Research findings on the use supplementary cementing material in self

compacting concrete.
In this section, research findings related to the use of supplementary materials in self
compacting concrete on the fresh and hardened concrete are presented. Properties of concrete
covered are slump, U-box V-box, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and
abrasion resistance.

Fly ash

Fresh concrete properties

Siddique (2010) performed the results of various fresh properties tested by slump flow test
(slump flow diameter and T50cm), J-ring test (flow diameter and difference in concrete
height inside and outside J-ring (h2–h1)); L-box test (time taken to reach 400 mm distance
T400mm, time taken to reach 600 mm distance T600mm, and time taken to reach 800 mm
distance TL, ratio of heights at the two edges of L-box (H2/H1));V-funnel test (time taken by
concrete to flow through V-funnel after 10 s T10s, time taken by concrete to flow through V-
funnel after 5 min T5min), U-box test (difference in height of concrete in two chambers (H2–
H1)) for various mix compositions are given table.

Slump Flow j-Ring V-funnel L-Box U-box

Mix h2– (H1–

Dia. T50cm Dia T10s T5min T400mm T600mm TL (H2/H
h1 H2)
(mm) (s) (mm) (s) (s) (s) (s) (s) 1)
(mm) (mm)

SCC1 673.3 4.5 586.7 2.3 7.5 15.0 3.5 8.3 11.9 0.89 20

SCC2 690.0 3.0 580.0 6.7 4.5 5.1 1.4 2.4 3.5 0.95 10

SCC3 603.3 4.4 540.3 37.0 5.2 7.6 0.5 1.3 2.4 0.85 40

SCC4 673.3 3.0 626.7 3.0 6.1 9.5 1.2 2.2 4.0 0.95 5

SCC5 633.3 4.0 556.3 7.0 10.0 18.5 2.8 4.8 6.9 0.92 20

Sukumar et al.2008 conducted workability tests such as slump flow test, V-funnel test, L-
box test and GTM screen stability test as per specifications were carried out to test the flow
ability, filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance as per specifications. The
workability test results (Table 2) are found to be within the prescribed limits as per
specifications and guidelines and satisfy all the required rheological characteristics and self-
compactability.
Table: Workability test results with recommended limits (Sukumar et al.2008)

w/p SP/b
Slump T50cm V- V- L-box GTM
L-box
Mix rati ratio Flow(mm slump funnel funnel T20,T40(s segregati
h2/hi
ID o ) flow(s) flow Tf at Tmin ) on ratio

AS3 0.34 0.4 793 1.0 3 4 1.0, 1.5 1.0 3

0
BS30 0.33 0.4 675 1.5 5 6 2.0, 2.5 .91 10.2

AS4 0.33 0.4 786 1.0 4 5 1.0, 1.5 .99 4.2

0
BS40 0.33 0.4 690 2.0 5 5 2.0, 2.5 .92 9.8

AS5 0.32 0.5 773 1.5 4 5 1.5, 2.0 .96 5.5

0
BS50 0.32 0.5 685 2.0 4 5 1.5,2.0 .89 8.5

AS6 0.32 0.6 766 1.5 5 6 1.5, 2.0 .95 6.2

0
BS60 0.31 0.6 695 2.0 4 5 1.5, 2.0 .94 9.5

AS7 0.31 0.7 742 2.0 5 6 1.5, 2.0 .95 6.8

0
BS70 0.31 0.7 680 2.0 4 6 1.5,2.0 .90 8.2

Recommendation 600-800 <3 <6 <Tf+3 1-2.5 >.8 <15

limits

Halit Yazıcı (2007) it can be seen from the Table, slump flow diameters vary between 710
mm and 825 mm. It is well known that T50 and V-box times may be accepted as a measure
of plastic viscosity, slump flow diameter indicates the yield stress. T50 times increase with
the increasing FA content in H series.

Table.: Properties of fresh concrete (Halit Yazıcı, 2007)

 Series FA % Flow(mm) T50 V-box Air Temp. .c

H30 30 785 3.5 18 25

H40 40 750 4.5 23 27

H50 50 800 5 42 24

H60 60 780 7.5 35 28

Miao Liu (2010) studied that Due to its spherical shape, fly ash can disperse agglomeration
of cement particles. When cement is replaced by fly ash, a lower dosage of super plasticiser
and an increased quantity of water is therefore required to maintain the same filling ability
passing ability is dependent on coarse aggregate content and viscosity. The step height of the
J-ring test, which gives an indication of the passing ability increased from 11 mm to 22 mm
for SCC with cement only and with fly ash only respectively. The difference of 11 mm is
higher than the typical within-test variation of 8 mm reported by Bartos. If the difference
does not come from variation of the test method itself, it should result from the difference
between two mixes. one has a higher W/P ratio and a lower super plasticiser dosage than
other (Second) . The combined influences of an increase in fly ash content and W/P ratio and
a decrease in super plasticiser dosage lead to the increased viscosity and hence the increase in
step height as the coarse aggregate content is constant. There is an improvement in
segregation resistance for the SCC mixes incorporating 80% and 100% fly ash. The
segregation index of these mixes is only 5–7% which is low. This is in line with the results
from Bouzoubaa and Lachemi that for SCCs with fly ash, segregation index decreased with
an increase in fly ash which accompanied an increase in the super plasticiser content and a
decrease in the W/P ratio.

P.L. Domone (2006) conducted slump flow test, which measures the flow capacity, has been
universally used, and hence values of slump flow spread. Nearly 50% of the applications used
values in the range 650–700 mm, with nearly 90% in the range 600–750 mm . Flow rate
values, expressed either as T500, V- or O-funnel or Orimet times, were reported in about half
of the case studies. They varied considerably; T500 times ranged from 1.8 to more than 12 s
and V-funnel or O-funnel times from 3 to 15 s; there is thus a wide range in this property.
There was no pattern of higher slump flows being associated with lower flow rate values,
indicating the independence of these properties, and the ability to design mixtures with a
combination thought suitable for a given application.. L box blocking ratio values were all in
excess of 0.8; U-box values were in excess of 300 mm, with the reinforcement spacing varied
in some cases to suit the application.

Hardened Concrete Properties

Compressive strength

Siddique (2010) investigated the compressive strength tests results of SCC mixes are given
in Table and shown in Fig. With the increase in fly ash content from 15–35%, SCC mixes
developed compressive strengths between 29.5 and 22.8 MPa at 7 day; between 35.2 and 29.6
at 28 day; between 58.9 and 40.8 at 90 day; and between 61.2 and 43.7 MPa at 365 day. The
compressive increased with a decrease in the percentage of the fly ash and the water-to-
cementitious materials ratio.

Compressive strength (MPa) Splitting tensile strength (MPa)

Mix
7days 28days 90days 365days 28days 90days 365days

SCC1 29.55 35.19 58.99 61.24 2.40 2.68 2.96

SCC2 27.99 33.15 52.86 54.60 2.12 2.33 2.61

SCC3 25.52 31.47 43.76 46.67 1.83 2.12 2.33

SCC4 23.98 30.66 41.96 44.87 1.76 1.97 2.26

SCC5 22.78 29.62 40.88 43.73 1.55 1.76 2.12

Fig.2.1 Compressive strength of SCC mixes at various ages. (Siddique, 2010)

Khatib (2008) investigated the effect of FA incorporation on concrete strength at a constant

addition of AD (0.7%). Concrete containing 40% FA shows higher 56 days strength than the
other FA mixes including the 20% FA mix, whereas high strength of approximately 70
N/mm2 at 56 days is obtained. Generally and at the same water to binder ratio, there is
strength reduction for concretes containing FA compared with that of the control. However,
and even at high FA content (60%), a long-term high strength of about 40 N/mm 2 is achieved
at the same water to binder ratio. Higher strength would be expected in the FA mixes if the
w/b ratio was lowered to achieve similar workability to that of the control. The trend is
similar to results obtained elsewhere on SCC containing FA .

Fig. Influence of FA content on strength (AD = 0.7%).( Khatib,2008)

Halit Yazıcı (2007) conducted test of compressive strength development of H series within
time is presented in Fig. The results show that the compressive strength decreases with the
increasing FA content at all ages. It can be seen from Fig. that, the compressive strength of
control (0% FA) and 60% FA mixtures were 61.8 MPa and 28.4 MPa, respectively at 28
days. All mixes show strength gain beyond 28 days and the control mixture reached to 72.5
MPa at 90 days while this value was 38 MPa for 60% FA content. However, it is clear that, it
is possible to produce a SCC with a compressive strength value of 50 MPa with 30–40% FA
replacement.

Fig.Relation between fly ash%content

FA and compressive strength

P.L. Domone (2006) studied the 28 day strength values were reported in nearly all cases.
Values ranged from 20 to nearly 100 MPa, with about 80% of mixes having strengths in
excess of 40MPa it is possible to produce SCC with strengths to suit nearly all normal
concreting situations. Strengths are controlled mainly by the binder composition, and not with
water/binder ratio as in conventional workability concrete.

Splitting Tensile strength

(Siddique, 2010) conducted test on Splitting tensile strength, test results of SCC mixes are
given in Table, and shown in Fig. . SCC mixes achieved splitting tensile strength from 1.55 to
2.40, 1.76 to 2.68, and 2.12 to 2.96 MPa at 28, 90 and 365 days, with the increase in fly ash
content from 15 to 35%. Splitting tensile strength increased with a decrease in the percentage
of the fly ash and the water-to-cementitious materials ratio. With the increase in cement
content, the strength of SCC1 (15% fly ash) gradually increased to 2.40 MPa at 28 days. An
increase of about 54% of strength at 28 days and 40% at 365 days as observed with the
decrease of the fly ash contents from 35% (SCC5) to 15% (SCC1). SCC4 (30% fly ash)
attained strength 1.76 MPa, 1.97 MPa, and 2.26 MPa at 28, 90 and 365 days, respectively.
Similarly, SCC3 (25% fly ash) attained strength corresponding to 1.83 MPa,2.12 MPa and
2.33 Pa, at 28, 90 and 365 days, respectively. As the percentage of fly ash in mixes
decreased, the tensile strength increased at all ages. The value of split tensile strength was
reported as 2.82 MPa at 28 days

Fig.2.6 Splitting tensile strength of SCC mixes at various ages. (Siddique, 2010)

Halit Yazıcı (2007) studied that with increasing amount of FA content over 30%, splitting
tensile strength decreased for H series. Although there is slight reduction in splitting tensile
strength at 40% and 50% FA content compared to the control mixture

Carbonation

Valcuende and Parra,2010 study of the carbonation depth in self-compacting concretes at

different ages Eight different concretes were used, four self-compacting (SCC) and four
normally-vibrated (NVC). The carbonation rate was found to be lower in SCC than NVC, due
to the fact that limestone fines produce less porosity and a finer microstructure. The
difference between both types of concrete tends to disappear as their fines content becomes
similar. It was also observed that, under the test conditions (RH 60.8%), for pore sizes under
0.065 lm CO2 diffusion in the interior of the concrete is not significant.

Dinakar et al. (2008) Conducted Eight fly ash self compacting concretes of various strength
grades were designed at desired fly ash percentages of 0, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 85%, in
comparison with five different mixtures of normal vibrated concretes (NCs) at equivalent
strength grades. The durability properties were studied through the measurement of
permeable voids, water absorption, acid attack and chloride permeation. The results indicated
that the SCCs showed higher permeable voids and water absorption than the vibrated normal
concretes of the same strength grades. However, in acid attack and chloride diffusion studies
the high volume fly ash SCCs had significantly lower weight losses and chloride ion
diffusion.

Freeze–thaw resistance

Halit Yazıcı (2007) conducted test on residual compressive strength ratio of control mixture
after 90 freeze–thaw cycles is 93% (Fig. ). Non-exposed control specimens were kept in
water and all specimens were tested at 208 days. All specimens were in saturated surface dry
condition during mechanical tests. This result in accordance with results of Xie et al. in
which the compressive strength loss after 100 times freeze–thaw cycle was 11.0%.
Furthermore, the compressive strength of control mixture has been exceeded by both H and
HS series at all FA replacement level after freezing and thawing. For H series, the residual
strength of H30 is 108%, which means that freeze–thaw cycling cause increase in
compressive strength. Probably freezing–thawing cycles caused an extra curing effect due to
the Na+ ions.

Fig. Residual Compressive Strength after 90 freeze-thaw cycles (Halit Yazıcı, 2007)

Blast Furnace Slag

Flexural Strength

Ozyildirim (2001) studied three concrete mixtures placed in the jointed plain concrete paving
project in Newport News, Virginia. The main goal was to reduce the shrinkage and improve
the flexural strength of the concrete. Two of the mixtures that he used contained ground-
granulated blast furnace slag and the third contained Class F fly ash. The content of blast-
furnace slag in the two mixtures was 30% by mass of the total cementitious material and the
maximum water-cement ratio was 0.50. Flexural strengths at 28 days were similar for fly ash
and blast-furnace slag concretes, but after 60 days they were greater for those which
contained slag.

Shrinkage

Ozyildirim (2001) in their research shrinkage values of concretes containing slag cement
were slightly greater than the values of concretes with fly ash. For freezing and thawing tests
the acceptance criteria at 300 cycles were a weight loss of 7 percent and less, a durability
factor of 60 and more, and a surface rating (ASTM C 672) of 3 or less.

RICE HUSK
Compressive Strength

Hale (2000) et al. investigated the effects of the cement replacement with 25% by mass blast-
furnace slag on fresh and hardened concrete properties. As a result, compressive strengths
were increased by approximately 25 percent at 28 days as compared to normal Portland
cement mixtures. The use of 25 percent blast-furnace slag led to minor to moderate
reductions in slump and slightly lower air contents as compared to conventional mixtures.

Compressive strength

Safiuddin et al. (2010) in their research the average compressive strengths of the concretes
are presented in Fig. 2.9. The gain in compressive strength continued to occur over the 56
days curing period. The 28-days compressive strength varied from 42.7 to 94.1 MPa while
the 56-days compressive strength differed from 44.9 to 98.4 MPa for different concretes .The
highest level of later-age compressive strength was achieved for C35R30A6, which contained
30% RHA at the W/B ratio of 0.35. Conversely, the lowest level of compressive strength at
all ages was obtained for C50R0A6, which was produced with a W/B ratio of 0.50 and
without any RHA. Nevertheless, the performance criteria for both early-age and later-age
compressive strengths of SCHPC.were fulfilled for all concretes. The increase in compressive
strength is directly related to the reduction in concrete porosity. In the present study, the total
porosity of concrete decreased with a lower W/B ratio. The microstructure of concrete is
improved in both bulk paste matrix and interfacial transition zone with a reduced porosity.
Also, the cement content became higher at a lower W/B ratio since the water content was
kept constant for all concretes, as evident from Table. The increased cement content
improves the physical packing of aggregates and produces a greater amount of calcium
silicate hydrate (C–S–H) leading to a higher compressive strength. The RHA increased the
compressive strength of concretes at the ages of 7, 28 and 56 days, as evident from Figs.. The
improvement of compressive strength is mostly due to the micro filling ability and pozzolanic
activity of RHA .With a smaller particle size, the RHA can fill the micro voids within the
cement particles. Also, the RHA is a highly reactive SCM. It readily reacts with water and
calcium hydroxide (a by-product of cement hydration) and produces additional C–S–H. The
additional C–S–H reduces the porosity of concrete by filling the capillary pores, and thus
improves the microstructure of concrete in bulk paste matrix and transition zone leading to an
increased compressive strength. The increased air content decreased the compressive strength
of concrete. This is obvious from the compressive strength results of the concretes
‘C50R0A2’ and ‘C50R0A6’, as presented in Fig. . The reduction in compressive strength was
 about 4 MPa per 1% increase in air content. This is due to the entrained air-voids that
increase the total void content of concrete. The increased void content decreases the load
carrying capacity of concrete, and thus produces a lower compressive strength.
strength(MPA)
Compressive
strength(MPA)
Compressive

Fig.Compressive strength development of various concrete (md. Safiudin et al.2010)

Age days(.30
Table:2 Performance criteria for the key fresh and hardened properties of SCC.

( Safiuddin et al.2010)

Test method Age days (W/B .

Property Criterion
40)
Slump flow (SF) Filling ability (flow spread) 550–850 mm

V-funnel flow Filling ability (flow time) 6–12 s

Orimet flow Filling ability (flow time) 2.5–9 s

Fill-box flow Passing ability (filling percentage) 90–100%

L-box flow Passing ability (blocking ratio) 0.8–1.0

U-box flow Passing ability (filling height) 630 mm

J-ring flow (JF) Passing ability (blocking) (SF–JF)650 mm

Penetration Segregation resistance 68mm

depth
Sieve Segregation resistance 618%
segregation
Thermal parameters

Safiuddin et al. (2010) in the study thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity were
measured using the commercial device Isomet 2104 (Applied Precision, Ltd.). The
measurement is based on the analysis of the temperature response of the analyzed material to
heat flow impulses.

Freeze resistance

Safiuddin et al. (2010) conducted Freeze resistance testing of hardened SCC was carried out
in the de-icing salt solution environment (3% NaCl) according to the Swedish Standard 13 72
44 ‘‘Concrete testing – Hardened concrete – Frost resistance”. Following the requirements of
this method, samples were tested after 28 days of concrete maturing. The test was conducted
in a fully automatic laboratory freezer. The total test required 56 freezing and thawing cycles.
Freeze resistance was evaluated on the basis of total amount of scaling residue (mass loss) of
the samples which were subject of the test.
Density of hardened SCC

Memon et al. (2010) studied the density increased with the increase in the amount of RHA.
This is due to micro filler effect and additional C–S–H products filling the pores and hence
densifying the concrete and resulting in increase in the compressive strength of concrete. The
decrease in density in 10R3.5 and 10R4 mixes may be due to the less dense particles of RHA
displacing denser particles of cement.

Water absorption

Memon et al. (2010) studied that the water absorption decreased with the increase in RHA
content. This is due to micro filler effect and additional C–S–H products filling the pores
leading to reduced volume of large pores and reduced water binder ratio. In control concrete,
water absorption increased with the increase in the dosage of superplasticizer for flowability.
This is due to higher dosage of superplasticizer which caused segregated structure.

METAKAOLIN

Table:2.8. Fineness of Metakaolin (Melo and Carneiro,2010)

Metakaolin Type of grinding Specific surface area(m2/kg)

Fine- F Pendulum mill 758

Normal-N Pendulum mill 743

Coarse- C Hammer mill 419

 Table:2.9. Tests in SCC for different paste volumes for mixtures with Metakaolin N.
((Melo and Carneiro,2010)

Compressive strength

Melo, and Carneiro (2010) By way of 7 days, similar behavior was observed when the
finesses was reduced. However, at 56 days the concrete with 5% of Metakaolin presented a
little increase in compressive strength when using Metakaolin C.It can be observed the
compressive strength variation at 7 days and 56 days, in Figs. 2.12 and 2.13, as a function of
the paste volume.There was a reduction tendency with the decrease of paste volume,main at 7
days and 5% of Metakaolin. This result agrees with the effect on homogeneity loss verified
for the pastes with low Metakaolin content, especially when more paste was incorporated.
For the content of 35% the mixtures presented more robustness for the paste variation

For the compressive strength of mixtures with Vp = 0.40, Fig. 2.11 illustrates the behavior
observed at 7 days and 56 days. It is verified that the compressive strength decreased with the
increase in Metakaolin amount. This can demonstrate that the percentage of 35% exceeded
the limit of incorporation of this material to obtain improvements in the strength. Some
studies show that the best result in the concrete is obtained when the cement is replaced by
10% of this admixture. Another factor is the high w/cm of the mixtures with 35% of
Metakaolin

Fig. 2.11. Compressive strength at 7 days and 56 days for Vp = 0.40. (Melo and
Carneiro,2010)
Fig. 2.12. Variation of compressive strength at 7 days with paste volume using Metakaolin N.
( Melo and Carneiro,2010)

Fig. 2.13. Variation of compressive strength at 56 days with paste volume using Metakaolin
N. ( Meloand Carneiro,2010)