Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

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Materials and Design

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/matdes

Mechanical, rheological, durability and microstructural properties of high

performance self-compacting concrete containing SiO2 micro and nanoparticles
Mostafa Jalal a,, Esmaeel Mansouri b, Mohammad Sharipour b, Ali Reza Pouladkhan b
a
b

Department of Civil Engineering, Power and Water University of Technology(PWUT), Tehran, Iran
Department of Civil Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

a r t i c l e

i n f o

Article history:
Received 17 July 2011
Accepted 25 August 2011
Available online 1 September 2011
Keywords:
A. Concrete
A. Nanomaterials
F. Microstructure

a b s t r a c t
In this paper, mechanical, rheological, durability and microstructural properties of high performance self
compacting concrete (HPSCC) incorporating SiO2 micro and nanoparticles have been investigated. For this
purpose, a fraction of Portland cement was replaced by different amounts of microsilica, nanosilica and
blend of micro and nanosilica as 10%, 2% and 10% + 2% respectively. Three different binder contents as
400, 450 and 500 kg/m3 with a constant water to binder ratio (w/b = 0.38) were investigated. Rheological
properties were determined through slump ow time and diameter, V-funnel ow time and L-box tests
and mechanical characteristics were determined. Durability properties were evaluated by water absorption, capillary absorption, Cl ion percentage and resistivity tests. Microstructure of the concrete was also
assessed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the properties improved signicantly for the specimens containing micro and nanosilica. Improvement of Cl ion percentage and
resistivity results in the micro and nanosilica blended mixtures was also noticeable. From the microstructure point of view, the SEM micrographs showed more rened and packed pore structure of the concrete
containing admixtures especially at longer ages which could lead to enhancement of strength and the
durability properties of HPSCC specimens.
2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
High-performance concrete (HPC) has become an attractive
option compared to normal-strength concrete (NSC). Highperformance concrete (HPC) is a specialized concrete designed to
provide several benets in the construction of concrete structures.
HPC offers high strength, better durability properties, and good
construction. High strength is one of the important attributes of
HPC. High strength concrete, according to American Concrete Institute Committee ACI 363 R [1], is the concrete which has specic
compressive strength of 41 MPa or more at 28 days. The HPC offers
signicant economic and architectural advantages over NSC in
similar situations, and is suited well for constructions that require
high durability.
Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is considered as a concrete
which can be placed and compacted under its own weight with
little or no vibration without segregation or bleeding. It is used
to facilitate and ensure proper lling and good structural performance of restricted areas and heavily reinforced structural members. It has gained signicant importance in recent years because
of the advantages it offers [25].

Corresponding author. Tel.: +98 912 7314208; fax: +98 21 73932487.

E-mail addresses: mjalal@pwut.ac.ir, m.jalal.civil@gmail.com (M. Jalal).
0261-3069/$ - see front matter 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2011.08.037

Many researchers have used SCC containing admixtures to satisfy the great demand for nes needed for this type of concrete,
thereby improving its mechanical, rheological and durability properties in comparison with normal vibrated concrete (NVC).
Researchers have investigated the effects of different admixtures
on SCC properties in recent years. Siddique [6] investigated the
properties of SCC made with different amounts of y ash. El-Dieb
[7] studied mechanical and durability properties of ultra high
strength-ber reinforced concrete (UHS-FRC) with self compacting
characteristics. According to Fava et al. [8], in SCCs with ground
granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), strength increase can be
achieved. Kulakowski et al. [9] reviewed the silica fume inuence
on reinforcement corrosion in concrete. The effect of metakaolin
on transport properties of concrete were also investigated by
Shekarchi et al. [10]. There are also some works on incorporating
nanoparticles into concrete specimens to achieve improved
physical and mechanical properties which most of them have
focused on using SiO2 nanoparticles in normal concrete [11],
generally cement mortars and cement-based materials [1215]
and self compacting concrete [16].
By combining the characteristics and advantages of HPC and
SCC, high performance self-compacting concrete (HPSCC) can be
produced which possesses the advantages in both forms of fresh
and hardened concrete, i.e. while presenting higher strength and
durability, it has a good workability and rheological properties.

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M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

HPSCC seems to be promising materials for many applications

and structures. However, this would not be achieved without
studying its performance before being widely adopted in construction. Also, the behavior of structural elements made with HPSCC
needs better understanding, together with design provisions.
The aim of this study is to investigate mechanical, rheological
and durability properties of high performance self compacting concrete incorporating SiO2 micro and nanoparticles. With this
respect, workability properties, strength enhancement, absorption
characteristics, electrical resistivity, chloride ion percentage and
microstructure of the HPSCC specimens have been assessed. The
effect of different binder contents on the HPSCC mixtures has also
been investigated.
2. Materials
An ASTM Type II Portland cement (PC) was used to produce the
various HPSCC mixtures. In addition, SiO2 micro and nanoparticles
were used as admixtures which are hereafter called microsilica
(MS) and nanosilica (NS) respectively. Table 1 summarizes physical
properties and chemical composition of the cement and microsilica
and Table 2 shows the properties of nanosilica used. The coarse
aggregate used was limestone gravel with a nominal maximum
size of 12.5 mm. As ne aggregate, a mixture of silica aggregate
sand and crushed limestone (as ller) was used with a maximum
size of 4.75 mm. The particle size gradation obtained through the
sieve analysis and physical properties of the ller, ne and coarse
aggregates are presented in Table 3. All aggregates in this research
were used in dry form and the aggregates were a mixture of eight
particle sizes of ne and coarse aggregates which the gradation
curves can be seen in Fig. 1. A polycarboxylic-ether type superplasticizer (SP) with a specic gravity of between 1.06 and 1.08
was employed to achieve the desired workability in all concrete
mixtures. Furthermore, viscosity modifying agent (VMA) was used
for better consistency.
3. Mix design proportions
A total number of 12 concrete mixtures were designed with a
constant water/binder (w/b) ratio of 0.38 and total binder content
of 400, 450 and 500 kg/m3. Concrete samples were prepared with
10% and 2% (by weight) replacement of Portland cement by micro
and nanosilica respectively. The mixture proportions of concrete
and binder paste are given in Table 4. The abbreviations used in
the study for labeling the mixtures were adopted in such a way
that they clearly show the main parameters and their amount.
HPSCC stands for high performance self compacting concrete
which is followed by the binder content. MS and NS denote microsilica and nanosilica respectively which are followed by their
percentages.

Table 1
Chemical composition and physical properties of cement and microsilica.
Chemical analysis (%)

Cement

Microsilica

Sio2
Al2O3
Fe2O3
CaO
MgO
SO3
K2O
Na2O
Loss of ignition
Specic gravity
Blaine neness (cm2/g)

20<
6<
6<
<50
<5
<3
<1
<1
<3
3.15
3260

93.6
1.3
0.9
0.5
1
0.4
1.52
0.45
3.1
2.2
21,090

Table 2
Properties of nanosilica.
Diameter (nm)

Surface volume ratio (m2/g)

Density (g/cm3)

Purity (%)

15 3

165 17

<0.15

>99.9

Table 3
Sieve analysis and physical properties of the ller, ne and coarse aggregates.
Sieve size (mm)

Filler
(%passing)

Fine aggregate
(%passing)

Coarse aggregate
(%passing)

12.5
9.5
4.75
2.36
1.18
0.6
0.3
0.15
0.075
Bulk density
(kg/m3)
Specic gravity
(g/m3)
Absorption (%)

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
90.9
33.7

100
100
98.38
76.45
46.65
39.32
15.26
3.62
0
1460

97.9
79.3
13.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1450

2.619

2.6

2.72

0.4

5. Preparation of the specimens

Cubic molds of 150  150  150 mm dimensions and cylindrical molds of 100  200 mm dimensions were made for compressive and splitting tensile tests respectively. The molds for HPSCC
were covered with polyethylene sheets and moistened for 48 h.
Then the specimens were demoulded and cured in water at a temperature of 20 C until the time of the test. The compressive and
splitting tensile strengths of the concrete samples were determined at 3, 7, 28 and 90 days and the average of two trials was
reported.

4. Mixing procedure
Since the SP plays a very important role in the owability of SCC
mixes [17], a modied mixing procedure was adopted to take the
benet of action of adsorption of molecules of poly-carboxylic
ether based SP on the cement particles for all mixes. HPSCC mixtures were prepared by mixing coarse aggregates, ne aggregates
and powder materials (cement, micro and nanosilica) in a laboratory drum mixer. The powder material and the aggregates were
mixed in dry form for 2 min. Then half of the water containing
the whole amount of super plasticizer was poured and mixed for
3 min. After that, about 1 min rest was allowed and nally rest of
the water containing VMA was added into the mixture and mixed
for 1 min.

6. Testing of the specimens

When the mixing procedure was completed, tests were conducted on the fresh concrete to determine slump ow time and
diameter, V-funnel ow time and L-box height ratio. Segregation
was also visually checked during the slump ow test. From each
concrete mixture, 150  150  150 mm cubes, 100  200 mm cylinders and 100  100  100 mm cubes were cast for the determination of compressive strength, split tensile strength and
durability tests (absorption, capillary, specic electrical resistance
and penetration Cl- ion tests) respectively. All specimens were cast
in one layer without any compaction. At the age of 48 h, the

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M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

100.00
90.00

Cumulative finer (%)

80.00
70.00
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
filler
20.00
Fine aggregate
10.00

Coarse aggregate

0.00
100

10

0.1

0.01

Particle size D (mm)

Fig. 1. Grading curves of ller, ne and coarse aggregates.

Table 4
Mix proportions of the concrete specimens.
(kg/m3)
No

Concrete ID

w/b

Cement

Microsilica

Nanosilica

Filler

Fine aggregate

Coarse aggregate

Sp

VMA

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

HPSCC400
HPSCC450
HPSCC500
HPSCC400MS10%
HPSCC450 MS 10%
HPSCC500 MS 10%
HPSCC400NS2%
HPSCC450 NS 2%
HPSCC500 NS 2%
HPSCC400MS10NS2%
HPSCC450MS10NS2%
HPSCC500MS10NS2%

0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38
0.38

400
450
500
360
405
450
392
441
490
352
396
440

40
45
50

40
45
50

8
9
10
8
9
10

177
177
177
177
177
177
177
177
177
177
177
177

1003
1003
1003
1003
1003
1003
1003
1003
1003
1003
1003
1003

578
578
578
578
578
578
578
578
578
578
578
578

2.5
2.81
3.12
2.5
2.81
3.12
2.5
2.81
3.12
2.5
2.81
3.12

2
2.25
2.5
2
2.25
2.5
2
2.25
2.5
2
2.25
2.5

specimens were demolded and stored in water at 21 2 C until

the date of testing.

SCC prepared by EFNARC (European Federation for Specialist Construction Chemicals and Concrete Systems) [21].

6.1. Tests on fresh concrete

6.2. Tests on hardened concrete

The ow rate of a SCC mixture is inuenced by its viscosity.

When developing an SCC mixture in the laboratory, a relative measure of viscosity is useful. The time it takes for the outer edge of the
concrete circle to spread and reach a diameter of 20 in. (500 mm)
from the time the mold is rst raised, based on the procedure described in the slump ow test, provides a relative measure of the
unconned ow rate of the concrete mixture. For similar materials,
this time period, termed T50, gives an indication of the viscosity of
the SCC mixture [18]. According to Nagataki and Fujiwara [19], the
slump ow represents the mean diameter of the mass of concrete
after release of a standard slump cone; the diameter is measured in
two perpendicular directions. Basic workability requirements for
an acceptable SCC are summarized by Khayat [20] as; excellent
deformability, good stability, and lower risk of blockage.
Workability properties of SCC mixtures in this study were evaluated through the measurement of slump ow time (T50) to reach a
concrete 50 cm spread circle, slump ow diameter (D), V-funnel
ow time and L-box blocking ratio (ratio of heights at the two
edges of L-box) according to the Specication and Guidelines for

Tests performed on hardened concrete aimed to determine the

mechanical properties including the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of the concrete specimens. Compressive strength values were measured according to BS-1881 [22] on 150  150 
150 mm cube specimens with two specimens for each concrete
mix on 3, 7, 28 and 90 days of curing.
The splitting tensile strengths were determined on 3, 7, 28 and
90 days on cylinders measuring 100-mm diameter and 200 mm
height and cured in water until the date of test according the ASTM
C496 [23]. Two specimens of each mixture were tested and the
mean value was reported.
6.3. Durability tests
Once the chemical species have penetrated into the body of
concrete via one or more transport mechanisms, degradation could
gradually initiate by their chemical and/or physical interactions
with other components. Depending on the type of attack, the transport mechanism could involve the permeation of water, absorption

M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

of aqueous solutions by capillary suction, diffusion of gaseous

compounds, or ionic diffusion of dissolved species. Therefore, durability concerns need to address the transport properties rst. In
most durability-related phenomena such as alkalisilica reaction
(ASR), sulfate attack, carbonation, leaching, frost resistance and
corrosion, there exist one or more transport mechanisms involved
causing the movement of water and/or chemical ions into or out of
concrete, enhancing a set of chemical reactions or physical actions
with gradual deterioration of the material. Recent guidelines for
concrete design, classify concrete based on its durability, with
transport characteristics serving as the main criteria [24].
6.3.1. Absorption test
This test is based on BS 1881-Part 122 for testing water absorption in hardened concrete. The 100  100  100 mm specimens
were dried in an oven at 45 C for a week and after 14 days specimens reached to constant weight. The specimens were then
immersed in water and scaled after 0.5, 1, 24, 72 and 168 h to
check the weight increase and to calculate the water absorption
percentage. In this test, water absorption can only take place in
pores which are emptied during drying and lled with water during the immersion period.
6.3.2. Capillary test
When a non-saturated concrete element is in contact with
water at one side and absorbed water evaporation is possible from
the other side, a permanent owing regime through capillary
absorption is established [25]. The test carried out in this study
for determination of capillary water absorption is based on RILEM
CPC 11.2, TC 14-CPC for testing capillary absorption in hardened
concrete. The 100  100  100 mm specimens were dried in the
oven at 40 5 C. They were put on rods in a water bath in such
a way that they were immersed in water for no more than 5 mm.
In this test, unidirectional ow depths of the specimens were measured and results of capillary depths were reported.
6.3.3. Cl ion percentage
This test measures the chloride content penetrated into the concrete by weight of the concrete specimens. The lower the percentage of the chloride content, the better the durability of the

Table 6
Fresh properties of HPSCC mixtures.
Mix
no

Concrete ID

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

HPSCC400
HPSCC450
HPSCC500
HPSCC400MS10%
HPSCC450MS10%
HPSCC500MS10%
HPSCC400NS2%
HPSCC450NS2%
HPSCC500NS2%
HPSCC400MS10NS2%
HPSCC450MS10NS2%
HPSCC500MS10NS2%

Acceptance criteria of SCC

suggested by EFNARC

Min.
Max.

Slump ow
D
(mm)

T50
(s)

750
800
840
650
700
760
740
790
820
640
700
740

2
1.7
1.5
2.2
2.1
2.2
2.1
1.9
1.7
2.4
2.3
2.1

Slump ow
D
(mm)

T50
(s)

650
800

2
5

V-funnel ow
time (s)

L-box
H2/H1

9
5
4
10
7
5
10
6
4
12
8
6

0.73
0.78
0.84
0.81
0.9
0.96
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.84
0.93
0.98
V-funnel ow
time (s)

L-box
H2/H1

6
12

0.8
1

concrete. The test procedure for determination of Cl ion percentage

is as follows:
After curing period of 90 days, 150  150  150 mm cubic specimens were immersed in 3% NaCl solution for 90 days. Then specimens were dried in the oven for 24 h. After that, in order to
prepare some pulverized concrete samples (powder samples) for
the test, all 6 faces of the cubic specimens were drilled by depths
of 05, 510, 1015, 1520 and 2030 mm and the concrete
powder samples obtained from all 6 faces for each depth were

900
850

Slump flow (mm)

392

800
750
700
MS 0%
MS 10%
NS 2%
MS 10% and NS 2%

650

Electrical resistance
measurement device

Heavy wood
for fixing
the plate

600
400

450
binder content (kg/m3)

500

Fig. 3. Results of slump ow test for different admixtures and binder contents.

10 Cm

Concrete
sample

Copper
plate
(Electrodes)
2.5

Heavy wood
for fixing
the plate

Fig. 2. Schematic of resistivity test setup.

Table 5
Relation between electrical resistivity and probability of corrosion
[25].
Electrical resistivity (X m)

Probability of corrosion

120<
50120
<50

Not Probable
Probable
Inevitable

T50cm (sec)

Wire
2

1.5
MS 0%
MS 10%
NS 2%
MS 10% and NS 2%

1
400

450
binder content (kg/m3)

500

Fig. 4. Results of T50 test for different admixtures and binder contents.

393

M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

MS 0%
MS 10%
NS 2%
MS 10% and NS 2%

12

V funnel (sec)

10
8
6
4
2
400

450
binder content (kg/m3)

500

Fig. 5. Results of V-funnel test for different admixtures and binder contents.

L box

0.8
MS 0%
MS 10%
NS 2%
MS 10% and NS 2%

0.6
400

450
binder content (kg/m3)

Cl %

6.3.4. Resistivity test

The corrosion of steel in concrete is an electro-chemical process
which creates a current ow causing metal to dissolve so that it is
possible to assess the probability of reinforcement corrosion by
evaluating the electrical resistance of the concrete. The factor is
measured in terms of resistivity. Generally, the probability of the
steel corrosion increases when the concrete resistivity deceases.
Resistivity test setup includes an electrical resistance measurement device and two electrodes which both can be attached to the
concrete sample surfaces or one may be attached to a steel rebar
embedded in the concrete sample and the other attached to the
concrete sample surface [2629]. For this test, 100  100 
100 mm cubes were used and measurements were made at 7, 28
and 90 days. The resistivity values were calculated by using Eq.
(1). The test procedure can be summarized in this way: after curing
the sample in the water for specic ages (7, 28 and 90 days), the
surfaces of the sample were dried. Two copper plates were attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the concrete sample
by cement paste and two wooden nonconductive blocks were
placed under and on the concrete sample. Schematic of the test setup is illustrated in Fig. 2. The electrical resistance values (R) read
from the electrical device were substituted in Eq. (2) and then
the resistivity values were calculated. By using Table 5, probability
of corrosion can be determined.

blended and in this way, the samples were prepared for the next
step of the test [ASTM C1218].
In this test method, total chloride content of pulverized
concrete sample is determined by the potentiometric titration of
chloride with silver nitrate [ASTM C114]. The pulverized concrete
sample prepared is solved in nitric acid solution and then if the
solution is acidic, a little of NaHCO3 is added to this solution until
pH value reaches 6 or 7. Then the K2CrO4 indicator is added so that
the color of the solution changes to light yellow. Eventually, 0.05 N
AgNO3 is added until the color of the solution turns to orangeyellow (weak brown) and the volume of the AgNO3 solution is measured. In order to determine the Cl ion percentage, the volume of
the AgNO3 solution is substituted in Eq. (1).

W is the weigh of pulverized (powder) concrete prepared from the

sample, N is normality of AgNO3 solution, V is the volume of AgNO3
solution.

500

Fig. 6. Results of L-box test for different admixtures and binder contents.

3:5453V  N
W

RA
L

R is the resistance (X), A the area of sample (m2), L is length of sample (m), r is the resistivity (X m).
7. Results and discussion
7.1. Fresh concrete properties
In this experimental program, workability of HPSCC was measured by slump ow (D (mm) and T50 (s)), V-funnel, and L-box
tests. Table 6 lists the test results performed on fresh concrete.
The slump ow diameters of all mixtures were in the range of
640840 mm, slump ow times were less than 2.4 s, and the
V-funnel ow times (s) were in the range of 412 s. The lowest
V-funnel ow time as 4 s was measured for the HPSCC500N2%
while the HPSCC400NS2%MS10% mixture had the highest ow

Table 7
Compressive splitting tensile strength results of HPSCC specimens.
No

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Concrete ID

HPSCC400
HPSCC450
HPSCC500
HPSCC400NS2%
HPSCC450NS2%
HPSCC500NS2%
HPSCC400MS10%
HPSCC450MS10%
HPSCC500MS10%
HPSCC400MS10NS2%
HPSCC450MS10NS2%
HPSCC500MS10NS2%

Compressive strength (Mpa)

Splitting tensile strength (Mpa)

3 days

7 days

28 days

90 days

3 days

7 days

28 days

90 days

27.8
27.8
32.5
29.2
31.8
36.2
36.1
33.4
34.3
40.3
38.7
41

36.4
36.4
40.2
44.3
44.1
49.1
48.7
42.8
43.9
59
50.1
52.3

51.8
52
52.5
71.3
80.4
82.1
56.5
58.3
63.4
78.8
83.5
87.9

53.1
53
53.2
75.9
85.3
86.1
58.1
59.3
65.1
82.4
89.9
92.1

2.1
2.2
2.8
2
2.1
2.3
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.5
2.6
2.9

2.9
2.7
3.7
3
3.1
3.6
3.1
3.2
3.7
3.4
3.8
3.7

3.6
4.5
4.7
3.7
4.5
4.7
3.7
4.3
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.8

3.9
4.6
4.8
4.4
4.8
4.9
4.3
4.6
4.8
4.9
5.1
5.3

394

M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

(a)

Compressive strength (MPa)

85

binder content: 400 (kg/m3)

65

45
HPSCC,400
HPSCC,NS 2%
HPSCC,MS 10%
HPSCC,NS 2% and MS 10%

25
0

14

21

28

35

42

49

56

63

70

77

84

91

Days

(b)
Compressive strenght (MPa)

85

binder content: 450 (kg/m3)

65

45
HPSCC,450
HPSCC,NS 2%
HPSCC,MS 10%
HPSCC,NS 2% and MS 10%

25
0

14

21

28

35

42

49

56

63

70

77

84

91

Days

(c)

Compressive strength (MPa)

87

binder content: 500 (kg/m3)

67

47
HPSCC,500
HPSCC,NS 2%
HPSCC,MS 10%
HPSCC,NS 2% and MS 10%

27
0

14

21

28

35

42

49

56

63

70

77

84

Days
Fig. 7. Compressive strength of HPSCC samples with binder contents of (a) 400, (b) 450 and (c) 500.

91

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M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

Table 8
Results of water absorption by time.
No

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Concrete ID

Water absorption (%)

HPSCC400
HPSCC450
HPSCC500
HPSCC400NS2%
HPSCC450NS2%
HPSCC500NS2%
HPSCC400MS10%
HPSCC450MS10%
HPSCC500MS10%
HPSCC400MS10NS2%
HPSCC450MS10NS2%
HPSCC500MS10NS2%

Time (h)
0.5

Time (h)
1

Time (h)
24

Time (h)
48

Time (h)
72

Time (h)
168

2.6
2.3
2.2
1.7
1.65
1.5
1.8
1.7
1.44
1.4
1.3
1.1

3.2
3.15
3.1
2.2
2.1
1.95
2.25
2.2
1.7
1.8
1.65
1.4

5.3
4.5
4.3
2.7
2.4
2.4
2.65
2.6
2.2
2
1.9
1.6

5.5
4.7
4.4
2.8
2.6
2.5
2.7
2.64
2.3
2.2
1.8
1.7

5.6
4.8
4.6
2.85
2.6
2.6
2.74
2.7
2.4
2.3
2
1.9

5.8
4.9
4.9
3
2.8
2.7
3
2.9
2.5
2.4
2.1
2

HPSCC,400
HPSCC,400,MS10%
HPSCC,400,NS2%
HPSCC,400,NS2%MS10%

6.7

HPSCC,450
HPSCC,450,MS10%
HPSCC,450,NS2%
HPSCC,450,NS2%MS10%

HPSCC,500
HPSCC,500,MS10%
HPSCC,500,NS2%
HPSCC,500,NS2%MS10%

water absorption (%)

5.7

4.7

3.7

2.7

1.7

0.7
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Time (hour)
Fig. 8. Water absorption versus time for different mixtures.

time as 12 s. Incorporating MS and NS in binary and ternary systems, generally made the concretes more viscous. In order to increase V-funnel ow time of the concretes, the mineral
admixtures as MS were used in binary blends. The L-box height ratios were in the range of 0.730.98. Almost all workability test results were in the range established by EFNARC [21] except some
T50 ow times. T50 measurements of some mixtures were less than
the lower limit; however, all concrete mixtures lled the molds by
its own weight without the need for vibration. In addition to the
above properties, visual inspection of fresh concrete did not indicate any segregation or considerable bleeding in any of the mixtures containing MS and NS during the slump ow, V-funnel and
L-box tests; however, a little bleeding was observed in the control
specimens without any MS and NS. The effect of including MS and
NS with various volume fractions decreased owability characteristics; however, they can improve the consistency of concrete mixtures. Less bleeding and segregation were also observed in the
mixtures containing MS + NS. Variations of slump ow (mm), T50
(s) V-funnel (s) and L-box are shown in Figs. 36 respectively. Generally it can be inferred from the gures that rheological properties
of the mixtures containing 2% NS were close to those of the

mixtures without admixtures (MS 0% in the gures) and addition

of 2% NS did not change the workability signicantly. However,
the rheological properties changed more in the mixtures containing 10% MS and 10% MS + 2% NS. It is worth mentioning that less
segregation and bleeding achieved by increasing the binder content from 400 to 500 kg/m3. Referring to the Figs. 36, it can be
considered that binder content increase has also lead to improvement of the rheological properties. It could be attributed to increased binder content which resulted in paste volume increase
and made the owability of the fresh concrete more uniform and
integrated and reduced the segregation probability.
7.2. Mechanical properties
The compressive strength and split tensile strength test results
are given in Table 7. This table presents the average of the
compressive strength as determined from two cubic specimens
and splitting tensile strength as reported from two cylindrical
specimens at each age. Increasing the MS content increased the
compressive strength considerably, especially at older ages.
Compared to control specimens, replacement by 10% MS in binary

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M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

Table 9
Results of capillary absorption by time.
No

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Concrete ID

Capillary water absorption (mm)

HPSCC400
HPSCC450
HPSCC500
HPSCC400NS2%
HPSCC450NS2%
HPSCC500NS2%
HPSCC400MS10%
HPSCC450MS10%
HPSCC500MS10%
HPSCC400MS10NS2%
HPSCC450MS10NS2%
HPSCC500MS10NS2%

Time (h)
3

Time (h)
6

Time (h)
24

Time (h)
72

2.8
2.64
2.5
2.2
2
1.8
2.1
1.9
1.7
1.9
1.7
1.5

2.82
3.5
3.4
2.7
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.2
2.16
2
1.9
1.7

6.5
5.8
5.5
3.4
3.1
2.9
3.3
3
2.9
2.8
2.5
2.1

8.6
6.9
6.6
3.6
3.3
3
3.4
3.3
3.1
2.9
2.4
2.2

mixtures increased the compressive strength for binder content of

400, 450 and 500 by 30%, 34%, 9% and 9%, 20%, 17.5%, 12% and 11%,
5.5%, 9%, 21% and 23% at 3, 7, 28 and 90 days respectively. Replacement by 2% NS in binary mixtures increased the compressive
strength for binder content of 400, 450 and 500 by 5%, 22%, 38%
and 43%, 14%, 21%, 55% and 61%, 11%, 22%, 56% and 62% at 3, 7,
28 and 90 days respectively. Replacement by 10% MS and 2% NS
in ternary mixtures increased the compressive strength for binder
content of 400, 450 and 500 by 45%, 62%, 52% and 55%, 28%,
38%,61% and 70%, 26%, 30%, 67% and 73% at 3, 7, 28 and 90 days
respectively. Generally in binary mixtures, the compressive
strength improvement was higher in the mixtures containing 2%
NS and the highest in ternary mixtures. Generally in all ages (3,
7, 28 and 90 days) ascending trends were observed in compressive
strength values by increasing the binder content. To make the results more illustrative, compressive strength results for HPSCC at
10% level of cement replacement by MS, 2% replacement by NS
and ternary blends of 10% MS and 2% NS compared to control samples at 3, 7, 28 and 90 days are shown in Fig. 7ac.
10

HPSCC,400
HPSCC,400,MS10%
HPSCC,400,NS2%
HPSCC,400,NS2%MS10%

Regarding splitting tensile strength, it can be inferred from the

results that the highest values belong to the mixtures containing
both micro and nanosilica with binder content of 500 kg/m3. Compared to control specimens, replacement by 10% MS and 2% NS in
ternary mixtures increased the splitting tensile strength for binder
content of 400, 450 and 500 by 19%, 17%, 33% and 25%, 18%, 40%, 8%
and 11%, 3.5%, 27%, 2% and 11% at 3, 7, 28 and 90 days respectively.
In the same mixtures, binder content increase has also lead to average increase of splitting tensile strength by about 4%. In general, it
may be seen from the results that the splitting tensile strength has
increased signicantly by addition of both micro and nanosilica
particles. It is also noted that the splitting tensile strength has
increased rather signicantly at more advanced ages. Strength
enhancement of the concrete could be due to the fact that SiO2
micro and nanoparticles not only behave as llers to improve the
microstructure but also as activators to accelerate pozzolanic
reactions. The higher strength achieved in concrete mixtures
containing SiO2 micro and nanoparticles is due to the rapid consumption of crystalline Ca(OH)2 which quickly are formed during
hydration of Portland cement specially at early ages as a result of
high reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles. As a consequence, the
hydration of cement is accelerated and larger volumes of reaction
products are formed. Also SiO2 nanoparticles recover the particle
packing density of the blended cement, directing to a reduced volume of larger pores in the cement paste.
7.3. Durability properties
7.3.1. Water absorption
The water absorption results of the concrete samples at different time intervals are presented in Table 8. As can be seen, increase
in binder content from 400 to 450 and 500 kg/m3 resulted in water
absorption decrease by 11.5% and 15.3% respectively at the rst
time step of water absorption (0.5 h) in the samples without any
admixtures. Water absorption decrease in the samples containing
2% NS in the rst time step appeared to be 35%, 28% and 32% for

HPSCC,450
HPSCC,450,MS10%
HPSCC,450,NS2%
HPSCC,450,NS2%MS10%

HPSCC,500
HPSCC,500,MS10%
HPSCC,500,NS2%
HPSCC,500,NS2%MS10%

Capillary absorption (mm)

1
0

10

20

30

40

50

Time (hour)
Fig. 9. Capillary absorption versus time for different mixtures.

60

70

80

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M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

Table 10
Cl ion percentage at different average depths of the concrete samples.
No

Concrete ID

Cl ion percentage
Mean of depth (mm)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

HPSCC400
HPSCC450
HPSCC500
HPSCC400NS2%
HPSCC450NS2%
HPSCC500NS2%
HPSCC400MS10%
HPSCC450MS10%
HPSCC500MS10%
HPSCC400MS10NS2%
HPSCC450MS10NS2%
HPSCC500MS10NS2%

2.5

7.5

12.5

17.5

25

4.2
3.5
2.98
2.4
2.1
2
2.3
2.1
1.7
1.6
1.4
1.3

1.7
1.5
1.4
1.1
0.9
0.85
0.81
0.78
0.4
1
0.75
0.55

0.8
0.74
0.65
0.62
0.48
0.43
0.51
0.49
0.43
0.4
0.38
0.33

0.52
0.43
0.37
0.42
0.37
0.32
0.32
0.3
0.23
0.29
0.25
0.11

0.19
0.17
0.14
0.15
0.13
0.12
0.14
0.12
0.09
0.09
0.07
0.03

binder content of 400, 450 and 500 respectively. Addition of 10%

MS resulted in water absorption decreases in the same duration
by 31%, 26% and 34% for binder content of 400, 450 and 500 respectively, which is similar to the values obtained in the mixtures containing 2% NS. The reductions in water absorption in the mixtures
containing 2% NS and 10% MS were obtained as 46%, 43% and 50%
for binder content of 400, 450 and 500 respectively, which is
noticeable and reveals the good performance of MS and NS blends
in the HPSCC mixtures.
For better understanding, water absorption values are plotted in
Fig. 8. In this gure, the inuence of different binder contents and
addition of MS and NS various on water absorption properties of
HPSCC can be seen and compared. The trends generally show desirable effect of admixtures especially micro and nanosilica blends on
water absorption properties of the HPSCC samples. With this respect, more desirable performances were observed in the mixtures
containing 10% MS and 2% NS with binder content of 500 kg/m3.

7.3.2. Capillary water absorption

The capillary water absorption results of the HPSCC samples at
different time intervals are presented in Table 9. The results show
that the height of absorbed water in the concrete samples has decreased by increasing the binder content from 400 to 500 and addition of MS and NS admixtures. Increase in binder content from 400
to 450 and 500 lead to capillary water absorption from 2.8 to 2.64
and 2.5 mm during 3 h and from 8.6 to 6.9 and 6.6 mm during 72 h
respectively, which the capillary water height decreases seem
more signicant at longer times. It may be due to the fact that
the samples fully dried in the oven have more tendency to absorb
water at earlier times, however at longer times the effect of binder
content and MS and NS admixtures comes to be revealed more and
the results considered to be more realistic and reliable. Addition of
2% NS resulted in capillary water absorption of 3.6, 3.3 and 3 mm
for binder content of 400, 450 and 500 respectively during 72 h
for which the reductions of 58%, 52% and 54% compared to the
mixtures without any admixture can be considered. Addition of
10% MS with binder content of 400, 450 and 500 resulted in capillary water absorption decrease by 60%, 52% and 53% respectively
during 72 h compared to the mixtures without any admixture.
The same reductions observed for mixtures containing blend of
2% NS and 10% MS were 66%, 65% and 66% respectively. As can
be seen, the water proong effects of MS and NS on HPSCC tend
to appear more obviously in the mixtures containing both MS
and NS with higher binder content. As can be inferred from the
water absorption results, this performance may be attributed to
the more packed and rened microstructure and pore structure
of the concrete achieved by addition of MS and NS.
In order to make the results more illustrative, the results of capillary water absorption versus time are plotted in Fig. 9. As is clear
from the curves, the mixture containing MS and NS blends with
binder content of 500 has the lowest capillary water absorption
values.

4.5
HSCC,400
HPSCC,400,MS10%
HPSCC,400,NS2%
HPSCC,400,NS2%MS10%

HPSCC,450
HPSCC,450,MS10%
HPSCC,450,NS2%
HPSCC,450,NS2%MS10%

HPSCC,500
HPSCC,500,MS10%
HPSCC,500,NS2%
HPSCC,500,NS2%MS10%

3.5

Cl ion percentage

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0

10

15

20

Average of Depth (mm)

Fig. 10. Percentage of Cl ion by depth of the concrete samples for different mixtures.

25

30

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M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

7.3.3. Cl ion percentage

In this test, the Cl ion percentage has been determined as a fraction of the concrete sample weight. Presented in Table 10 are the results of Cl ion percentage at different depths of the concrete samples.
The results show a general decrease in Cl ion percentage by depth of
concrete sample which conveys the fact that the concrete ingredients especially aggregates are clear from Cl ions. In depth of 0
5 mm, increase in binder content from 400 to 450 and 500 in the
samples without any admixture resulted in reductions of Cl ion
amount by 16.6% and 29% respectively. In depth of 05 mm of the
samples containing 2% NS, Cl ion percentage decreased by 43, 40
and 43% for binder contents of 400, 450 and 500 respectively. The
reductions in the samples containing 10% MS were obtained as
52%, 40% and 43% for the above-mentioned binder contents respectively. The samples containing 10% MS + 2% NS showed signicant Cl
ion percentage decrease as 62%, 60% and 56% for the above-mentioned binder contents respectively. As can be considered, MS and
NS admixtures have resulted in relatively signicant decrease in Cl
ion percentage which may be in virtue of more rened pore structure of the concrete obtained by addition of the admixtures especially nanoparticles and pozzolanic effect of this material.
The results of Cl ion percentage versus average depth of the concrete sample for different binder contents and admixture amounts
are plotted in Fig. 10. The curves obviously show descending trends
by increase in depth. Comparison is easier in lower depths, however
Table 11
Results of electrical resistivity for different mixtures.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Concrete ID

Resistivity (X m)

HPSCC400
HPSCC450
HPSCC500
HPSCC400NS2%
HPSCC450NS2%
HPSCC500NS2%
HPSCC400MS10%
HPSCC450MS10%
HPSCC500MS10%
HPSCC400MS10NS2%
HPSCC450MS10NS2%
HPSCC500MS10NS2%

7 (days)

28 (days)

90 (days)

47
49
54
47
53
77
44
49
73
89
95
125

72
89
95
128
162
223
121
151
211
157
216
320

110
120
144
402
423
478
313
388
541
437
523
589

HPSCC, 400
HPSCC,400,MS10%
HPSCC,400,NS2%
HPSCC,400,NS2%MS10%

720

620

7.3.4. Resistivity
Considering the results presented in Table 11, at earlier ages
(7 days) with different binder contents and admixture amounts,
corrosion is probable. However, at higher ages by increase in
binder content and addition of MS and NS admixtures, probability
of corrosion occurrence decreases and approaches to the improbable level. Only for the mixtures with binder content of 400 and
without any admixture, at the age of 90 days, the electrical resistivity results fall in the range where corrosion is probable. In the
mixtures containing 2% NS, 10% MS and 10% MS + 2% NS, the
increase in electrical resistivity values are considerable and according to Table 5, the corrosion tend to become impossible. As can be
inferred from the results, resistivity values for the mixture with
binder content of 500 and without admixture obtained as 54, 95
and 144 at the ages of 7, 28 and 90 days respectively. The resistivity values for the mixture with the same binder content containing
2% NS and 10% MS increased from 125 at the age of 7 days to 320
and 589 at the ages of 28 and 90 days respectively, which are
considered to be outstanding.
In order to make the results comparison more convenient, the
resistivity results versus time are plotted in Fig. 11. It is noted from
the gure that by passing time, the resistivity values have
increased. The resistivity curves also show incremental trends by
increasing the binder content. It can be deduced from the resistivity curves that although both binder content and admixture factors
seem to be effective on resistivity values of HPSCC, however the
role of MS and NS admixtures appears to be much more inuential.
It is clear from Fig. 11 that the highest resistivity belongs to the
HPSCC500MS10NS2% mixture.

HPSCC, 450
HPSCC,450,MS10%
HPSCC,450,NS2%
HPSCC,450,NS2%MS10%

HPSCC, 500
HPSCC,500,MS10%
HPSCC,500,NS2%
HPSCC,500,NS2%MS10%

520

Resistivity (.m)

No

at longer depth, the curves get closer together and the differences
become smaller. According to this gure, again it is conrmed that
the mixture with binder content of 500 containing NS and MS has
the most desirable durability performance.
Two aspects may be noticed from the results obtained. Less Cl
ion content at longer depth of the specimens shows less contamination of the materials used, since concrete at longer depth is less
exposed to the outer environment and instead more affected by
materials forming the concrete such as aggregates. It also shows
more water tightness of the concrete which has lead to less penetration of the chloride into longer depth.

420

320

220

120

20
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

time (days)
Fig. 11. Resistivity versus time for different mixtures.

70

80

90

100

M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

399

is contained in a cube pattern, therefore the distance between

nanoparticles can be determined. After the hydration begins, hydrate products diffuse and envelop nanoparticles as kernels [30].
If the content of nanoparticles and the distance between them
are appropriate, the crystallization will be controlled to be a suitable state through restricting the growth of Ca(OH)2 crystals by
nanoparticles. Moreover, the nanoparticles located in cement paste
as kernels can further promote cement hydration due to their high
activity. This makes the cement matrix more homogeneous and
compact. Consequently, the pore structure of concrete is improved
evidently such as the concrete containing nano-SiO2 in the amount
of 1% by weight of binder [30].
On the whole, the addition of SiO2 micro and especially nanoparticles improves the pore structure of concrete. On one hand,
nanoparticles can act as a ller to enhance the density of concrete,
which this fact reduces the porosity of concrete signicantly. On
the other hand, nanoparticles can not only act as an activator to
accelerate cement hydration due to their high activity, but also
act as kernels in cement paste which makes the size of Ca(OH)2
crystal smaller and the tropism more stochastic [16].
The enhancement of compressive strength and splitting tensile
strength in the MS + NS blended HPSCC is due to the rapid consuming of Ca(OH)2 which was formed during hydration of Portland
cement specially at early ages related to the high reactivity of NS
particles. As a consequence, the hydration of cement is accelerated
and larger volumes of reaction products are formed. Also NS particles recover the particle packing density of the blended cement,
directing to a reduced volume of larger pores in the cement paste.
Fig. 12ad shows respectively the scanning electron micrographs
(SEM) of HPSCC without admixture, with 10% MS, with 2% NS,
and with 10% MS + 2% NS after 7 days (series 1) and 90 days (series
2) of curing in water. CSH gel which is existed in isolation is
enclosed by some of needle-hydrates in the SEM of cement paste
(Fig. 12a). On the other hand, the micrograph of the mixture containing MS (Fig. 12b) and especially NS (Fig. 12c and d) revealed
a compact formation of hydration products and a reduced content
of Ca(OH)2 crystals. Fig. 12c and d shows a more compact microstructure after all days of curing which indicate rapid formation
of CSH gel in presence of SiO2 nanoparticles.

8. Conclusion
The results obtained in this study can be summarized as
follows:

Fig. 12. SEM micrographs of HPSCC mixtures (a) without admixtures, (b) with 10%
MS, (c) with 2% NS and (d) with 10% MS + 2% NS at 7 days (series 1) and 90 days
(series 2).

Based on the results gained in this study, paste volume increase

in HPSCC mixtures might be considered to have preventive effect
on corrosion occurrence, since resistivity values have decreased
by paste volume increase. It could also be concluded that MS and
NS admixtures may be considered as corrosion inhibitors in HPSCC
which is accounted for as a signicant durability aspect in many
environments and applications.
7.4. Microstructure
The mechanism that the nanoparticles improve the pore structure of concrete can be interpreted as follows [30]: Suppose that
nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in concrete and each particle

Addition of micro and nanosilica materials improved the consistency of the HPSCC and reduced the probability of bleeding and
segregation.
Increase in binder content from 400 kg/m3 to 450 and 500 kg/m3
improved all rheological properties which could be due to paste
volume increase.
Compressive and splitting tensile strengths improved rather signicantly in the mixtures containing SiO2 micro and nanoparticles which may be due to accelerated CSH gel formation as a
result of increased crystalline Ca(OH)2 amount at the early ages.
Strength enhancement was achieved by increasing the binder
content.
Both water absorption and capillary absorption results showed
rather signicant decreases by addition of admixtures especially blend of micro and nanomaterials for binder content of
500 kg/m3.
The resistivity results showed increases at higher ages, especially for the mixtures containing higher percentages of admixtures. Binder content increase also had an increasing effect on
the resistivity values.

400

M. Jalal et al. / Materials and Design 34 (2012) 389400

Cl ion percentage decreased by depth, by addition of SiO2 micro

and nanoparticles and by binder content increase which could
be as a result of more packed microstructure achieved by addition of nanoparticles and paste volume increase.
According to the SEM micrographs, more rened microstructure
and smaller pores may be achieved by addition of SiO2 micro and
nanoparticles, which can lead to enhanced mechanical, durability and microstructural properties of the HPSCC mixtures.

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