to settlement.
From the mixes SCC1 to SCC3 the tests shows a reduction in slump flow of SCC. Since
Microsilica has large effective surface, it absorbs too much water and thus reduces concrete’s
workability. This would also increase the concrete’s shear strength against flowability and
viscosity of SCC. Mix with small dosage of microsilica has greater workability comparing
with the mixes with higher dosage of microsilica. Fig 4.1 and 4.2 shows the slump flow test
and the slump flow for various mixes. Fig 4.3 shows the T50 slump time of various mixes.

Fig 4.1 Slump flow

Fig 4.2 Slump flow for various mixes

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 6

4
T50 SLUMP
T50 slump

3
(sec)

0
S GS GSN1 GSN2 GSN3 GSN4

Fig 4.3 T50 slump for various mixes

From the mix SCC1 to SCC3, V funnel time increase as the amount of Silica fume increases.
Fig 4.4 shows the V funnel test. Fig 4.5 shows the V funnel time of SCC mixes with SP,silica
fume and fly ash.

Fig 4.4 V funnel test

50
 12.5

12

11.5

11
V Funnel (sec)

V FUNNEL
10.5

10

9.5

9
S GS GSN1 GSN2 GSN3 GSN4

Fig 4.5 V funnel time for various mixes

4.2.2 Passing Ability

J-ring test was conducted for measuring the passing ability of SCC. About 6 litre of concrete
was needed J-Ring was positioned centrally on the base-plate and the slump-cone was
positioned centrally inside it and hold down it solidly. Filled the cone with the scoop.
Removed surplus concrete from around the base of the cone. Raised the cone vertically and
allow the concrete to flow out freely then measured the difference in height between the
concrete just inside the bars and that just outside the bars. Calculated the average of the
difference in height at four locations (in mm).Fig 4.6 shows the J-Ring test.The result are
shown in Table 4.5.J-Ring value for different mixes are shown in fig 4.7.

Trial no S P 430 J-Ring

(mm)
1 1 12
2 1.5 11
3 2 6

4 2.5 5

Table 4.5.1:Passing ability of SCC1

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 Trial no Fly Ash J-Ring (mm) Trial no Silica J-Ring

(%) Fume(%) (mm)

1 12 9 1 1 13
2 2 10
2 13 8
3 3 6
3 14 5
4 4 5
4 15 3 5 5 2
Table 4.5.2:Passing ability of SCC2
Table 4.5.3:Passing ability of SCC3

Fig4.6 J-Ring test

It was seen that from SCC1 to SCC3 J-Ring value decreases. This is due to the increase in
amount of fines.

Fig 4.7 J-Ring value for various mixes.

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4.2.3 Segregation Resistance
V-funnel test for 5 minutes was measured. An increase in flow time indicates segregation of
concrete. The results are shown in Table 4.6.V-funnel T5 mints for different mixes are shown
in fig 4.8

Trial no S P 430 V funnel Trial no Fly Ash V funnel

(sec) (%) (sec)
1 1 12 1 12 10
2 1.5 11 2 13 12
3 2 13 3 14 14

4 2.5 12 4 15 14

Table 4.6.1 Segregation resistance of SCC1 and SCC2

Trial no Silica V funnel

Fume(%) (sec)
1 1 13
2 2 14
3 3 12
4 4 15
5 5 15

Table 4.6.2 Segregation resistance of SCC3

16
14
12
V FUNNEL T5 (sec)

10
8
V FUNNEL T5
6
4
2
0
S GS GSN1 GSN2 GSN3 GSN4

Fig 4.8 V Funnel T5 time for various mixes

53
V funnel T5 time shows a slight variation with addition of microsilica. The basic
requirements of high flowability and segregation resistance as specified by guidelines on Self
Compacted Concrete by EFNARC are satisfied with varying superplasticizer dosage.

4.3 STRENGTH TEST RESULTS

Strength of hardened concrete is an important parameter which gives the quality of concrete.
Strength test has to be done at various ages for controlling the quality of concrete.
Mechanical properties of concrete are compressive strength, split tensile strength, modulus of
elasticity and flexural strength. Various tests were carried out at early and later age of
concrete.

4.3.1 Compressive strength

For finding the compressive strength of SCC mixes, cube specimens of size 100mm ×
100mm × 100mm was used. Three cube specimens were tested for each SCC mixes after 3, 7,
and 28 days of water curing. The average cube compressive strength for the various SCC
mixes are shown in Table 4.7. Fig 4.9 shows the cube compressive strength for SCC mixes at
different ages.

Table 4.7 Average cube compressive strength for various mixes

Sample Compressive strength (MPa)

3 day 7 day 28 day

SCC 1 23 32 45

SCC 2 38 40.5 53
SCC 3 53 61 72

SCC2 mix shows greater compressive strength than the conventional mixes at all ages. With
increase in fly ash content up to 1% (vol of cement) compressive strength of SCC increases.
This result was expected because the addition of fines enhances energy-absorbing
property.The inclusion of fly ash increases the density of SCC but retards the hydration
rate,resulting in substantial strength gain only after 28 days.Both early age and later age

54
strength of SCC3 was more than control SCC mix. Percentage increase in compressive
strength of GS mix at 28 day was 4.97%.
With addition of 5% microsilica in SCC causes an increase in both early and later age
strength. Increase in compressive strength with the addition of microsilica is due do its high
pozzolanic activity. Microsilica, due to its high special surface, is so reactive, and produces
C-S-H condensed gel as a result of reaction with Ca(OH) 2. Therefore, in the pozzolanic
reaction, crystals of Ca(OH)2 decreases and high-strength dense gel C-S-H, which is a
product of pozzolanic reaction increases the density of transition region/ area by filling empty
spaces and thus increases the strength.

80

70

60
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (MPa)

50
S
GS
40 GSN1
GSN2
30 GSN3
GSN4

20

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
AGE (DAYS)

Fig 4.9 Cube compressive strength for various mixes at different ages

4.4.2 Split tensile strength

Splitting tensile strength for SCC mixes was found out using 150mm × 300mm cylinder
specimen. For each SCC mix three cylinders specimens were tested. Testing was done after

55
28 days of water curing. Table 4.8 shows the average cylindrical split tensile strength for
various mixes. Fig 4.11 shows the variation of split tensile strength for various SCC mixes.

Table 4.8 Average cylindrical split tensile strength for various mixes
Split Tensile strength for
Mix various Mixes (N/mm2)
28 day
SCC1 3.280
SCC2 3.560
SCC3 4.01

Addition of AR glass fibre causes an increase in split tensile strength of SCC.This

improvement can be attributed to the larger contact area between fibres and mortar resulting
in more friction and higher performance of the concrete. By the replacement of cement by
nanosilica from mixes GSN1 to GSN3 there is a gradual increase in split tensile strength.
Split tensile strength of GSN3 mix is increased by 7.52% and 8.17% at 28 and 56 days
comparing with GS mix. The higher split tensile strength for mixes with nanosilica may be
due to the additional binding property of finely divided nanosilica because of high pozzolanic
reaction and cement paste – aggregate interfacial refinement leading to higher bond strength.
Higher dosage of nanosilica (3.5%) shows a reduction in split tensile strength as seen in
compressive strength.

56
 5

4.5

3.5
Split tensile strength (MPa)

2.5 28 day
56 day
2

1.5

0.5

0
S GS GSN1 GSN2 GSN3 GSN4

Fig 4.11 Split tensile strength of various mixes

4.4.3 Modulus of elasticity

Modulus of elasticity was found out using cylinder specimen of 150mm × 300mm size. From
the load and deformation obtained in the test, stress-strain diagram was drawn and young’s
modulus was found out. Table 4.8 shows variation in the young’s modulus of various mixes.
Fig 4.12 shows the Modulus of elasticity for the 28 and 56 day mixes. Modulus of elasticity
increases with increase in AR glass fibre content. Incorporating nanosilica as a cement
replacement material up to 2.5% increased modulus of elasticity and then decreases. Later
age strength development can be observed in the mixes with nanosilica due to its pozzolanic
reactivity. Modulus of elasticity of GSN3 is increased by 12.03% and 9.99% comparing with
the mix GS.

57
 Table 4.8 Modulus of elasticity for various mixes

Modulus of Elasticity for

Mix various mixes (GPa)

28 day 56 day

S 40.70 43.62

GS 42.89 45.27

GSN1 43.065 46.71

GSN2 47.25 49.33

GSN3 48.05 49.79

GSN4 40.83 44.04

60

50

40
Young's Modulus (GPa)

30 28 day
56 day

20

10

0
S GS GSN1 GSN2 GSN3 GSN4

Fig 4.12 Young’s modulus for various mixes

58
4.4.4 Flexural strength

For determining flexural strength of SCC mixes beam specimens of

size100mm×100mm×500mm were used. Testing was done after 28 and 56 day water curing.
Fig 4.13 shows the variation of flexural strength for SCC mixes. Variation in the flexural
strength of SCC mixes shows similar trend like that of splitting tensile strength. With
increase in fibre content, flexural strength increased by 3.28% and 3.42% at 28 and 56 day.
With increase in nanosilica flexural strength increase and then decreases after optimum
dosage. GSN3 (2.5% nanosilica) shows greater flexural strength comparing with other mixes.
Flexural strength is increased by 9.24% and 10.26% at 28 and 56 day respectively for the mix
GSN3. Flexural strength assessments demonstrated that having filler and pozzolanic effects,
nanosilica can improve the structural properties and adhesive of the cement matrix-fibres and
mortar–aggregates interfaces area.
Table 4.9 Flexural strength for various mixes

Flexural strength for

various mixes
Mix (N/mm2)

28 day

SCC1 4.8

SCC2 5.30

SCC3 5.05

59
 5.6

5.4

5.2
Flexural strength (Mpa)

5 28 day
56 day

4.8

4.6

4.4
S GS GSN1 GSN2 GSN3 GSN4

Fig 4.13 Flexural strength for various mixes

60