ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL

TECHNICAL PAPER

Title no. 98-M31

Effect of Mixture Composition on Washout Resistance of

Highly Flowable Underwater Concrete
by Kamal H. Khayat and Mohammed Sonebi
The underwater casting of relatively thin lifts of concrete in water
requires the proportioning of highly flowable concrete that can
resist water dilution and segregation and spread readily into place.
An investigation was carried out to determine the effects of antiwashout admixture concentration, water-cementitious materials
ratio, and binder composition on the washout resistance of highly
flowable concrete.
Two main types of antiwashout admixtures were used: 1) a powdered welan gum at concentrations of 0.07 and 0.15% (by mass of
binder); and 2) a liquid-based cellulosic admixture with dosages
up to 1.65 L /100 kg of binder. The water-cementitious materials
ratios were set at 0.41 and 0.47, corresponding to high-quality
underwater concrete. Four binder compositions were used: a standard Canadian Type 10 cement, the same cement with 10% silica
fume replacement, the cement with 50% granulated blast-furnace
slag replacement, and a ternary cement containing 6% silica fume
and 20% Class F fly ash. The concentrations of anti-washout
admixture have direct impact on washout resistance. For a given
washout loss, greater slump flow consistency can be achieved with
the increases in anti-washout admixture concentration and
decreases in water-binder ratio. The washout mass loss can be
reduced, for a given consistency, when the ternary binder or 10%
silica fume replacement is used.
Keywords: admixture; fly ash; granulated blast-furnace slag; silica fume;
slump; water-reducing admixture (high-range).

INTRODUCTION
Anti-washout admixtures (AWAs) are used to enhance the
stability of fresh cement-based systems, including underwater concrete. Several researchers have reported improvement
in washout resistance and in-place properties of underwatercast concrete when the concrete incorporates AWAs.1-3
Such admixtures are also used in self-consolidating concrete
to enhance resistance to bleeding, segregation, and surface
settlement.
Commonly used AWAs include cellulose derivatives and
polysaccharides of microbial sources.4-6 The mode of action
of AWA depends on the type and concentration of the polymer. For example, welan gum is believed to increase the viscosity of mixing water as long-chain polymer molecules
adhere to the periphery of water molecules, thus imbibing
and fixing part of the mixing water and enhancing the paste
viscosity.7 This can improve the capacity of the paste to suspend solid particles and retain free water. Concrete modified
with AWA exhibits higher yield value and plastic viscosity
compared with non-AWA concrete. 6 High-range waterreducing admixture (HRWR) is added to reduce the yield
value of AWA concrete. The increase in HRWR and AWA
dosages could secure flowable concrete of relatively low
yield value and moderate-to-high plastic viscosity of high
washout resistance. Mixtures containing AWA can exhibit
shear-thinning behavior, whereby the apparent viscosity
ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

decreases with the shear rate that facilitates pumping and

placement. The shear-thinning behavior is affected by the
water content and the type and dosage rate of the AWA.
Anti-washout concrete can be highly thixotropic, whereby a
relatively fast buildup of viscosity can be observed at a given
shear rate. Such thixotropy can contribute to stability of
freshly cast concrete, including the resistance to water erosion
of exposed surfaces.
Several of the relevant mixture properties necessary for
successful underwater placement contradict one another.
Such concrete should therefore be tailored to achieve good
balance between mixture parameters that have direct bearing
on rheological properties and performance of the hardened
concrete. With sound mixture proportioning and proper
combinations of HRWR and AWA, it is possible to secure
high-performance concrete for underwater applications.8-9
Slump flow consistency is often used to assess deformability
of highly flowable concrete. For underwater concrete, the slump
flow is influenced, in order of importance, by the AWA
concentration and binder content, by the water-cementitious
materials ratio (w/cm), and by HRWR dosage.10 The washout
mass loss is affected by, in order of importance, the AWA
dosage, binder content, w/cm, and HRWR concentration.
The w/cm has direct bearing on stability of fresh concrete
and mechanical properties. For underwater AWA concrete,
the Standards of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE)
recommend limiting the w/cm to 0.50 and 0.55 when casting
reinforced concrete in seawater and in fresh water, respectively;
these values can be 0.60 and 0.65, respectively, for nonreinforced concrete.11
The use of supplementary cementitious materials has direct
bearing on workability and stability of fresh concrete. For
example, the substitution of cement mass by 8% silica fume
or by 20% Class F fly ash can enhance washout resistance,
compared with concrete made without any supplementary
cementitious materials. For concrete with 0.41 w/cm and a
slump of 230 mm, the incorporation of 8% of silica fume is
reported to reduce washout loss, segregation coefficient, and
surface settlement by as much as 6, 65, and 50%, respectively,
compared with concrete with 100% cement.12 In the case of
concrete with 20% fly ash replacement, the washout loss,
segregation coefficient, and surface settlement were found
to decrease by as much as 6, 40, and 65%, respectively,
compared with concrete without supplementary cementitious
materials.12
ACI Materials Journal, V. 98, No. 4, July-August 2001.
MS No. 00-124 received June 5, 2000, and reviewed under Institute publication policies. Copyright 2001, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved, including
the making of copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors.
Pertinent discussion will be published in the May-June 2002 ACI Materials Journal if
received by February 1, 2002.

289

ACI member Kamal H. Khayat is a professor of civil engineering at the Universit de

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. He is a member of ACI Committee 234, Silica Fume in
Concrete; 236, Materials Science of Concrete; and 552, Geotechnical Cement Grouting. His research interests include high-performance concrete, self-consolidating concrete, rheology, and repair.
ACI member Mohammed Sonebi is a lecturer at the Advanced Concrete and
Masonry Center, Division of Civil Engineering and Construction, University of Paisley, Scotland. He received his PhD in civil engineering from the Universit de Sherbrooke. His research interests include underwater concrete, self-consolidating
concrete, and rheology.

The objective of the study presented herein is to investigate the coupled effect of AWA concentration, w/cm, and
supplementary cementitious materials on the variations of
washout resistance with the fluidity of underwater concrete.
Such high-performance concrete is targeted for use in underwater construction and repair.
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
Ensuring high washout resistance is essential to secure
proper in-place performance of underwater cast concrete.
The results presented in this paper deal with the effects of
AWA type and concentration, w/cm, and binder composition
on slump flow consistency and washout resistance of highperformance concrete. Such data are critical given the increasing
demand to secure quality repairs underwater and the higher
environmental constraints to limit water pollution resulting
from such operations.
MATERIALS
This study used a Type 10 Canadian cement (CSA3-A5M83) similar to ASTM Type I cement, a nondensified silica
fume, a Class F fly ash (ASTM C 618-84), and a granulated
blast-furnace slag. The specific gravity values of the silica
fume, fly ash, and granulated blast-furnace slag were 2.22,
2.53, and 2.88, respectively. The Blaine fineness of the cement,

fly ash, and ground blast-furnace slag were 380, 360, and
450 m2/kg, respectively.
A continuously graded crushed limestone aggregate with
nominal particle size of 14 mm and a well-graded siliceous
sand with fineness modulus of 2.5 were used. The values of
bulk specific gravity of the coarse aggregate and sand were
2.72 and 2.66, respectively, with absorption levels of 0.3 and
1.2%, respectively.
Powdered welan gum and a liquid-based cellulosic material
with 1.20 specific gravity were used for the AWA. A naphthalene-based HRWR conforming to CSA3-A266-2-M85
with solid content of 42% and specific gravity of 1.21 was
used in AWA mixtures containing welan gum and those
without any AWA. A melamine-based HRWR was used in
mixtures made with the cellulose-based AWA. The solid
content and specific gravity of this HRWR are 40% and 1.20,
respectively. A carboxylic hydroxide acid conforming to
CSA3-A266-2-M78 was incorporated to enhance fluidity retention of the AWA concrete.
MIXTURE PROPORTIONS
As summarized in Table 1, the investigated mixtures were
prepared with w/cm of 0.41 and 0.47, corresponding to highperformance concrete used for underwater construction and
repair. As indicated in Table 1, the concentrations of welan
gum were varied between 0.07 and 0.15% (by mass of binder), which represent low to moderate dosages for underwater
concrete application. The dosages of the cellulosic AWA
ranged between 1 and 1.65 L/100 kg of cementitious materials, representing moderate to high values.
The sand-to-aggregate mass ratio was fixed at 0.46. All
mixtures incorporated high binder contents to limit aggregate volume to approximately 300 L/m3 to enhance flow
characteristics in restricted areas. High binder content can
reduce the HRWR and AWA demand necessary to secure
given levels of fluidity and stability, with direct impact on

Table 1Concrete mixture proportions

w/cm = 0.41
Materials

100% C

Cement, kg/m3

592

530

473

Silica fume, kg/m3

58

kg/m3

w/cm = 0.47

6% SF +
10% SF 20% FA 50% SL

6% SF +
20% FA 50% SL

100% C

10% SF

296

557

497

439

278

55

119

109

Granulated blast-furnace
slag, kg/m3

296

278

water, kg/m3

243

241

243

243

262

261

261

258

Coarse aggregate, kg/m3

816

810

817

819

830

822

838

827

693

690

694

698

707

700

698

706

85

85

85

85

85

85

85

85

Fly ash,

Sand,

kg/m3

Set retarder, mL/100 kg

of CM
Naphthalene-based
HRWR, L/m3
Welan gum AWA,
% mass of CM

1.6 to 8.2 4.2 to 9.8 5.9 to 9.4 2.1 to 5.9 0.0 to 3.1 3.2 to 5.6 4.0 to 7.0 0.7 to 2.8
0.07*

0.07

0.07

0.07

0.07

0.07

0.07

0.07

0.15

0.15

0.15

0.15

0.15

0.15

Melamine-based HRWR,
1.4 to 2.0 2.5 to 4.1 1.9 to 3.9 0.0 to 2.6 0.0 to 1.5 3.1 to 4.5 1.0 to 3.0 0.0 to 1.7
L/m3
Cellulose AWA,
L/100 kg of CM
*0.07%
0.15%

290

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0 to 1.65

1.0

1.0

1.65

binder = 0.17% of water for w/cm = 0.41 and 0.15% of water for w/cm = 0.47.
binder = 0.37% of water for w/cm = 0.41 and 0.32% of water for w/cm = 0.47.

ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

cost.13 High-volume replacements of cement by fly ash or

granulated blast-furnace slag were chosen to enhance performance and limit temperature rise.
SPECIMEN PREPARATION AND TESTING
All mixtures were prepared in 67 L batches using an open
pan mixer. The batching sequence consisted of mixing the
sand and cementitious materials, then adding 75% of the
mixing water with half of the HRWR. The coarse aggregate
was then added, along with the remaining water. The powdered
welan gum was premixed with part of the mixing water
(at 1% solution), and both liquid-based AWAs were added
last to the mixer. The concrete was mixed for 3 min., followed by 1 min. of rest, and remixed for two more minutes.
The ambient temperature during mixing and sampling was
fixed at 21 3 C.
The consistency was evaluated using the noted slump and
slump flow tests 1 min. following the removal of the slump
cone. The slump flow corresponded to the mean base diameter of the concrete at the end of the slump test. The washout
mass loss was determined in compliance with CRD C6189A.14 The test consists of casting approximately 2 kg of
fresh concrete in a perforated basket and subjecting it to a
free fall drop in 1.7 m of water. Cumulative loss in mass is
reported after three drops in water.
TEST PROGRAM
The experimental program involving a total of 24 mixtures is
summarized in Table 2. The study was undertaken to determine
the effect of AWA dosage on the variations in washout loss with
consistency. This was carried out for mixtures with w/cm of
0.41 and 0.47 made with 100% cement, 10% silica fume, 6%
silica fume and 20% fly ash, and 50% granulated blast-furnace
slag replacements. These mixtures are referred to as 100% C,
10% SF, 6% SF + 20% FA, and 50% SL, respectively.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Summarized in Table 3 and 4 are the measured slump and
slump flow consistency and washout loss values of mixtures
made with welan gum and cellulosic AWA, with w/cm of
0.41. Table 5 gives these results for mixtures prepared with
Table 2Summary of experimental program
Relationship

w/cm

0.41

Washout loss versus

slump flow

0.47

Type of CM

AWA type dosage

w/cm of 0.47. The relationship between slump and slump

flow for all tested mixtures is shown in Fig. 1. The slump
flow is shown to be more sensitive than the slump measurement in reflecting appreciable increases in consistency of
highly flowable concrete. The effect of the increase in consistency on washout resistance is expressed in terms of
slump flow values for the remainder of the results.
High-range water-reducing admixture demand
The initial slump flow of the investigated mixtures was
limited to 550 to 600 mm, which is lower than values found
for self-consolidating concrete cast above water (slump
flow of 600 to 700 mm). Slump flow values greater than
600 mm for underwater concrete would greatly reduce
stability or necessitate much greater cost to ensure proper
washout resistance. The HRWR demand of mixtures prepared
Table 3Results of mixtures with 0.41 w/cm and
welan gum
HRWR,*
Slump, Slump Washout
Type of CM
L/m3 AWA type dosage mm flow, mm loss, %
Control
100% C

0.7

205

345

9.1

1.3

235

400

14.6

2.0

245

440

24.8

4.0

270

585

45.8

2.7

210

375

6.2

240

470

6.4

260

555

9.1

265

600

29.4

245

435

3.0

255

500

6.2

8.2

265

550

7.6

4.2

210

315

6.9

220

380

9.8

225

415

11.5

8.0

250

490

19.8

5.0

240

405

1.7

260

520

5.3

7.7

270

605

8.2

5.9

240

460

6.0

250

515

7.6

265

590

10.8

3.5

100% C

None

4.5

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

5.2
4.9
100% C

7.5

5.1

10% SF

6.3

10% SF

6.5

6% SF +
20% FA

7.2
8.2

Welan gum
(0.15% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.15% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

100% C

None

9.4

270

635

11.8

100% C

Welan gum 0.07, 0.15

6.0

220

420

1.8

10% SF

Welan gum 0.07, 0.15

6.9

240

450

2.8

6% SF + 20% FA

Welan gum 0.07, 0.15

250

490

4.1

50% SL

Welan gum 0.07, 0.15

8.5

260

560

6.0

100% C

Cellulosic 1.0

9.3

265

580

7.7

10% SF

Cellulosic 1.0

2.1

220

405

10.0

6% SF + 20% FA

Cellulosic 1.0

230

440

10.1

50% SL

Cellulosic 1.0

245

490

10.5

100% C

Welan gum 0.07, 0.15

4.3

265

540

12.5

10% SF

Welan gum 0.07, 0.15

5.4

270

675

36.6

6% SF + 20% FA

Welan gum 0.07

3.1

220

410

2.9

50% SL

Welan gum 0.07

3.9

230

450

3.6

100% C

Cellulosic 1.0, 1.65

250

510

5.8

10% SF

Cellulosic 1.0

5.4

260

550

7.3

6% SF + 20% FA

Cellulosic 1.0

5.9

265

600

11.0

50% SL

Cellulosic 1.0

ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

6% SF +
20% FA

7.8

Welan gum
(0.15% of CM)

2.9
50% SL

50% SL

*High-range

3.6

4.6

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.15% of CM)

water-reducing admixture.

291

with 0.41 w/cm containing welan gum ranged between 2.7

and 9.4 L/m3, and those with cellulosic AWA ranged between
0 and 4.1 L/m 3, respectively. With 0.47 w/cm, the HRWR
demand of mixtures containing welan and cellulosic AWA
ranged from 0 to 7 L/m3 and 0 to 4.5 L/m3, respectively.
The HRWR demand required to secure a targeted slump
flow of 450 mm for mixtures with each AWA is plotted in
Fig. 2 and 3. As expected, the increase in AWA dosage
necessitated greater addition of HRWR to maintain a
fixed slump flow. For example, the increase of welan gum
from 0.07 to 0.15% in the 100% C mixture required 2.2 L/m3
of additional HRWR. Concrete with 10% SF and concrete
with 6% SF + 20% FA required, respectively, 3.8 and 2.6 L/m3
greater HRWR dosage when prepared with 0.07% welan
gum and 0.41 w/cm. On the other hand, the use of 50%
SL reduced the HRWR demand by 0.3 and 1.6 L/m 3 for
mixtures with 0.07 and 0.15% welan gum, respectively.
Effect of AWA content on variations of washout
loss with consistency
The impact of the dosage of welan gum and cellulosebased AWA on the variations of washout with slump flow
for the 100% C concrete are illustrated in Fig. 4 and 5, respectively. Similar data are reported in Fig. 6 for mixtures

made with welan gum and supplementary cementitious materials. For a given w/cm, the increase in slump flow consistency by adding HRWR resulted in higher washout loss,
regardless of the dosage of AWA. This was especially the
case for concrete with no AWA or with low AWA dosage.
For a given AWA, additional HRWR can reduce yield value
and affect stability of the fresh concrete. This leads to the increase in free water content that reduces the ability of the
paste to retain water and suspended solid particles and fines.
For any given consistency, the increase in welan gum dosage from 0 to 0.15% or in cellulosic AWA from 1 L/100 kg
to 1.65 L/100 kg of cementitious materials resulted in a substantial reduction in washout loss. For example, for the
100% C concrete made with 0.41 w/cm and having a slump
flow of 450 mm, a reduction of 27 to 6% in washout loss was
observed with the increase of welan gum content from 0 to
0.07%. Further increases in welan gum to 0.15% yielded
limited enhancement in washout resistance.
For a given washout loss of 9%, an increase in welan gum
from 0 to 0.07% and to 0.15% for concrete with 0.41 w/cm
can enable the casting of concrete with slump flow increased
from 350 mm (slump of 210 mm) to 525 and 565 mm (slump of
255 and 265 mm), respectively. Therefore, the critical consistency beyond which sharp increases in washout loss occur can
be extended with further additions of AWA. This is due to the
increase in viscosity and water-retention capacity of the paste.

Fig. 2Effect of cementitious materials combination and

w/cm on HRWR demand of mixtures made with welan gum
and fixed slump flow of 450 mm.

Fig. 1Relationship between slump and slump flow.

Table 4Results of mixtures with 0.41 w/cm and

cellulosic AWA
Type of CM

HRWR,*
Slump, Slump Washout
L/m3 AWA type dosage mm flow, mm loss, %
1.4

100% C

2.0
2.5

10% SF

3.5
4.1
1.9

6% SF +
20% FA

3.2
3.9
0.0

50% SL

1.9
2.6

Cellulosic AWA
(1.0 L/100 kg
CM)
Cellulosic AWA
(1.0 L/100 kg
CM)
Cellulosic AWA
(1.0 L/100 kg
CM)
Cellulosic AWA
(1.0 L/100 kg
CM)

High-range water-reducing admixture.

292

255

465

5.9

265

555

8.5

240

400

3.6

255

510

5.9

265

535

6.4

240

400

3.6

270

490

4.1

275

555

4.8

240

380

3.7

260

525

6.4

275

610

8.6

Fig. 3Effect of cementitious materials combination and w/

cm on HRWR demand of mixtures made with cellulosic AWA
and fixed slump flow of 450 mm (1 L = 1 L/100 kg CM).
ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

Effect of w/cm on relationships between washout

loss and consistency
The effect of reducing the w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41 to
enhance washout resistance of mixtures with 100% C
containing welan gum and those with 6% SF + 20% FA and
50% SL are illustrated in Fig. 4 and 7, respectively. For any
given consistency, the reduction of w/cm led to significant
enhancements in washout resistance. For example, for concrete
with 0.07% welan gum proportioned for a constant slump
flow of 500 mm, the decrease in w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41
resulted in a reduction of washout loss from approximately
15 to 7%, 14 to 7%, and 19 to 11% for the 100% C, 6% SF
+ 20% FA, and 50% SL mixtures, respectively.

Effect of binder composition

The influence of binder composition on the variations of
washout with slump flow consistency is presented in Fig. 8
and 9. For the majority of mixtures, the incorporation of 10%
SF, 6% SF + 20% FA, or 50% SL resulted in improvements
in washout resistance regardless of w/cm. For a given slump
flow, the 6% SF + 20% FA concrete exhibited greater washout resistance. For example, for a high slump flow of 550 mm,
concrete containing 6% SF + 20% FA with 0.41 w/cm and
0.15% welan gum or 1 L/100 kg cellulosic AWA can exhibit
washout losses of 5.8 and 4.8%, respectively, compared with
Table 5Results of mixtures with 0.47 w/cm
HRWR,*
Slump, Slump Washout
Type of CM
L/m3 AWA type dosage mm flow, mm loss, %
0.5
100% C

100% C

10% SF

Fig. 4Effect of w/cm and welan gum dosage on variations

of washout loss with slump flow for mixtures made with
100% C.

Washout loss (%)

50

10% SF

100% cement - W/CM = 0.41

Cellulosic AWA

40
AWA = 0%

Increasing
HRWR

30

6% SF +
20% FA

20
AWA = 1.0 l/100 kg CM

10

AWA = 1.65 l/100 kg CM

50% SL
0
300

350

400

450
500
Slump flow (mm)

550

600

650

Fig. 5Effect of cellulosic AWA content on variations of

washout loss with slump flow for concrete made 100% C
and 0.41 w/cm.

Washout loss (%)

25

(675 mm, 37%)

0.07% AWA

W/CM = 0.41
AWA = Welan gum

100% C

0.15% AWA

20
50% SL

15

100% C

10% SF

Increasing
HRWR

6% SF + 20% FA

10% SF

6% SF +
20% FA

400

450
500
550
Slump flow (mm)

600

650

Fig. 6Effect of welan gum dosage and binder composition on

variations of washout loss with slump flow for mixtures with
0.41 w/cm.
ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

11.9
13.8

535

17.8

0.0

180

305

3.0

0.4

200

350

5.2

230

430

8.1

2.0

245

460

10.0

3.1

270

550

15.2

3.2

190

390

8.4

220

440

9.9

250

480

39.0

5.6

255

525

52.7

3.6

190

300

1.7

225

380

4.1

250

440

4.9

5.1

265

500

6.3

4.0

220

410

7.9

245

460

9.7

250

500

13.9

7.0

270

610

30.0

0.7

220

400

9.8

225

420

14.4

1.4

4.0
5.0

4.1
4.6

5.0
5.9

1.2
1.8

Welan gum
(0.15% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.15% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

240

465

15.6

2.8

245

550

22.6

0.0

205

350

4.8

0.1

220

400

5.7

245

430

6.3

250

460

7.1

0.35

250

480

7.8

0.5

255

530

8.4

0.0

230

430

3.7

260

500

4.0

270

570

4.8

240

420

3.7

270

490

5.6

275

520

6.0

250

405

4.4

265

505

6.3

270

565

7.4

275

510

4.1

280

545

4.3

280

595

4.7

0.2
0.25

1.0

3.9

2.3
0.0

50% SL

9.7

475
490

3.0

700

430

240
260

1.0

6% SF + 20% FA

220
250

4.5

50% SL

Welan gum
(0.07% of CM)

2.9

3.1
10% SF

350

1.7

1.5

10

0
300

0.9

1.0
1.7

Cellulosic AWA
(1.0 L/100 kg
CM)

Cellulosic AWA
(1.65 L/100 kg
CM)
Cellulosic AWA
(1.0 L/100 kg
CM)
Cellulosic AWA
(1.0 L/100 kg
CM)
Cellulosic AWA
(1.65 L/100 kg
CM)

High-range water-reducing admixture.

293

similar concrete with 100% C having washout losses of

7.6% and 8.5%, respectively. The improvement in washout resistance of the 6% SF + 20% FA concrete can be due
to the enhancement of packing density of the binder and
the improvement of cohesiveness of the paste resulting from
greater retention of free water. This reduces the tendency of
fines to migrate out of the matrix with washed-out water
upon casting.
The substitution of 10% cement by silica fume resulted in
substantial reduction in washout loss. For any given slump flow,
the 10% SF concrete with 0.41 w/cm containing 0.15% welan
gum or 1 L/100 kg cellulosic AWA exhibited better washout resistance compared with similar concrete with 100% C.
(525 mm, 53%)

Welan gum = 0.07%

30

10% SF
6% SF + 20% FA

W/CM = 0.47

20

Increasing
HRWR

10

10% SF

50% SL

6% SF + 20% FA

0
300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

700

Slump flow (mm)

Fig. 7Effect of w/cm and binder composition on variations of washout loss with slump flow.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this study, the following conclusions appear to be warranted:
1. The measurement of slump flow is more sensitive in reflecting changes in consistency of highly flowable AWA
(41%)

10% SF
100% C

10
5
0

600

650

Fig. 8Variations of washout loss with slump flow for mixtures made with different binder types (w/cm = 0.41 and
0.15% welan gum).

(41%)

30

10% SF

15

Fig. 9Variations of washout loss with slump flow for mixtures

made with different binder types (w/cm = 0.41; 1.0 L/100 kg of
cementitious materials of cellulosic AWA).

L
-1

%
50

FA
0%

SF

+2

SL

-1

-1

L
%
10
6%

-1
C
0%

SF

.6

-1

-1

0%

C
10

SF

10

0%

6%

650

SL

-1

-0

600

450
500
550
Slump flow (mm)

10

0%

400

6% SF + 20% FA

10

2
350

W/CM = 0.47

W/CM = 0.41

10

550 mm

50

100% C

450 mm

20

Increasing
HRWR

25

-1

50% SL

Cellulosic AWA

FA

W/CM = 0.41
Cellulosic AWA = 1.0 l/100 kg CM

Washout loss (%)

Washout loss (%)

Fig. 10Comparison of washout losses of various mixtures with

slump flow of 450 and 550 mm containing welan gum AWA.

0%

550

+2

500

Slump flow (mm)

10
0%
0% C-0
%
C
-0
10
0% .07
%
C
-0
10
.1
%
SF 5%
-0
6% 10
.0
7%
SF %S
F
6% +20 -0.
15
%
SF
%
F
+2 A0% 0.0
7
F
%
5 0 A-0
.1
%
S L 5%
-0
50
.0
%
SL 7%
-0
10
0% .15
%
C
-0
10
0% .07
%
C
-0
10
.1
%
SF 5%
-0
6% 10
.
SF %S 07%
+2 F-0
0% .1
5%
F
5 0 A-0
.0
%
S L 7%
-0
.0
7%

450

10

0
400

294

W/CM = 0.47

15

10

550 mm

W/CM = 0.41

20

6% SF + 20% FA

450 mm

25

-1

Increasing
HRWR

50% SL

(53%)

Welan gum AWA

SF

Washout loss (%)

10

W/CM = 0.41
Welan gum = 0.15%

Washout loss (%)

30

12

Washout loss (%)

50% SL
W/CM = 0.41

Comparison of washout losses for given slump

flow consistency
The levels of washout loss of various mixtures made with
welan gum and cellulosic AWA are compared in Fig. 10 and
11 for slump flows of 450 and 550 mm, respectively. With
the higher slump flow consistency of 550 mm corresponding
to self-consolidating, underwater concrete, lower washout
losses were secured with the 0.41 w/cm mixture made with
6% SF + 20% FA and higher concentrations of AWA. For
the 450 mm slump flow level, the concrete with the silica
fume and fly ash again exhibited the lowest washout losses
of approximately 3 and 4% in mixtures containing 0.15%
welan gum and 1 L/100 kg cellulosic AWA, respectively.

10

40

At the relatively low welan gum content of 0.07%, the

50% SL concrete exhibited lower washout resistance than
the remaining mixtures. The high substitution of cement by
granulated blast-furnace slag capable of retaining less water
than cement, silica fume, or fly ash can result in a greater
volume of free water and higher risk of water dilution. With
the increase in welan gum content to 0.15%, the 50% SL
mixture exhibited slightly lower washout loss than the 100%
C concrete.

Fig. 11Comparison of washout mass losses of various

mixtures with slump flow of 450 and 550 mm containing
cellulosic AWA.
ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

concrete than the slump values for mixtures with slump

greater than 230 mm;
2. The variations of washout mass loss and slump flow
consistency is highly affected by the w/cm, concentration of
AWA, and use of supplementary cementitious materials;
3. For a given fluidity, regardless of AWA content, the use
of the replacement of cement by 6% silica fume and 20% fly
ash can secure the highest washout resistance, comparable
with concrete containing 10% silica fume;
4. The reduction of w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41 for concrete
made with 0.07% welan gum and ternary binder resulted in
37 and 57% lower washout loss at slump flow consistencies
of 450 and 550 mm, respectively. Similarly, in mixtures containing 1 L/100 kg cementitious materials of cellulosic
AWA, the washout loss was shown to decrease by 28 and
34% with the reduction in w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41 at slump
flow values of 450 and 550 mm, respectively; and
5. The performance of the 50% SL concrete depends on the
AWA dosage. At low AWA content (0.07% welan gum), the
50% SL concrete had greater washout loss compared with the
100% C concrete. Both mixtures, however, exhibited similar
performance with higher content of welan gum (0.15%).
CONVERSION FACTORS
1 cm
1 L/m3
1 MPa
1 kg/m3

=
=
=
=

0.0039 in.
25.85 fl. oz/yd3
145 psi
1.685 lb/yd3

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2. Khayat, K. H., and Hester, H. T., Evaluation of Concrete Mixtures for
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3. Khayat, K. H.; Gerwick, B. C., Jr.; and Hester, W. T., Self-Leveling

ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

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295