PROPERTIES OF SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE AN OVERVIEW

Paratibha Aggarwal*, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India Yogesh Aggarwal, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India S M Gupta National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India R Siddique, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, India

30th Conference on OUR WORLD IN CONCRETE & STRUCTURES: 23 - 24 August 2005, Singapore

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30th Conference on OUR WORLD IN CONCRETE & STRUCTURES: 23 24 August 2005, Singapore

PROPERTIES OF SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE AN OVERVIEW

Paratibha Aggarwal*, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India Yogesh Aggarwal, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India S M Gupta National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India R Siddique, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, India

Abstract
Self-compacting concrete can be defined as the concrete which requires no vibrations and can flow around obstructions, encloses the reinforcement and fills up the formwork completely under its self weight. Over the last ten years, significant amount of work has been carried out on self-compacting concrete all over the world. In countries like Japan, Sweden, Thailand, UK etc., the knowledge of SCC has moved from domain of research to application. The paper discusses the existing level of research about various aspects of selfcompacting concrete, including materials and mixture design, test methods such as Vfunnel test, L-Box test, J-ring etc., construction-related issues like Tribological behavior of SCC, performance of SCC for under water applications , in basement walls, columns, beams etc., and properties including fresh concrete properties like slump flow, segregation resistance, compressive strength, permeability and diffusivity. Durability properties like sulfate resistance, internal frost resistance, resistance to freezing and thawing, deicing salt surface scaling resistance. It also provides insight into the research being carried out to predict the performance of SCC mixtures using modeling techniques like factorial design method and artificial neural network. The models developed can be used as economical tools for optimized design of SCC mixtures thereby reducing number of mix trials and can be used to generate future results using other materials. Keywords: self compacting, self leveling, concrete, modeling, properties.
1. Introduction Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a new category of high performance concrete characterized by its ability to spread into a heavily reinforced area under its own weight without the need of vibration and has excellent deformability and high resistance to segregation. The use of SCC is considered to have a number of advantages as: Faster placement Better consolidation around reinforcement. Easily placed in thin walled elements or elements with limited access. Improves the quality, durability and reliability of concrete structures. Saving of consolidation machinery and electric power/energy. Ease of placement results in cost savings through reduced equipment and labor requirement. Since the development of SCC in Japan, many organizations across the world have carried out research on properties of SCC. EFNARC [1] - has developed specifications and guidelines for the use of SCC that covers number of topics, ranging from materials selection and mixture design to the significance of testing methods. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) intends to adopt the technology of SCC for various structures in nuclear power plants (Bapat et al.[2].

2. Materials for SCC Mixture proportions for SCC differ from those of ordinary conventional concrete. SCC incorporates high range water reducers (HRWR, Super plasticizers) in larger amounts and frequently a viscosity modifying agent (VMA) in small doses. 2.1. Admixtures Different investigations have been reported (Rols et al.[3]; Sari et al.[4]; Lachemi et al.[5,6]) on the use of different types of HRWRAs with or without VMAs in SCC. Rols et al.[3] studied effect of three types of viscosity agents i.e. starch, precipitated silica and a by-product from the starch industry, on various fresh and hardened SCC properties like workability, segregation, bleeding ,compressive strength, shrinkage and permeability. Results indicated that precipitated silica and, to a less extent, starch could act as good alternatives for welan gum as viscosity agents for self-leveling concrete (SLC). Sari et al.[4] investigated the use of admixtures such as precipitated nanometric silica, combined with commercial super plasticizers. Pie et al. [7] synthesized water-soluble sodium sulphanilate-phenolformaldehyde condensate (SSPF) with a simple synthetic process. Vengala and Ranganath [8] reviewed the principles and methods of mixture proportioning of SCC and also proposed a method for mixture proportioning of SCC. A concrete mix can only be classified as Self-Compacting Concrete if the requirements for all three characteristics are fulfilled i.e. Filling ability, Passing ability, Segregation resistance. Many different tests methods have been developed to characterize the properties of SCC. Several authors (Subramaniam and Chattopadhyay, [9]; Vengala et al., [10]) carried out trials to derive an approximate mix proportion of SCC and also developed the procedure for the selection of a viscosity modifying agent and a compatible superplasticizer and the determination of their dosages. Fig 1 gives influence of superplasticizer content on the properties like compressive strength and flowability. 3. Research findings Flowability is measured mostly using slump flow test. An estimate of the viscosity and the ability to pass through the narrow opening can be obtained using the V-funnel test. The resistance to blocking of concrete can be assessed by using the L-Box test. This test indicates the one-dimensional flowability in a restrained condition (as opposed to slump flow, which shows two-dimensional unrestrained flow), is also, useful in two ways both blocking and lack of stability can be detected visually. Passing ability of concrete can also be measured using the U-box apparatus, which has obstacles in the concrete flow path similar to those in the Lbox test. Fig 2 gives the schematic view of different apparatus used for the tests. 3.1 Fresh Concrete Properties 3.1.1. Slump Flow / Fluidity of concrete/ Flowability Rols et al. [3]; Sari et al. [4]; Lachemi et al. [5]; Khayat, [11]; Grunewald et al. [12]; Su et al. [13]; Khayat & Assaad, [14]; Bosilvkov, [15]; Corinaldesi, et al. [16]; Mahesh, et al. [17]; Mittal, et al. [18]; Nehdi, et al. [19]; Nehdi and Ladanchuk, [20]; Sonebi, M., [21,22] have reported slump flow results of self compacting concrete mixtures. Grunewald et al. [12] showed that the flow behavior of fiber reinforced mixtures differs from that of plain SCC. Studies have indicated that the degree to which workability changes depends on the type and content of fibers used, on the matrix in which they are embedded and the properties of the constituents of the matrix. 3.1.2. V-funnel Test Grunewald, et al. [12]; Su, et al. [13]; Khayat and Assaad ,[14]; Mahesh, et al. [17]; Mittal, et al. [18]; Sonebi, M.[21,22] carried out V-funnel test in the different experimental procedures. Grunewald, et al. [12] investigated the properties of plain SCC and SCC reinforced with steel fibers using the fiber funnel for measuring the deformation speed of flowing concrete. Results indicated that the flow time increased with amount of fibers added and higher aspect ratio (length of fiber divided by its diameter). 3.1.3. L-Box Test L- Box Test was reported by Su,et al. [13]; Corinaldesi, [16]; Mahesh,[17]; Mittal, et al. [18]; Nehdi et al. [19]; Nehdi & Ladanchuk, [20]; Sonebi, M.[21,22]; Bui,et al. [23]; Xie,Y. [24]. Corinaldesi, [16] reported that results from the L-box for SCC mixtures ranged from 0.79 to 0.86 and there was no blockage reported of flow for all mixtures. Xie,[24] evaluated workability of high strength SCC with UPFA by L-box test. Also, J-ring results were reported by Sonebi, M.[21,22]. 3.1.4. Passing ability / U-test U-test or passing ability tests were carried out by Mahesh et al. [17]; Mittal, A., et al. [18].The relation between the bar distance and mixture parameters was investigated during the study. The passing behavior is affected by the content of mainly coarse particles, the maximum size of aggregate and by the segregation resistance of the mixture (Grunewald et al. [12]). A comparison indicated that fiber length, the fiber factor and the stiffening of the mixture in time are affecting factors to passing ability (Su et al. [13]).

3.1.5. Segregation resistance Segregation resistance was reported by Rols et al. [3]; Mittal, A. et al. [18]; Sonebi, M., [21,22]. Bui, et al. [25] presented the testing method for rapid assessment of segregation resistance of SCC not only in the vertical direction, but also in the horizontal direction. The test results showed that the test method can reduce testing time and laboratory work. The proposed method could also distinguish between different coarse- total aggregate ratios, different water- binder ratios and different materials. Rate of bleeding was studied and Stress strain relationship was recorded by Rols et al. [3]. Corinaldesi,C. [16] measured drying shrinkage of prismatic specimens (100*100*500mm) at different curing times. 3.2. Hardened properties 3.2.1. Compressive Strength Compressive strength was studied by Rols et al. [3]; Sari et al.[4]; Su,N., et al. [13]; Corinaldesi,V., et al. [16]; Nehdi & Ladanchuk,[20]; Sonebi,M.,[21,22]; Persson, B., [26]; Kumar, P., et al. [27]. Compressive strength was reported at 1,7,28 and 90 days of cylinders 110 mm in dia and 220 mm high with rate of loading as 5 KN/s by Rols et al [3]. Persson, B. [26] compared the mechanical properties of SCC and the corresponding properties of normal concrete and carried out the study on four different stress to strength levels on 100 mm cubes at 2, 7, 28, 90 and 365 days. Corinaldesi,V. et al. [16] studied compressive and flexural strength of cubic specimens 100 mm in size and prismatic specimens (100*100*500mm). Fig 3 gives the compressive strength and flexural strength as function of curing time. Nehdi, et al. [19] reported that the binary 50% - OPC 50% fly ash mixture had the lowest early age strength due to the slower reactivity of class F fly ash. Studies have indicated that some of this strength decrease may also be due to increase in the air content of mixture by 0.5 % when VMA was added. Zhu et al. [28] reported the results on uniformity of in situ properties of SCC mixes in practical structural columns and beams and compared the results with those of properly compacted conventional concrete. Assessment of the in situ properties of 3m high columns and 3.8m long beams was carried out using core test, for assessing in situ compressive strength, and the results were calculated and expressed as estimated in situ cube strength using Rebound (Schmidt) hammer test for assessing surface hardness and uniformity. 3.2.2. Permeability Different types of permeability were reported by Khayat, [11]; Corinaldesi,V., et al. [16]; Nehdi, et al. [19]; Jooss, M., et al. [29]; Zhu, et al. [30]. Corinaldesi, V. et al. [16] studied carbonation and chloride permeability and measured carbonation depth by phenolphthalein test and chloride penetration depth was measured as a function of time of exposure to a 10 % sodium chloride aqueous solution after water saturation of concrete specimens. Nehdi, et al. [19] measured rapid chloride ion penetrability at 28 and 91 days for SCC mixtures, and observed that high volume replacement SCC made with ternary and quaternary cements have dramatically lower chloride ion permeability compared to that of a reference SCC made with 100% OPC. Bapat et al. [2] also conducted rapid chloride penetration test on specimens of SCC and control mix of conventional concrete. Jooss, M. et al. [29] carried out the tests on 11 types of concrete ranging from normal- strength to high strength concrete, to polymer-modified and self-compacting concrete- establishing permeability and diffusivity of concrete as a function of temperature between 20 and 80oC. The results indicated that the permeability increases by 13 62 % when the temperature is raised from 20 to 50oC and by an additional increase to 80oC. Zhu et al. [30] reported the results regarding oxygen permeability. The results indicated that for the 40 MPa strength grade, SCC mixes had significantly lower coefficient of permeability than the reference concrete mixes. 3.2.3. Diffusivity Jooss [29] carried out diffusion tests following standardized procedures according to DIN 52615, using the dry cup method as well as the wet cup method. It was reported that diffusivity increases by 10-21% form 20 to 50oC and by 8-21% from 50 to 80oC.Zhu [30] observed that the diffusivity was very much dependent on the type of additional powder used in concrete. Both the SCC and the reference mixes using PFA showed much lower values of chloride migration coefficient than the other mixes. 3.2.4. Tribological behavior of SCC A tribometer was developed to measure the friction on metal surface. The tests and observations made (Djelal et al.[31] revealed a set of mechanisms that depend on the properties of the interface (roughness of the plate, the sliding velocity against the plate, the pressure or normal stress and the nature of the demoulding agent at the concrete / wall interface).Vanhove et al. [32] obtained estimation of the lateral pressure of SCC on form work during the casting process, using Janssens model used in the statics of ensiled granular material. 3.2.5. SCC incorporating different materials The influence of finely ground limestone and crushed limestone dust on the properties of SCC mixes in the fresh and hardened state was studied by Bosiljkov [15]. Results obtained indicate that finer and better graded limestone dust significantly increases the deformability of the paste.

Nehdi & Ladanchuk [20] investigated potential synergistic effects in SCC incorporating different steel and synthetic polymer macro and micro fibers in various hybrid (single, binary, and ternary) combinations. Results indicated that fibers can have rheological and mechanical synergistic effect, and that optimized fiber combinations can increase toughness and flexural strength better while maintaining adequate flow properties for fiber-reinforced SCC. Chabib et al [33] investigated the confinement effect of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) tubes on the strength and ductility of short SCC cylindrical columns subjected to uniaxial compression and transverse loading and reported that SCC filled GFRP tubes had a comparable behavior to that of NC filled GFRP tubes under both uniaxial compression and transverse load. 4. Durability properties 4.1. Sulfate Resistance Persson [34] carried out a laboratory study from 1999 to 2002 on sulfate resistance of self-compacting concrete. Results of various studies indicated that the limestone particles are much more sensitive to sulfate attack than when the particles are mixed with cement and covered by the cement gel. SCC made with highvolume replacement binary, ternary and quaternary cements achieved very low sulfate expansion compared to that of a reference SCC made with 100 % OPC (Nehdi, et al. [19]). 4.2. Internal frost resistance/ Salt frost scaling Different factors affecting frost resistance were increased amount of filler, different air content, and dissimilar method of casting. Thus, the investigations were carried out for effects of normal and reversed order of mixing (filler last), increased amount of filler, fineness of filler, limestone powder, increased air content, and large hydrostatic concrete pressure. Less salt frosting was observed of SCC with limestone powder having higher fineness. SCC exhibited better internal frost resistance than NC. (Persson, B. [35]). 4.3. Resistance to freezing and thawing cycles Resistance to freezing and thawing was studied by Khayat, [11]; Corinaldesi, V., [16].Corinaldesi,V. [16] reported that resistance to freezing and thawing was moderate and can be improved by the superficial application of a hydrophobic agent, which reduces water ingress into concrete. 4.4. Deicing Salt Surface Scaling Resistance. Nehdi et al. [19] observed that although HVFA-SCC had poor performance under deicing salt-surface scaling in the laboratory, high volume replacement ternary and quaternary SCC can be designed to achieve comparable deicing salt surface scaling resistance to that of a reference SCC mixture made with 100% OPC. 5. Thixotropy Experimental investigations were carried out by Assaad [36, 37] to determine the influence of thixotropy, on the development of formwork lateral pressure on an experimental column measuring 2100 mm in height and 200 mm in diameter. Results show that the lateral pressure exerted by plastic SCC is directly related to thixotropy. With the increase in thixotropy, the initial lateral pressure registered following casting decreases, and the rate of drop in lateral pressure is accelerated. Thixotropy of fresh concrete was quantified by evaluating the variations in yield stress and the structural breakdown curves. Assaad and Khayat [38] evaluated the effect of the concentration and maximum size of aggregate on the variations of lateral pressure of SCC up to hardening, also the kinetics of the drop in pore water pressure were determined and interpreted with respect to temperature rise. 6. Inter Transitional Zone (ITZ) The depth-sensing micro indentation technique was used (Zhu, W. et al. [39]) to study the elastic modulus and micro-strength of the ITZ around steel reinforcement in practical reinforced concrete. The results obtained for both the SCC and the reference mixes revealed the distribution of micro-mechanical properties within ITZ with a trough or a minimum occurring at 10 30m from the actual steel interface. Similar observations were made by Kumar & Kaushik [40] regarding investigation of ITZ in SCC and conventional concretes. 7. Design Methods Su,N. et al [13] proposed a new mix design method for SCC with principal consideration to fill the paste of binders into voids of the aggregate framework piled loosely. Using proposed method, selection of the qualified materials, calculations, mixing test and with some adjustments, SCC with good flowability and segregation resistance could be obtained with self compacting ability as specified by JSCE. Sonebi,M. [21,22] investigated the feasibility of using a factorial design method to identify the relative significance of primary mix parameters and their coupled effects on the relevant properties of medium strength SCC (MS-SCC).The SCC responses modeled were slump flow, lose of fluidity, Orimet time, V-funnel time, height of L-box, L-box ratio, J-ring + Orimet, yield stress, plastic viscosity, segregation resistance and 7-, 28- and 90-day compressive strengths. The models established using factorial design approach were valid for a wide range of mix proportioning and provided an efficient means to determine the influence of key variables on MS-SCC properties.

A model based on the paste rheology criteria, which includes minimum apparent viscosity, minimum flow, and optimum flow viscosity ratio to achieve SCC with satisfactory segregation resistance and deformability was developed (Bui, et al. [23]). Nehdi et al. [41] used artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict the performance of SCC mixtures effectively. A model was proposed for the acceptance/ rejection of SCC mixtures based on knowledge of their mixture proportions. The model could predict slump flow, filling capacity, segregation, and 28-d compressive strength values of SCC mixtures. Saak, et al. [42] introduced a new segregation controlled design methodology for SCC. The theory suggested that aggregate segregation is governed by the yield stress, viscosity and density of the cement paste matrix. The test results showed that concrete will have its greatest fluidity at the lowest paste yield stress and viscosity, where segregation is still avoided. Ghezal, et al. [43] conducted an experimental program in which response surface methods are employed to optimize four-component concrete containing limestone filler subjected to eight performance criteria. This criteria includes slump flow and its retention over time, V-funnel flow time, rheological parameters, surface settlement, and compressive strength at 1 and 28 days. The proposed models could be used to facilitate the test protocol needed to optimize SCC. Patel et al. [44] carried out the investigation of 21 statistically balanced concrete mixtures to minimize the use of high range water-reducing admixtures (HRWRA) and to optimize the use of fly ash in SCC. Fresh concrete properties were determined from slump flow, V-funnel flow, filling capacity, bleeding, air content, and segregation tests. The mechanical properties and durability characteristics of SCC such as compressive strength, freezing- and thawing resistance, rapid chloride permeability, surface scaling resistance, and drying shrinkage were determined to evaluate the performance of SCC. 8. Performance of SCC for various applications. Different applications of SCC were studied by different authors like under water applications (Sonebi and Khayat, [45]) , basement and foundation walls ( Khayat et al. [46]), Highly Reinforced Columns (Khayat, et al. [47]), Reinforced Beams (Sonebi, M.et al. [49]). 9. Conclusions Based on the literature reviewed and research findings it was observed that 1. Workability parameters for initial mix design of SCC which need to be assessed can be summarized as filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance 2. It is evident that the properties of SCC in hardened state are similar to those of conventional concrete. 3. Different studies show that high strengths and adequate durability can be obtained using SCC. Better internal frost resistance was exhibited by SCC as compared to normal concrete. 4. Permeation properties like water sorptivity and oxygen permeability was lower for SCC. Also, SCC had higher resistance against chloride penetration, frost freeze thaw and scaling, due to the increased dispersion of cement and filler, and a denser ITZ compared to conventional concrete. 5. Different design methodologies like ANN, factorial design method etc. for SCC have been suggested to develop models that can be used as economical tools for optimized design of SCC mixtures with desired properties. REFERENCES 1. EFNARC - Specification and Guidelines for self-compacting concrete, February 2002. 2. Bapat, S.G., Kulkarni, S.B., Bandekar, K.S., Using SCC in nuclear power plants- Laboratory and mockup trials at Kaiga, The Indian Concrete Journal 78(6) 2004, 51 - 57. 3. Rols, S., Ambroise, J., Pera, J.,Effects of different viscosity agents on the properties of self-leveling concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 29(2) 1999, 261-266. 4. Sari, M., Prat, E., Labastire, J.-F., High strength self-compacting concrete Original solutions associating organic and inorganic admixtures. Cement and Concrete Research 29(6)1999, 813-818. 5. Lachemi, M., Hossain, K.M.A., Lambros, V., Bouzoubaa, N., Development of cost-effective selfconsolidating concrete incorporating fly ash, slag cement, or viscosity-modifying admixtures. ACI Materials Journal 100(5) 2003, 419-425. 6. Lachemi, M., Hossain, K.M.A., Lambros, V., Nkinamubanzi, P.C., Bouzoubaa, N., Performance of new viscosity modifying admixtures in enhancing the rheological properties of cement paste. Cement and Concrete Research 34(2) 2004, 189-193. 7. Pei, M., Wang, D., Hu, X., Xu, D., Synthesis of sodium sulfanilate-phenol-formaldehyde condensate and its application as a super plasticizer in concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 30(11) 2000, 18411845. 8. Vengala, J., Ranganath, R.V., Mixture proportioning procedures for self-compacting concrete. The Indian Concrete Journal 78(8) 2004, 13-21.

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Zhu, W., Bartos, P.J.M., Application of depth-sensing microindentation testing to study of interfacial transition zone in reinforced concrete. Cement and Concrete Research 30(8) 2000, 1299-1304 Kumar, P., Kaushik, S.K., Transition Zone in self-compacting Concrete. The Indian Concrete Journal, 78(6) 2004, 60-65. Nehdi, M., Chabib, H.E., Naggar, M.H.E., Predicting performance of self-compacting concrete mixtures using artificial neural networks. ACI Materials Journal 98(5) 2001, 394-401. Saak, A.W., Jennings, J.M., Shah, S.P., New methodology for designing self-compacting concrete. ACI Materials Journal, 98 (6) 2001, 429-439. Ghezal, A., Khayat, K.H., Optimizing self-consolidating concrete with limestone filler by using statistical factorial design methods. ACI Materials Journal 99(3) 2002, 264-268. Patel, R., Hossain, K.M.A., Shehata, M., Bouzoubaa, N., Lachemi, M., Development of statistical models for mixture design of high-volume fly ash self-consolidation concrete. ACI Materials Journal, 101(4) 2004, 294-302. Sonebi, M., Khayat, K.H., Effect of water velocity on performance of underwater selfconsolidating concrete. ACI Materials Journal, 96(5) 1999, 519-528. Khayat, K.H., Bickley, J., Lessard, M., Performance of self-consolidating concrete for casting basement and foundation walls. ACI Materials Journal, 97(3) 2000, 374-380. Khayat, K.H., Paultre, P., Tremblay, S., Structural performance and in-place properties of selfconsolidating concrete used for casting highly reinforced columns. ACI Materials Journal, 98(5) 2001, 371-378. Han, L.H., Yao, G.H., Experimental behaviour of thin-walled hollow structural steel (HSS) columns filled with self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Thin Walled Structures, 42(9) 2004, 1357-1377. Sonebi, M., Tamimi, A.K., Bartos, P.J.M., Performance and cracking behavior of reinforced beams cast with self-consolidating concrete. ACI Materials Journal 100(6) 2003, 492-500.

Mechanical strengths (MPa)

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 50 100 150 200 Compressive Strength Flexural Strength

100

850 750

Compressive Strength (MPa)

550 80 450 350 70

fcu,28(OC) fcu,28(SCC) Slump Slump flow

250 150 50

Flowability (mm)

90

650

Curing time (days)

60 0.6 1.0 1.5

2.1

SP content (%)

Fig: 1 Influence of SP content on the properties of SCC from Xie et al. 2002

Fig: 3 Compressive and Flexural Strengths of the concrete as a function of curing time from Corinaldesi et al. 2004

V-funnel

L-Box

U-Box

J-ring

Fig: 2 Schematic view of different apparatus used in various tests