Measurement 147 (2019) 106846

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Measurement
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/measurement

Effect of perlite powder and silica fume on the compressive strength

and microstructural characterization of self-compacting concrete with
lime-cement binder
J. Esfandiari ⇑, P. Loghmani
Department of Civil Engineering, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran

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

Article history: This study evaluated the short and long term mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC)
Received 11 July 2016 with a lime-cement binder, silica fume (SF), perlite powder (PP), and silica fume-perlite powder mixture
Received in revised form 26 April 2019 (SF-PP) as additives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different amounts of
Accepted 18 July 2019
additives on the fresh and mechanical properties of SCC. Also in this research cement-lime binder was
Available online 26 July 2019
replaced by SF, PP, and SF-PP at 0%, 5%, 10% 15%, and 20%, respectively. The optimum percentage was
17% for SF, 6% for PP and 6% for SF-PP on 28th and 90th days to obtain maximum compressive strength.
Keywords:
The results showed that water absorption, dry density, of the 28-days compressive strength increased
Self-compacting concrete
Microstructural characterization
with an increase in silica fume (SF) content. The contents of PP and SF-PP replacement also influenced
Perlite the resulting SCC, but the latter had a better effect on the concrete. The highest compressive strength
Silica fume of SCC was observed at 17%, 6%, and 6% for SF, PP and SF-PP, respectively (on days 90). When 10% lime
Lime powder powder was added instead of cement, the optimum usage of SF dropped to below 20%. The optimum
Water absorption usage of SF for normal concrete is above 20%.
Compressive strength Ó 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Over the last four decades, many studies have been done about
Self-compacting concrete in many countries. Self-compacting con-
crete (SCC) has been recognized as one of the most practical con-
crete in concrete industry.
Self-compacting concrete or SCC is a concrete with excellent
flows ability and flows under its own weight in to formwork, molds
with having different shapes and even reinforcement with tight
spaces or in complicated shapes [1]. It has excellent workability,
durability and good mechanical specifications without the need
for vibration. This kind of concrete first developed in japan [2].
SCC mixes demonstrate higher values in compressive strengths
as compared with normal concrete. The gain in compressive
strength is about 60% as compared with normal concrete of resem-
bling degree [3]. Absolutely, these characteristics are due to the
existence of super plasticizer additive that reduces the water con-
tent at high range, mineral admixture, and high range of fine aggre-
gate content (about double than coarse aggregate) of the SCC
concretes [4,5].
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: j.esfandiari@iauksh.ac.ir (J. Esfandiari).
The cement industry produces about 5–8% of the total global
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that created with human. Because
of this fact cement is a bad material with respect to the environ-
ment [6].
Because of global warming, environmentally-friendly concretes
have earned a great deal of attention, in terms of research and
development. To produce cement, fossil fuels are used as fuel for
its production, that emission huge amount of CO2 in to the atmo-
sphere. Nowadays, the cement industry is working to reduce CO2
effect by creating blended cement with supplementary cementi-
tious materials (SCMs) [7].
SCMs are classified into artificial such as slag and silica fume,
and substances natural such as fly ash and perlite. Natural poz-
zolan are the products of volcanic materials [8]. Sediments such
as clay, shale, pumice, kaolinite, volcanic glass, rhyolite, zeolite,
diatomite, and volcanic ash [9,10]. Some types of natural poz-
zolans, such as perlite is produced from the rapid cooling of vol-
canic magma [11].
Perlite is volcanic glasses which exhibit numerous concentric
cracks so that when fragmented, the pieces vaguely resemble
pearls. Some contain high water content and expand when heated
[12]. Perlite is derived from pumice, that is, a glassy form of rhyo-
lites magma that contains slightly water content [13]. When per-
lite is heated at temperature about 900 °C, it expands and

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2019.07.074
0263-2241/Ó 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846
transform to aggregates with a bulk density of 30–240 kg/m3. Per-
lite has about 80% glass phase [14]. Expanded perlite aggregate
(EPA) is a porous material and exhibits pozzolanic activity similar
to Portland cement. Perlite replacement of Portland cement has
improved the thermal conductivity of concrete [15]. Moreover,
perlite is referred to as a pozzolan, due to its glassy structure and
high SiO2 and Al2O3 contents. A high fringe temperature may have
an influence on the pozzolanic reactivity of the aggregate (fringe
temperature of approximately 1200 °C or above that of EPA manu-
factured at this temperature) [16–19]. Expanded perlite or perlite
powder can be used in concrete like aggregate or cementitious
materials as an additive to or replacement in the concrete industry.
Silica fume (SF) is a pozzolanic material that is produced during
silicon smelting process. It is used to produce silicon metal and fer-
rosilicon alloys which have a high content of silicon dioxide. Silica
fume is cement-like material can be used to producing high-
strength concrete. SF is an additive material to improve the con-
crete specifications in both fresh and hardened states, and it is used
as a cement replacement usually for economic reasons [20,21].
Because of the extremely high surface area and amorphous nature
of the silica fume, it is used in the binder system for the improve-
ment of thermal conductivity [22,23].
Limestone powder (LP) is usually used as a filler in the case of
self-compacting concrete SCC. Aggregates like silica can react with
lime powder, leading to the formation of reaction rims at the edge
of the grains and recrystallization along the pre-existing cracks in
the grains with calcium silicate hydrates C-S-H formations that
improve the concrete strength [24–26].
The reaction of silica fume with lime is very rapid, that caused
form a high silica hydrated layer. This layer is unstable and rapidly
turns into calcium silicate hydrate C-S-H gel. Due to the high reac-
tivity of silica fume particles, the free lime disappears between 7
and 28 days of the curing period. The C-S-H gel formed in this reac-
tion is much more crystalline than the C-S-H gel formed by the
hydration of PC [27,28]. Effects of silica fume content at 0, 6, 10,
and 15% on the compressive strength of concrete. On Day 28, the
best used content silica fume in concrete was found to be 21%
stronger than the control mix; however, the compressive strength
development was continuing since age of 400 days [29]. The effect
of silica fume on the compressive strength of concrete made with
low quality coarse aggregates such as dolomite, limestone and
etc. is investigated. Compressive strength increased for all speci-
mens. After 180 days of curing, the highest compressive strength
was 54 MPa for specimens with 15% silica fume [30]. An experi-
mental study on DSCC using different cement replacement materi-
als was carried out by Nuruddin et al. [31]. More than 20% of the
cement in the DSCC was replaced by specific ratios by microwave
incinerated rice husk ash (MIRHA), silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA).
The results showed that DSCC replaced by 10% FA and 10% MIRHA
achieved the highest compressive strength without sacrificing its
self-compacting ability. The preparation of SCC with silicon carbide
waste (SCW) was evaluated by Ren et al. [32] as an alternative
viscosity-modifying agent. The results show that SCW increased
the viscosity, filling and passing ability, segregation resistance, fol-
lowability and retention of SCC at specific replacement ratios,
although the superplasticizer demand increased. Strength, drying
shrinkage, water absorption and chloride permeability also are clo-
sely related to the SCW content.
In the present study, the effect of silica fume and powder perlite
additives on the compressive strength of self-compacting concrete
with cement-lime binder mixture was investigated at various mix
ratios. Simultaneous use of both lime powder and silica fume
transforms simple concrete to better concrete with long term spec-
ification. Moreover, adding lime powder makes concrete water
resistance. On the other hand, the use of lime powder has better
effects than cement on environment because the production of
cement from lime stone requires huge amount of fuel which pol-
lutes the nature with poisonous gases. The mixture of lime powder
and silica acts better than normal cement in long term this is
because lime powder produces more CH gel for the production of
C-S-H gel. C-S-H gel is the main factor of cement resistance. Once
a part of cement is replaced with lime powder, the production cost
of cements decreases.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Experimental program
The experimental program is centered on investigating the
compressive strengths of concrete specimens containing silica
fume, perlite powder, and lime powder. The cubes with dimension
100  100  100 mm were cast to measure their densities, com-
pressive strengths in accordance with BS 1881-116 [33], water
absorptions and microstructure.
Moreover, in this study, the cube strength was determined by
testing three cubes cast from the same fresh concrete and taking
the average strength of the three cubes as the strength result. It
is quite certain that the strength results are accurate to lower
errors.
2.2. Materials
The materials used in this study were Portland cement, silica
fume (SF), perlite powder (PP), lime powder (LP), super plasticizer
(SP), and coarse and fine aggregates. Ordinary Portland cement
(OPC) of ASTM C150 [34] Type I was used. The Silica fume, obtained
from Azna Ferro-Silicon alloy manufacture Lorestan, Iran was the
powder type with 94.50% SiO2, average particle size of 0.1 mm,
specific gravity of 2.0, and a specific surface area of 22500 m2/kg.
The perlite was obtained from Tabriz mine, Iran and 100% of it
passed through 60 or 0.25 mm sieve. The lime powder, obtained
from a Kermanshah limestone mine, 100% was passed through
80 or 0.177 mm sieve. Fresh drinking water of Sahneh city. The
poly carboxylate ether type super plasticizer was compatible with
ASTM C 494 TYPE F. Finally, the aggregates were silica gravel and
medium sand, obtained from the Gamasiab River of Kermanshah,
Iran. The maximum size of the coarse aggregates was 17 mm. they
had a fineness modulus of 2.80 and an apparent specific gravity of
2.64 g/cm3. Water absorption of coarse aggregates was 2.2 and fine
aggregates were 2.6%.
The chemical compositions and physical properties of the mate-
rials are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Photos of materials and speci-
mens used in this study are shown in Figs. 1–3.
2.3. Preparation of mixes
The details of mixes of the study are shown in Table 3. The
super plasticizer was a naphthalene type and a high water-
reducing admixture, capable of reducing about 20% of the water
in concrete. The mixes consisted of 350–450 kg/m3 of combined
Portland cement-lime powder (PC-LP), with replacement of 0, 5,
10, 15 and 20% by weight of PC-LP, SF, PP, and combination of
SF-PP. PC-LP composes from 90% Portland cement and 10% lime
powder in all samples.
The concrete mixes used in this study workability obtained for
all specimens by concrete slump-flow test. The first four mixes –S1,
S2, S3, and S4– were also considered as the controls (PC C, PC-LP C,
PC(SP) C and PC-LP(SP) C).
 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846 3

Table 1
Chemical compositions of Portland cement and mineral admixtures.

Oxide composition Ordinary Portland Silica Fume Perlite Lime Powder

Cement (OPC), % (SF), % (PP), % (LP), %
SiO2 19.80 94.50 73.16 4.00
Fe2O3 3.10 0.70 0.88 0.30
CaO 63.40 0.80 0.85 51.40
MgO 2.50 1.25 0.00 1.30
Al2O3 5.10 0.88 12.87 0.77
SO3 2.40 0.00 0.29 0.10
K2O 1.00 0.00 4.76 0.02
Na2O 0.19 0.00 2.35 0.01
LOI (Loss on ignition) 1.80 0.75 2.58 42.00

Table 2 2.4. Mixing and casting

Physical properties of Portland cement and mineral admixtures.
Type of material
Type I Portland cement (OPC)
Silica Fume (SF)
Perlite Powder (PP)
Super plasticizer (SP)
The concrete mixes were prepared using a drum mixer of
Density (kg/m3) Specific surface
area (m2/kg) 0.03 m3 capacity. The interior of the drum was initially sprayed
with water in order to moisten it. Water and the super plasticizer
3150 300.00
2200 22500.00 were blended first, followed by cement and lime powder, which
200–240 2000.00 were first mixed together before they were added. SF and/or PP
121 – were added and further blended before putting the whole binder
mix aside. Before the aggregates were put into the drum mixer, a
mixture of 50% gravel (maximum size 17 mm) and 50% sand
(1050 g of each one) was surface saturated with water, then
poured into the drum and mixed for about 1 min. The binder mix
was then added and blended together with the aggregates for
2 min. Finally, water and the super plasticizer were added and
blended for another 4 min. The mix was poured into cubic molds
for casting and allowed to compact by self-weight.

2.5. Curing

Six hours after cast the concrete, because water of concrete

evaporate and cracks is appear on surface of concrete the speci-
mens were covered with nylon and maintained at a temperature
24 °C for 24 h, then put them in the basin for 7 days, in this stage
water of hydration supply from basin. All samples were cured in
pure water for curing.
On Day 8, the specimens were takes out of the mold, labeled
according to the specifications and material and waiting for tests.
Some of them dry in air, and someone dry in oven at 110 °C for
Fig. 1. Silica fume used in this investigation.
density and water absorption tests.

3. Results and discussion

The results of the present study are shown in Tables 4–6 and
Figs. 4–10. The performance of the PC-LP mixes developed in this
research was evaluated based on the density, dry unit weight,
water absorption, and compressive strength of each specimen.

3.1. Dry and fresh property

The dry unit weight of hardened concrete decreased with

Fig. 2. Perlite powder used in this investigation.
increasing PP content (as shown in Table 4), due to the relatively
lower specific gravity of PP. The expanded perlite aggregate
(EPA) has been used in light weight concrete [16]. The dry unit
weight of 28-days concrete decreased with increasing expanded
perlite, because the specific gravity of perlite was lower than the
ordinary aggregates [35].
In the present study, the use of PP increased the water demand
of the mixes. The SF content on the other hand, generally increased
the dry unit weight of the concrete. Moreover, the use of SF and PP
also increased the super plasticizer demand of the mixes in order
to maintain constant water demand.
4 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846

Fig. 3. Control specimens (OPC and Portland cement-lime powder).

Table 3
Proportions for mixes.

Mix Mix Name (or Material (g)

No. replacement %)
Portland Cement Lime Powder Silica Fume Perlite Powder Coarse/fine Super-plasticizer Water Water/
(PC) (LP) (SF) (PP) aggregate (SP) Binder
(grams)
S1 PC C1 450 0 0 0 1050/1050 0 225 0.50
S2 PC-LP C2 405 45 0 0 1050/1050 0 270 0.60
S3 PC(SP) C3 450 0 0 0 1050/1050 9 182 0.40
S4 PC-LP(SP) C4 405 45 0 0 1050/1050 9 207 0.46
S5 SF5% 389 43 22.5 0 1050/1050 9 225 0.50
S6 SF10% 365 41 45 0 1050/1050 9 224 0.49
S7 SF15% 344 38 67.5 0 1050/1050 18 222 0.49
S8 SF20% 324 36 90 0 1050/1050 18 218 0.48
S9 PP5% 389 43 0 22.5 1050/1050 9 254 0.56
S10 PP10% 365 41 0 45 1050/1050 9 310 0.69
S11 PP15% 344 38 0 67.5 1050/1050 18 340 0.75
S12 PP20% 324 36 0 90 1050/1050 18 440 0.98
S13 SF5%-PP5% 389 43 22.5 22.5 1050/1050 9 282 0.59
S14 SF10%-PP10% 365 41 45 45 1050/1050 9 342 0.69
S15 SF15%-PP15% 344 38 67.5 67.5 1050/1050 18 388 0.75
S16 SF20%-PP20% 324 36 90 90 1050/1050 18 530 0.98
S17 SF16% 340 38 72 0 1050/1050 18 221 0.49
S18 SF17% 336 37 76.5 0 1050/1050 18 226 0.50
S19 SF18% 332 37 81 0 1050/1050 18 222 0.49
S20 SF19% 328 36 85.5 0 1050/1050 18 223 0.49
S21 PP6% 381 42 0 27 1050/1050 9 260 0.58
S22 PP7% 377 42 0 31.5 1050/1050 9 273 0.60
S23 PP8% 373 41 0 36 1050/1050 9 289 0.64
S24 PP9% 368 41 0 40.5 1050/1050 9 298 0.66
S25 SF6%-PP6% 381 42 27 27 1050/1050 9 289 0.60
S26 SF7%-PP7% 377 42 31.5 31.5 1050/1050 9 299 0.62
S27 SF8%-PP8% 373 41 36 36 1050/1050 9 317 0.65
S28 SF9%-PP9% 368 41 40.5 40.5 1050/1050 9 330 0.67
1
PC C: control specimen contains Portland cement without SP.
2
PC-LP C: control specimen contains Portland cement and lime powder without SP.
3
PC(SP) C: control specimen contains Portland cement and SP.
4
PC-LP(SP) C: control specimen contains Portland cement and lime powder and SP.

Similar workability about 593–769 obtained for all specimens
by concrete Slump-flow test.
Vertical motion taking between 1 and 3 sec and after taking,
measure largest diameter in two directions at 90° to nearest
10 mm. Take average to obtain Slump Flow.
The higher cement replacement by PP, the more water and SP
was needed to reach the suitable slump flow, because of high
surface area and large amount of pores in perlite structure, which
increased the water demand [36].
The slump flow decreased with increasing level of SF and PP for
all specimens except for 20 percent SP that loss. Mixtures of SP-PP
shown abnormal result, because until 10 percent the slump flow
increased then decreased. It seems existence of SP and combina-
tion with PP is reason of this decrease of slump (shown in Table 4).
 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846 5

Table 4
Density and water absorption capacity of self-compacting concrete.

Mix No. Mix name Density (kg/m3)

Fresh Air dry Oven dry Workability Loss of Loss of
after a week after 24 h (Average, mm) water in air, g water in oven, g
S1 PC C 2519 2411 2390 611 108 129
S2 PC-LP C 2487 2372 2355 593 115 132
S3 PC(SP) C 2502 2409 2384 658 93 118
S4 PC-LP(SP) C 2476 2385 2368 635 91 108
S5 SF5% 2504 2412 2380 692 92 124
S6 SF10% 2490 2400 2370 715 90 128
S7 SF15% 2531 2444 2391 769 87 140
S8 SF20% 2484 2394 2352 752 90 132
S9 PP5% 2495 2412 2358 693 83 137
S10 PP10% 2448 2375 2303 703 73 145
S11 PP15% 2428 2337 2276 721 91 152
S12 PP20% 2358 2200 2144 733 158 214
S13 SF5%-PP5% 2494 2423 2378 712 71 126
S14 SF10%-PP10% 2473 2403 2347 758 70 129
S15 SF15%-PP15% 2385 2301 2242 752 84 143
S16 SF20%-PP20% 2373 2221 2167 750 152 206
S17 SF16% 2520 2438 2398 – 82 122
S18 SF17% 2512 2439 2393 – 73 119
S19 SF18% 2499 2414 2363 – 85 136
S20 SF19% 2490 2426 2361 – 64 129
S21 P6% 2487 2404 2347 – 83 140
S22 P7% 2463 2395 2324 – 68 139
S23 P8% 2478 2381 2331 – 97 147
S24 P9% 2456 2386 2312 – 70 144
S25 SF6%-PP6% 2492 2416 2371 – 76 121
S26 SF7%-PP7% 2487 2420 2378 – 67 109
S27 SF8%-PP8% 2490 2411 2364 – 79 126
S28 SF9%-PP9% 2480 2407 2355 – 73 125

The slump flow loss, decreased with increasing levels of perlite
powder percentage for all mixtures [37].
The higher the cement replacement by SF and PP, the more SP
was needed to reach the sufficient slump flow, pores of PP and high
surface area of SF increased the water demand.
Replacement of OPC with PP might increasing water demand
and have to use SP for reduce water [8].
High surface area of silica fume particles increased the adsorp-
tion of super plasticizer, which then reduced the amount of water
on the surface of cement particles and, thus, decreased the fluidity
of the cementitious mixes [38]. The water absorption capacity of
the concretes is shown in Fig. 4.
3.2. Density
The densities of all the PC-LP mixes, such as fresh, air dried, and
oven dried, are shown in Table 4. Fig. 5 shows the dried densities of
the PC-LP mixes. The fresh densities of LP mixes were generally
lower than the densities of other mixes. The mixes containing silica
fume showed a density varying from 2484 to 2531 kg/m3. Since the
aggregates in the fresh state were completely saturated with
water, the fresh densities were considerably higher than the corre-
sponding air dry and oven dry densities. The air dry density shown
in Table 4 varied from 2352 to 2391 kg/m3. The densities of mixes
containing PP and SF-PP were lower than SF due to the low unit
weight of perlite.
3.3. Compressive strength
The average compressive strengths of the mixes at the age of 28
and 90 days are shown in Tables 5 and 6 and Figs. 6–10. The 28-
days compressive strength of SF concrete mixes was in the range
of 42.3–46.4 MPa and the 90-days compressive strength ranged
from 42.3 to 50.7 MPa. Also, the 28-days compressive strength of
PP concrete mixes was in the range of 3.3–32 MPa, while the
90-days compressive strength varied from 10.7 to 46.3 MPa. Silica
fume, perlite powder, and silica fume-perlite powder, at the opti-
mum percentage, generally increased the later-age compressive
strength.
When compressive strength decreased at 20% SF, must be mea-
sure another percentage of SF between 15 and 20% to find opti-
mum percent. For PP and SF-PP repeat this approach. The
optimum of compressive strength was achieved.
3.3.1. Mixes without lime powder
The highest compressive strength with 59.5 and 64.1 MPa at
ages of 28 and 90 days (C5 mix), had 20% SF, but lowest with
12.6 and 22.7 MPa at the ages of 28 and 90 days (C9 mix).
With the addition 5% SF, the compressive strength increased by
52% at 28 days, but this increment at 90 days was 28%. This indi-
cates that SF increases compressive strength at early age as com-
pared with older age. By comparing the ages of 28 and 90 days, it
was observed that development in compressive strength was
about 8%.
Increase in the compressive strength of concrete mixtures com-
prising SF was insignificant after 90 days [29].
Furthermore, 5 and 10% perlite powder caused the compressive
strength to be 15 and 8% higher than the control mix. However,
increase in PP above 10% resulted in the reduction of compressive
strength at 90 days of age. At 28 days, the mixes containing 15 and
20% PP decreased the compressive strength than the control mix.
By the addition of silica fume-perlite powder to mixes until 10%,
the compressive strength increased, and then decreased at 15 and
20%. Nevertheless, the compressive strength at 15% SF-PP
(0.1 MPa) was more than the control mix. The results are shown
in Table 6.
3.3.2. Mixes with lime powder
The maximum compressive strength for lime-cement binder
mixes was 52.2 MPa (S18 mix) at 90 days of age, which had 17%
6 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846

Table 5
Average compressive strength of mixes at 28 and 90 days of lime- cement concrete.

Mix no. Sample Compressive Compressive

strength strength
of 28 days (MPa) of 90 days (MPa)
S1 PC C 30.2 39.2
S2 PC-LP C 15.5 26.7
S3 PC(SP) C 32.9 42.4
S4 PC-LP(SP) C 17.1 28.8
S5 PC-LP-SF5% 42.3 42.3
S6 PC-LP-SF10% 45.4 48.5
S7 PC-LP-SF15% 46.4 50.7
S8 PC-LP-SF20% 45.3 48.6
S9 PC-LP-PP5% 32 46.3
S10 PC-LP-PP10% 28.1 40.9
S11 PC-LP-PP15% 18.2 30.8
S12 PC-LP-PP20% 3.3 10.7
S13 PC-LP-SF5%-PP5% 35.2 45.8
Fig. 4. Effect of SF, PP, SF-PP on water absorption capacity of SCC.
S14 PC-LP-SF10&PP10% 34.9 40.2
S15 PC-LP-SF15&PP15% 21.6 30
S16 PC-LP-SF20&PP20% 10.9 17.5
S17 PC-LP-SF16% 46.7 51.3
S18 PC-LP-SF17% 46.1 52.2
S19 PC-LP-SF18% 45.6 52.1
S20 PC-LP-SF19% 47.4 49.7
S21 PC-LP-PP6% 33 47.2
S22 PC-LP-PP7% 31.1 44.5
S23 PC-LP-PP8% 30.1 42.8
S24 PC-LP-PP9% 30.9 40.3
S25 PC-LP-SF6&PP6% 35.4 46.2
S26 PC-LP-SF7&PP7% 36.7 44
S27 PC-LP-SF8&PP8% 36.4 42.4
S28 PC-LP-SF9&PP9% 37.2 41.8

Fig. 5. Effect of SF, PP, SF-PP on dry density of SCC.

Table 6
Average compressive strength of mixes at 28 and 90 days of ordinary cement
concrete.

Co Sample (without Compressive strength Compressive strength

Mix lime powder) of 28 days (MPa) of 90 days (MPa) There was a systematic increase in compressive strength with
No. increase in SF content until 17% replacement and then reduced
C1 PC-5%SF 50.1 54.3 after 90 days, as shown in Fig. 6. The compressive strengths were
C2 PC-10%SF 54.3 57.5 51.3 and 52.2 MPa for the 16 and 17% SF replacement, respectively
C3 PC-15%SF 58 62.9
but reduced to 52.1 and 49.7 MPa for the 18 and 19% SF replace-
C4 PC-20%SF 59.5 64.1
C5 PC-5%PP 37.7 48.9 ment. The present study showed that the optimum SF replacement
C6 PC-10%PP 34.8 45.6 at 90 days was 17% for S18 mix, which produced a compressive
C7 PC-15%PP 27.1 37.8 strength of 81% higher than the control. At 28-days, the compres-
C8 PC-20%PP 12.6 22.7
sive strength was 177% higher than the control for the 19% SF
C9 PC-5%SF&PP 43.5 50.1
C10 PC-10%SF&PP 44.9 51.2 replacement mix.
C11 PC-15%SF&PP 33.7 42.6 Maximum compressive strengths of high performance con-
C12 PC-20%SF&PP 18.7 24.8 cretes were found to be 91 MPa using 15% SF replacements [41].
At 28 days, concrete containing silica fume was 21% stronger than
the control concrete [29]. Pozzolanic materials were added as a
SF. Also, the lowest compressive strength at 3.3 MPa was obtained substitution of limestone powder. All of pozzolans improves the
by the S12 mix at 28 days of age and had 20% PP. compressive strength. Highest increasing compressive strength
Silica fume also increased the 28 days compressive strength was observed in SF mixture in short and long-term [42].
from 17.1 MPa for the control to 42.3, 45.5, 46.4 and 45.3 MPa The 5% PP mix improved the 28 day compressive strength from
for the 5, 10, 15 and 20% SF mixes, respectively. The 90 days com- 17.1 MPa for the control mix (S4) to 32 MPa (S5). However, the 20%
pressive strengths were greater than the 28 days strengths. PP mix caused a 19% reduction in 28 days compressive strength,
Mix S7 and S8, which were 7 and 9% SF mixes, had higher which could be related to the higher void content in the concrete.
90 days compressive strengths as compared with the 28 days The replacement of cement with 5, 10 and 15% PP increased the
strength of about 9% which was not significant. This indicates that 28-days compressive strength from 17.1 MPa for the control to 32,
the SF quickly increased the compressive strength. The results are 28.1 and 18.2 MPa [20]. But the 20% PP replacement reduced the
shown in Table 5. strength as compared with the control. Note also that for PP
Mixes containing silica fume achieved higher strength than the replacement mixes of S9 and S10, the 90 days strengths were 45
control mixture after 7 days [39]. and 46% stronger than the 28 days strength, respectively.
By addition SF in concrete early strength could be better. The PP replacement of cement had low strengths at early ages as
discrepancy in strength at Portland Cement (PC) concrete and SF compared with normal PC mixes [43]. However, with time, the
concrete can be related by the quick formation of layer of calcium strengths were recovered as a result of the process of pozzolanic
hydroxide in SF concrete [40]. reactions.
 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846 7

Silica fume
60
50

strengh, MPa
compressive
40
30
20
10
0
PC-
PC- PC(S SF5 SF10 SF15 SF16 SF17 SF18 SF19 SF20
PC CLP(S
LP C P) C % % % % % % % %
P) C
28 days 30.2 15.5 32.9 17.1 42.3 45.4 46.4 46.7 46.1 45.6 47.4 45.3
90 days 39.2 26.7 42.4 28.8 42.3 48.5 50.7 51.3 52.2 52.1 49.7 48.6

Fig. 6. Effect of silica fume on the compressive behavior of SCC (28, 90 days).

Perlite powder
50
45
40
strengh, MPa
compressive

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
PC-
PC- PC(S PP5 PP6 PP7 PP8 PP9 PP10 PP15 PP20
PC CLP(S
LP C P) C % % % % % % % %
P) C
28 days 30.2 15.5 32.9 17.1 32 33 31.1 30.1 30.9 25.1 11.2 3.3
90 days 39.2 26.7 42.4 28.8 46.3 47.2 44.5 42.8 40.3 33.9 20.8 10.7

Fig. 7. Effect of Perlite powder on the compressive behavior of SCC (28, 90 days).

Fig. 9. Comparative effects of SF, PP, and SF-PP on compressive strength at 28 days.

sample; however, at 91 days, the compressive strength of most of

Fig. 8. Effect of silica fume-perlite powder on the compressive behavior of SCC (28,
90 days).
In this study, the optimum content of PP was achieved in S21
mix with 6% PP replacement obtaining 33 and 47.2 MPa strengths
at 28 and 90 days, respectively.
Optimal PP dosage was determined on the basis of 28 days com-
pressive strength [44].
Optimum ratio of PP to mineral admixture was 15% for the
highest compressive strength at age of 28 days as compared with
the standard compressive strength [17].
The compressive strengths were decreased as the perlite con-
tents increased during the initial days compared to the control
the mixtures was higher than the control sample [37].
Compressive strength and pozzolanic reaction in concrete
increased with passage of time. During the early curing period,
the pozzolanic reaction of mineral additives was minimal. With
passage of time, allotment of pozzolanic reaction of PP in concrete
strength was increased. Accordingly, curing time is a consequential
factor on the pozzolanic reaction of mineral admixtures for
concrete.
The 5, 10, and 15% SF-PP replacement mixes increased the com-
pressive strengths at 28 days, but the 20% replacement mix had a
compressive strength lower than the corresponding control. The
highest 28 days compressive strength of 37.2 MPa of SF-PP replace-
ment mix was achieved for the S28 mix which was 9% SF-PP
8 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846
Fig. 10. Comparative effects of SF, PP, and SF-PP on compressive strength at
90 days.
replacement. The lowest 28 days compressive strength at 10.9 MPa
was obtained for S16 mix which was 20% SF-PP replacement.
The result of the cement control sample and as compared with
cement-lime control specimen by 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% SF showed
that in mixes without lime, the compressive strength of samples
with 5–20% SF increased continuously. This increment indicates
that the optimum content of silica fume derived was more than
20% by mass of cement, but with the addition of only 10% lime
powder instead of cement by mass, the optimum usage of SF
dropped below 20% (exactly 17%). By using lime powder instead
of cement, the costs of concrete and environmental problems were
reduced. Also, with the addition of PP to mixture containing lime,
the optimum usage of PP was not alternated as compared with
mixture without lime powder, in which optimum PP was 5%. Thus,
with lime addition, the PP content increased to 6% which was
insignificant. This indicates that lime powder increases the per-
centage of PP. According to Table 5 Super plasticizer addition
increased the strength values for control specimen because of the
decrease in water/binder ratio. Super plasticizer addition is useful
for the increase strength of the blended mixture [45].
Finally, the best percentage of SF, PP and SF-PP is 15–17% SF for
use in concrete to get best compressive strength at 28 and 90 days.
Fig. 11. SCC control sample (PC C and PC-LP C) at 90 days.
3.4. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of SCC
The use of electron microscope provided more data on the
microstructure of SCC and determined the effects of lime stone
and mineral admixture on CH and C-S-H gel. It also showed how
microscope cracks caused by pores began.
The diameter of specimens was 4 mm and the specimens were
irregular with rough surface.
SEM images of mixture at the ages of 90 days are shown in
Figs. 11 and 12.
The SEM image, showing the C-S-H gel of the control sample of
cement and lime concrete, is demonstrated in Fig. 11. In shape (a)
of Fig. 11, it can be observed that the C-S-H gel of the cement con-
trol sample is lower than the C-S-H gel of sample (b) with lime
concrete. Due to the existence of lime powder, the C-S-H gel can
be improved as compared with cement concrete. Initially, lime
powder made CH gel manufactured from the carbonation of lime
existing in the cement powder and lime powder was added to
the Portland cement.
The voids were formed in place of fibers. The C-S-H gel formed
around it to adhesive different parts of concrete [46].
The hydration continuously consumed Ca(OH)2. Hence there
was only a little amount of Ca(OH)2 left in paste [47].
High SF addition improves the expansive phase formation of
Ettringite and causes a decrease in the strength synchronized
developing Ettringite crystals. Then CH gel when combined with
mineral admixture such as SF and PP, transformed into C-S-H gel
which poses major effect on the strength of concrete, but PP has
lower reactive during the C-S-H gel formation than SF. Strength
loss due to the Ettringite development was also indicated by for-
mer researcher [48].
SF addition to the fly ash–lime–gypsum mixture was useful for
the improvement of the formation of cellular C-S-H structures.
However, optimized SF addition should be prevention of the
strength reduction due to the expansive crystalline phase forma-
tions such as Ettringite [45].
Fig. 12 shows the SEM image of SCC containing silica fume.
Fig. 12(c) show that the dense composition and low porosity in
the concrete is as a result of the effect of SF gel. In this study, fume
gel was able to improve the C-S-H gel of cement. The micro crack
 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846
Micro
crack
Micro void
C-S-H
Fig. 12. SCC with 15% SF at 90 days.
Fig. 13. SCC with 20% PP at 90 days.
began from the micro void in the concrete and this shows that no
matter what the porosity turns out to be, the compressive strength
will decrease further. C-S-H filled in pores of the paste. Fig. 12(d
and e) shows numerous SF particles that were not completely
hydrated due to lack of sufficient cement and water for the initia-
tion of hydration. However, when the SF was present in the con-
crete, the CH gel transformed into C-S-H gel. This transformation
is shown in Fig. 12 (d and e).
Reaction of silica fume with lime and found it to be very rapid,
causing the phase which involves precipitated of the silicon diox-
ide particles to form a high silica hydrated layer. The formed layer
is unstable and rapidly turns into calcium silicate hydrate C-S-H
gel [27].
This result didn’t mean that the same amount of SF and PP get
same kind of C-S-H in all samples contained SF or SF-PP. also curing
condition, amount of CH gel composed from lime powder can influ-
enced on form C-S-H to gained compressive strength. Decrease
compressive strength in the sample of PP and SF-PP is due to high
porosity and layer structural of PP in the composition. This infor-
mation is shown in Fig. 13.
High PP used in concrete caused form many layers of Perlite.
When layers of PP gather in concrete, lack of sufficient splicer
9
CH
Silica fume
C-S-H
caused the bonds became weak between this layer and other part
of concrete like cement, lime binder and aggregates, eventually
slide these layers with lowest pressure in concrete (Fig. 13-f).
In shape (g) of Fig. 13, it can be observed that the C-S-H gel of
the PP sample with 20% replacement was low to stick the layers
of PP to gain enough strength (white circle). Because of exist many
layers of PP rather than C-S-H crystals, C-S-H couldn’t attach other
parts in many section of specimen (red circles), and consequently it
has lowest compressive strength after 28 and 90 days.
4. Conclusions
Base on the findings of the present study, the following conclu-
sions were drawn:
For the SF replacement concrete, the compressive strength
increased until the 17% replacement and at 90 days achieved the
maximum compressive strength of 52.2 MPa. The lowest compres-
sive strength recorded for the SF replacement mixes in this study
was 42.3 MPa.
The replacement of cement with 19% SF for the SCC caused
about 81% increase in compressive strength. The addition of 6%
10 J. Esfandiari, P. Loghmani / Measurement 147 (2019) 106846
SF and 6% PP caused a considerable increase in compressive
strength.
The compressive strength of PP replacement concrete was
lower than those of SF and SF-PP replacement concrete for all
mixes at both 28 and 90 days.
The inclusion of PP at high replacement levels significantly
increased the water absorption capacity due to its porosity and
ability to absorb water similar to fine porous aggregate.
Replacement with SF-PP increased the compressive strength of
5 and 15% replacement mixes between 4 and 59%, but decreased
for the 20% replacement mix.
Replacement by PP instead of SF increased the water absorption
capacity, but decreased the dry density.
With the addition of only 10% lime powder instead of cement by
mass, the optimum usage of SF dropped below 20% (optimum con-
tent for standard concrete is above 20%).
The SEM images showed that with the addition lime powder,
the C-S-H gel improved better than the ordinary cement concrete.
The SEM images indicated that lowest compressive strength
related to 20% replacement PC-LP by PP. because C-S-H couldn’t
attach other micro parts of specimen.
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