Rheological approach in proportioning and evaluating prestressed self-consolidating concrete

The successful development of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) requires a careful control of rheological properties of matrix. In this investigation, a parametric study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of binder type, w/cm (water-to-cementitious materials ratio), and coarse aggregate type and nominal size on rheology of prestressed SCC. The rheological measurement of the 33 SCC mixtures investigated in parametric study was performed using a modified Tattersall two-point workability rheometer. The yield stress and plastic viscosity values derived from the SCC mixtures were correlated to the various workability test results to identify combinations of rheological parameters necessary to secure adequate filling ability, filling capacity, and stability of SCC for successful casting of prestressed elements. Based on the results, it is recommended that SCC should have a plastic viscosity of 30–70 Pa s and 30–130 Pa s for concrete made with crushed aggregate and gravel, respectively, to ensure proper workability. Higher viscosity levels could lead to limitation in passing ability should be avoided. Better understanding of the rheological parameters that control the workability of SCC is important in developing mix design approaches and interpreting quality control test methods.     

Mechanical properties of prestressed self-consolidating concrete

Since the mix design of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) differs from that of conventional concrete, mechanical properties of SCC may differ from those of vibrated concrete. An experimental program was performed to evaluate mechanical properties of SCC used for precast, prestressed applications. Sixteen SCC mixtures with a fixed slump flow of 680 ± 20 mm were prepared with different mixture parameters, including binder content and binder type, w/cm, dosage of viscosity-modifying admixture, and sand-to-total aggregate volume ratio. Two high-performance concrete mixtures that represent typically concrete used for precast, prestressed applications were investigated for the control mixtures. They were proportioned with 0.34 and 0.38 w/cm and had slump values of 150 mm. Mechanical properties of SCC were compared to code provisions to estimate compressive strength, elastic modulus, and flexural strength. The modified ACI 209-90 and CEB-FIP MC90 codes are found to provide good estimate for compressive strength prediction. The AASHTO 2007 model can provide good prediction of the elastic modulus and flexural strength of SCC.     

The long-term creep and shrinkage behaviors of green concrete designed for bridge girder using a densified mixture design algorithm

Creep and shrinkage behaviors are critical factors in the precast/prestressed concrete industry because these factors allow engineers to assess the long-term performance of concrete and to develop life-cycle estimates for concrete structures. The current study presents the results of an experimental work that addresses creep and shrinkage behaviors as well as the development of compressive strength in ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPC), high-performance concrete (HPC), and self-consolidating concrete (SCC). The concrete mixtures created for the present study were used to fabricate prestressed bridge girders. A conventional method (ACI) was used to design the mixture proportion for OPC and a densified mixture design algorithm (DMDA) was used to design the mixture proportions for HPC and SCC. All concrete mixtures had the same target strength of 69 MPa (10000 psi) at 56 days. Additionally, a comparative performance in terms of strength development and creep and shrinkage behaviors of ACI and DMDA concrete is performed in the present study. Test results show that all of the samples attained the target strength after 28 days of curing and that the strengths of each continued to increase afterward. Importantly, the incorporation of pozzolanic materials into concrete mixtures affected the propagation of creep strain and shrinkage positively. Furthermore, the DMDA concrete sample delivered better long-term performance than ACI concrete in terms of compressive strength, creep strain, and shrinkage.     

Shrinkage and restrained shrinkage cracking of self-compacting concrete compared to conventionally vibrated concrete

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) used in Switzerland contains about 80 l/m³ more volume of paste than conventionally vibrated concrete (CVC). Consequently, there are some systematic differences in the properties of the hardened concrete. Normally, shrinkage of SCC is higher than shrinkage of CVC. Therefore, risk of cracking in case of restrained deformations can be increased for SCC. In this study shrinkage of thirteen different SCC mixtures using volume of paste, water content, type of binder, grain size distribution or content of shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) as variables was compared with shrinkage of three different CVC mixtures with constant volume of paste but variable w/b. Furthermore, the risk of cracking of the different SCC- and CVC-mixtures in restrained conditions was studied under constant and varying curing conditions. The results show that shrinkage is mainly depending on volume of paste. Due to the higher volume of paste, SCC displayed higher shrinkage than CVC. Adding an SRA was the only measure to reduce shrinkage of SCC to values of CVC. Restrained shrinkage cracking is depending on shrinkage rate, mechanical properties and drying velocity. For slow shrinkage stress development, cracking risk of SCC can be lower compared to CVC despite the higher shrinkage rate.     

自密实混凝土稳定性机理及其影响因素研究新进展

自密实混凝土浇筑成型后发生离析会对力学性能和耐久性能产生不同程度的危害,这一问题决定了自密实混凝土在满足施工性能的同时必须具有足够的稳定性。而自密实混凝土高流动性、高填充性及高间隙通过性等优异的工作性能特征,又决定了其拌合物的稳定性高度敏感。从静态稳定性和动态稳定性两方面分别阐述了自密实混凝土的稳定性机理,探讨了自密实混凝土静态稳定性和动态稳定性的表征方法,从配合比参数、拌合物流变性能、施工工艺等方面讨论了影响自密实混凝土稳定性的因素,提出了自密实混凝土稳定性的研究前景。     

Development of a modified concrete rheometer to measure the rheological behavior of conventional and self-consolidating concretes

The modified concrete rheometer (MCR) apparatus developed in this study is based on existing concrete rheometers, the main differences being the gap size and measurement method, and thus the interpretation of the results. The gap between the inner cylinder wall and the tip of the vane was set to 6.4 times the diameter of the largest coarse aggregate in order to reduce interaction between the aggregate and the wall and the friction force from the wall. The MCR apparatus was used to measure yield torque directly at different low rotational speeds (above 0.003 rev/s). A study of the yield torque and viscosity of 37 fresh concrete mixtures was also made, with a particular focus on self-compacting concrete or self-consolidating concrete (SCC), and the results were compared with those obtained using other workability tests. The test results showed that the MCR can differentiate between conventional concrete (CC), powder-type SCC and SCC with viscosity-modifying agents (VMA). The rheological behavior of powder-type SCC was found to be influenced by the composition of Class F fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), and this type of concrete exhibited a wider range of viscosity and yield torque values. Despite the lower powder content and larger water to binder ratio (w/b), the viscosity of VMA-type SCC was shown to be slightly lower than that of powder-type SCC, and the values were clustered together within a certain range; thus, the workability of SCC containing VMA is more easily controlled. In addition, the MCR apparatus can also be applied to CC of differing viscosity and yield torque, thus making this apparatus suitable for determination of the workability of all kinds of fresh concrete.     

Utility of statistical models in proportioning self-consolidating concrete

In addition to sound material selection, the mix design of self-consolidating concrete requires careful tailoring of mixture constituents to secure a proper balance between contradictory properties necessary for the successful production of such a complex material. Mixture optimization of self-consolidating concrete often requires several trial batches to secure the required characteristics. This paper reviews statistical models developed using a factorial design approach to understand the effect of mixture parameters on key responses, including slump flow, rheological parameters, filling capacity, V-funnel flow time, surface settlement, and compressive strength. The models are valid for mixtures with 0.37 to 0.50 W/CM, 360 to 600 kg/m³ of binder, 240 to 400 l/m³ of coarse aggregate, 0.05 to 0.20% of viscosity-enhancing agent, by mass of water, and 0.3 to 1.1% of high-range water reducer, by mass of binder. Although the predicted response changes with the deviation from material characteristics used in establishing the models, the models remain quite useful in determing the significance of mixture parameters and their interactions on self-consolidating concrete properties. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of the models in establishing trade-offs among mixture parameters necessary for mixture optimization and compares the effect of changes in such parameters on key self consolidating concrete responses. The utility of the models to establish correlation between different workability characteristics useful for quality control is also highlighted.     

Properties of self-compacting concrete prepared with coarse and fine recycled concrete aggregates

In this study, the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) using recycled concrete aggregate as both coarse and fine aggregates were evaluated. Three series of SCC mixtures were prepared with 100% coarse recycled aggregates, and different levels of fine recycled aggregates were used to replace river sand. The cement content was kept constant for all concrete mixtures. The SCC mixtures were prepared with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% fine recycled aggregates, the corresponding water-to-binder ratios (W/B) were 0.53 and 0.44 for the SCC mixtures in Series I and II, respectively. The SCC mixtures in Series III were prepared with 100% recycled concrete aggregates (both coarse and fine) but three different W/B ratios of 0.44, 0.40 and 0.35 were used. Different tests covering fresh, hardened and durability properties of these SCC mixtures were executed. The results indicate that the properties of the SCCs made from river sand and crushed fine recycled aggregates showed only slight differences. The feasibility of utilizing fine and coarse recycled aggregates with rejected fly ash and Class F fly ash for self-compacting concrete has been demonstrated.     

Effects of mineral admixtures on fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concretes: binary,ternary and quaternary systems

The paper presented herein investigates the effects of using supplementary cementitious materials in binary, ternary, and quaternary blends on the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concretes (SCCs). A total of 22 concrete mixtures were designed having a constant water/binder ratio of 0.32 and total binder content of 550 kg/m³. The control mixture contained only portland cement (PC) as the binder while the remaining mixtures incorporated binary, ternary, and quaternary cementitious blends of PC, fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), and silica fume (SF). After mixing, the fresh properties of the concretes were tested for slump flow time, L-box height ratio, V-funnel flow time, setting time, and viscosity. Moreover, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and electrical resistivity of the hardened concretes were measured. Test results have revealed that incorporating the mineral admixtures improved the fresh properties and rheology of the concrete mixtures. The compressive strength and electrical resistivity of the concretes with SF and GGBFS were much higher than those of the control concrete.     

Effect of prewetting methods on some fresh and hardened properties of concrete with pumice aggregate

One of the major problems in lightweight aggregate concrete production is the high water absorption characteristic of the aggregates due to their porous structure. This problem is usually overcome by prewetting the lightweight aggregates or increasing the amount of mixing water. Since aggregate prewetting methods significantly affect fresh and hardened lightweight concrete properties, it is important to take this into account before the concrete production process.This study is focused on the effects of three prewetting methods on some fresh and hardened properties of pumice lightweight concrete. Pre-soaking, water-soaking and vacuum-soaking methods were applied to pumice lightweight aggregate prior to mixing. Test results showed that fresh and hardened properties of concretes with vacuum-soaked and water-soaked lightweight aggregate were significantly better than that of concretes with pre-soaked lightweight aggregate. Vacuum-soaking and water-soaking of pumice aggregate improved workability, compressive strength and drying shrinkage of pumice lightweight concrete.     

Transport and mechanical properties of self consolidating concrete with high volume fly ash

This paper presents the transport and mechanical properties of self consolidating concrete that contain high percentages of low-lime and high-lime fly ash (FA). Self consolidating concretes (SCC) containing five different contents of high-lime FA and low-lime FA as a replacement of cement (30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 by weight of total cementitious material) are examined. For comparison, a control SCC mixture without any FA was also produced. The fresh properties of the SCCs were observed through, slump flow time and diameter, V-funnel flow time, L-box height ratio, and segregation ratio. The hardened properties included the compressive strength, split tensile strength, drying shrinkage and transport properties (absorption, sorptivity and rapid chloride permeability tests) up to 365 days. Test results confirm that it is possible to produce SCC with a 70% of cement replacement by both types of FA. The use of high volumes of FA in SCC not only improved the workability and transport properties but also made it possible to produce concretes between 33 and 40 MPa compressive strength at 28 days, which exceeds the nominal compressive strength for normal concrete (30 MPa).     

The effect of chemical admixtures and mineral additives on the properties of self-compacting mortars

Mortar serves as the basis for the workability properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and these properties could be assessed by self-compacting mortars (SCM). In fact, assessing the properties of SCM is an integral part of SCC design. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various mineral additives and chemical admixtures in producing SCMs. For this purpose, four mineral additives (fly ash, brick powder, limestone powder, and kaolinite), three superplasticizers (SP), and two viscosity modifying admixtures (VMA) were used. Within the scope of the experimental program, 43 mixtures of SCM were prepared keeping the amount of mixing water and total powder content (portland cement and mineral additives) constant. Workability of the fresh mortar was determined using mini V-funnel and mini slump flow tests. The setting time of the mortars, were also determined. The hardened properties that were determined included ultrasonic pulse velocity and strength determined at 28 and 56 days. It was concluded that among the mineral additives used, fly ash and limestone powder significantly increased the workability of SCMs. On the other hand, especially fly ash significantly increased the setting time of the mortars, which can, however, be eliminated through the use of ternary mixtures, such as mixing fly ash with limestone powder. The two polycarboxyl based SPs yield approximately the same workability and the melamine formaldehyde based SP was not as effective as the other two.     

SCC modification by use of amorphous nano-silica

In this study two different types of nano-silica (nS) were applied in self-compacting concrete (SCC), both having similar particle size distributions (PSD), but produced through two different processes: fumed powder silica and precipitated silica in colloidal suspension. The influence of nano-silica on SCC was investigated with respect to the properties of concrete in fresh (workability) and hardened state (mechanical properties and durability). Additionally, the densification of the microstructure of the hardened concrete was verified by SEM and EDS analyses. The obtained results demonstrate that nano-silica efficiently used in SCC can improve its mechanical properties and durability. Considering the reactivity of the two applied nano-silicas, the colloidal type showed a higher reactivity at early age, which influenced the final SCC properties.     

Self compacting concrete from uncontrolled burning of rice husk and blended fine aggregate

This paper presents an experimental study on the development of normal strength Self compacting concrete (SCC) from uncontrolled burning of rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial replacement to cement and blended fine aggregate whilst maintaining satisfactory properties of SCC. Experiments on the fresh and hardened state properties have been carried out on RHA based SCC from uncontrolled burning. The dosages of RHA are limited to 0%, 20%, 30% and 40% by mass of the total cementitious material in the concrete. The experiments on fresh state properties investigate the filling ability, the passing ability and the segregation resistance of concrete. The experiments on hardened state properties investigate the compressive and the splitting tensile strengths. The water absorption level of the concrete with changing RHA levels has also been monitored. The experimental studies indicate that RHA based SCC developed from uncontrolled burning has a significant potential for use when normal strength is desired.     

Relationships between fibre distribution, workability and the mechanical properties of SFRC applied to precast roof elements

A series of 40 precast prestressed roof elements was cast, employing a self-compacting steel fibre reinforced concrete (SCSFRC). They are being used in an industrial building. The fibre distribution within the roof elements was investigated by means of a suitable test procedure and correlated with results obtained from cube samples drawn from the batches and tested in the fresh state. Companion slabs were also cast and tested under four point bending, in order to study the correlation between fibre distribution and the mechanical properties of the composite. The work presented here analyses the correlation between fibre distribution, workability and mechanical properties of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) with the aim of optimising both its fresh- and hardened-state properties for a series production of precast SFRC roof elements.     

Linking fresh and durability properties of paste to SCC mortar

In the last years many approaches to design SCC have been developed, but it remains a very complex process since it is necessary to manipulate several variables and understand their effects on concrete behaviour (fresh and hardened state). The prediction of concrete or mortar behaviour based on paste properties will be a significant contribution to simplify SCC design. With this purpose, two statistical experimental designs were carried out, one at paste level and the other at mortar level, to mathematically model the influence of mixture parameters on fresh and durability properties. The derived numerical models were used to define an area, labelled by self-compacting zone at paste level (SCZ), where fresh properties of the paste enable the design of SCC mortar. Furthermore, in order to extend this link to durability properties, the effect of including aggregate in cement paste was evaluated by means of the electrical resistivity test.     

The durability properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced fly ash concrete

This paper reports of a comprehensive study on the durability properties of concrete containing polypropylene fiber and fly ash. Properties studied include unit weight and workability of fresh concrete, and compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, porosity, water absorption, sorptivity coefficient, drying shrinkage and freeze–thaw resistance of hardened concrete. Fly ash content used in concrete mixture was 0%, 15% and 30% in mass basis, and fiber volume fraction was 0%, 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.20% in volume basis.     

An empirical approach for the optimisation of aggregate combinations for self-compacting concrete

The fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) depend on number of factors such as paste composition, paste content, aggregate content, aggregate gradation etc. In the present investigation, the influence of the packing density of aggregates on the properties of SCC was evaluated. Experiments were conducted to measure the packing density for different combinations of aggregates precisely. A ternary packing diagram (TPD) was developed based on the packing density of measured and interpolated data. Considering the limitations in generalising the TPD and the difficulty involved in adopting mathematical models for aggregates, an attempt was made to establish a simple method for the selection of the combination of aggregates resulting in maximum packing density from the particle size distribution of aggregates (represented by the Coefficient of uniformity??C _u). Further, studies were extended to investigate the effect of aggregate packing density on fresh and hardened SCC properties. The results indicate that for a constant paste volume and paste composition, with increase in packing density of aggregates, the fresh properties and the compressive strength of SCC were improved positively. An attempt was also made to identify the influence of 10 different proportions of aggregates having the same packing density on the properties of SCC. The results indicate that at the same aggregate packing density, the fresh concrete properties were influenced significantly by the choice of the aggregate combination, while there was little or no influence on the hardened properties. Furthermore, the experimental data obtained was used for supplementary validation of the existing model (compressible packing model) for predicting the packing density and the fresh behaviour of SCC.     

Effect of mix design on restrained shrinkage of self-consolidating concrete

This paper presents test results carried out to evaluate the potential due to restrained shrinkage cracking of self-consolidating concrete (SCC). The mix design approach and binder type of the SCC are shown to have considerable influence on cracking potential. Mixtures made with 0.42 w/cm and incorporating viscosity-enhancing admixture (VEA) to ensure proper stability exhibited approximately 25–35% longer time before cracking than SCC prepared with 0.35 w/cm and no VEA. The former concrete design had lower elastic modulus at 3 days when the drying shrinkage was initiated and hence greater stress relaxation. This was reflected in greater tensile creep coefficient which reduces tensile stress due to restrained shrinkage. The SCC made with 0.42 w/cm exhibited slightly higher drying shrinkage after 56 days of drying compared to similar concrete prepared with 0.35 w/cm. In general, the tested SCC mixtures had higher cracking potential than the reference high-performance and conventional concretes. This may be due to the higher paste volume of SCC that resulted in greater drying shrinkage. Mixtures with 670 mm slump flow consistency and 180 mm slump values of the same mix design had similar elapsed times before cracking of 6.3 and 5.6 days, respectively.     

The influences of admixtures on the dispersion, workability, and strength of carbon nanotube-OPC paste mixtures

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have excellent mechanical properties and have the potential, if combined with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), traditionally a brittle material in tension, to become a nano-composite with superlative mechanical properties. However, highly attractive van der Waals forces between CNTs create coherent agglomerates that prove difficult to disperse within the cement matrix and reduce the fluidity of the fresh mixture. Good dispersion of CNTs, while maintaining good workability of fresh OPC-CNT paste mixtures, is a prequalification before CNT-cement nanocomposites can be considered as a future building and construction material with enhanced mechanical properties. This paper reports the results of investigations of the dispersion, workability, and strength of CNT aqueous and CNT-OPC paste mixtures, with and without several generically different dispersants/surfactants that are compatible as admixtures in the manufacture of concrete. These include an air entrainer, styrene butadiene rubber, polycarboxylates, calcium naphthalene sulfonate, and lignosulfonate formulations. Aqueous mixtures were initially assessed for dispersion of CNTs, followed by workability testing of selected OPC-CNT-dispersant/surfactant paste mixtures. A broad range of workability responses were measured and the CNT dispersion within hardened pastes was qualitatively assessed by SEM analysis.