ISSN (Print) : 0974-6846

Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol 8(32), DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2015/v8i32/87290, November 2015 ISSN (Online) : 0974-5645

A Study on Performance of Self Compacting

Concrete with Mineral Admixtures
K. Sathish Kumar* and S. Dilli Babu
Department of Civil Engineering, Bharath University, Chennai - 600073, Tamil Nadu, India;
sathishkumar.civil@bharathuniv.ac.in, dillibabu.civil@bharathuniv.ac.in

Abstract
Self-Compacting Concrete is an innovative concrete that does not require vibration for placing and compaction. It is able to
flow under its own weight, completely filling formwork and achieving full compaction, even in the presence of congested
reinforcement. One of the disadvantages of self-compacting concrete is its cost, associated with the use of high volumes of
Portland cement and use of chemical admixtures. One alternative to reduce the cost of self-compacting concrete is the use of
mineral admixtures such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag and micro silica, which is finely, divided materials
added to concrete during mixture procedure. When these mineral admixtures replace a part of the Portland cement, the
cost of self-compacting concrete will be reduced especially if the mineral admixtures are waste or industrial by-product.
Moreover, the use of mineral admixtures in the production of self-compacting concrete not only provides economic benefits
but also reduces heat of hydration. The incorporation of mineral admixtures also eliminates the need for viscosity-enhancing
chemical admixtures. The lower water content of the concrete leads to higher durability, in addition to better mechanical
integrity of the structure. This paper presents an experimental investigation on strength aspects like compressive, flexural and
split tensile strength of self compacting concrete containing different mineral admixtures and workability tests for different
mineral admixtures are carried out. About 15% fly ash and 5% micro silica are used as a partial replacement for cement

1. Introduction Shrinkage
RCPT (Rapid chloride penetration test)
1.1 Self Compacting Concrete WPT (Water penetration test)
Self-compacting concrete is the concrete that is able to flow Water absorption
under its own weight and completely fill the formwork,
even in the presence of dense reinforcement, without the
1.4 Advantages of SCC
need of any vibration, while maintaining homogeneity. No vibration needed
SCC was developed by prof. Okamura at Ouchi Self-consolidating
University, Japan. It was developed in the year 1986 but Self-placing
the usable version of SCC was developed in 1988. Faster construction
Improved quality and durability
1.2 Fresh Concrete Properties of SCC High strength and better surface finishes
Filling ability
Passing ability
2. Objective
Segregation resistance The objectives of this study are as follows:
To study the Effect of mineral admixtures in
1.3 Hardened Concrete Properties of SCC concrete:
Compressive strength 1. Workability
Split tensile strength 2. Water penetration

*Author for correspondence

 A Study on Performance of Self Compacting Concrete With Mineral Admixtures

3. Chloride penetration Table 1. European Guidelines for SCC: May 2005

4. Compressive strength S.no Constituent Typical range Typical range by
5. Splitting tensile strength by mass volume
6. Flexural strength (kg/mx3) (litres/m3)
1 Powder 380600
3. Need for the Study 2 Paste 300380
Cement is the backbone for global infrastructural 3 Water 150210 150210
development. It was estimated that global production of 4 Water/Powder ratio 0.851.10
cement is about 1.3 billion tons in 19961. Production of by Volume
every ton of cement emits carbon dioxide of about 0.87 ton. 5 Coarse aggregate 7501000 270360
Expressing it in another way it can be said that 7% of the 6 Fine aggregate Content balances the volume of
worlds carbon dioxide emission is attributable to Portland the other constituents, typically
cement industry. Because of the significant Contribution to 48 55% of total aggregate
weight.
the environmental pollution and to the high consumption
of natural resources like limestone ete., we cannot produce
more and more cement2,3. There is need to economize the Table 2. List of test methods for workability
use of cement. One of the Practical solutions to economize properties of SCC
cement is to replace cement with supplementary cementi- Method Property
tious materials like fly ash, Microsilica, Slag, etc. 1.Slump-flow by Abrams cone Filling ability
So this study helps in finding the right proportion 2. T50cmslumpflow Filling ability
of mineral admixtures that can be added to replace
3. J-ring Passing ability
cement without compromising strength, durability and
4. V-funnel Filling ability
workability4,5. With the help of Self-Compacting concrete
5. V-funnel at T5minutes Segregation resistance
we can achieve higher strength, better workability and
durability with lower water content. 6. L-box Passing ability
7. U-box Passing ability

4. Methodology 8. Fill-box Passing ability

4.1 Code Provision
As per IS 456 (Annex J) amendment 3:
Features of SCC
1. Slump flow 600 mm, min
2. Sufficient amount of fines (< 0.125 mm) preferably in
the range of400 600 kg/m3. This can be achieved by
having sand content more than 38% and using min-
eral admixture to the order of 25 50% by mass of
cementitious materials.
3. Use of high range water reducing (HRWR) admixture
and viscosity modifying agent in appropriate dosages.
9. GTM screen stability test Segregation resistance
10. Orimet Filling ability
a dherents6. Similarly no single method has been found
which characterizes all the relevant workability aspects so
each mix design should be tested by more than one test
method for the different workability parameters. The test
methods are described in detail in Annex D7.
For the initial mix design of SCC all three workability
parameters need to be assessed to ensure that all aspects
are fulfilled8,9. A full-scale test should be used to verify the
self-compacting characteristics of the chosen design for a
particular application.

4.2Test Methods (In Accordance to 4.3 Basic Ingredients of SCC

EFNARC Guidelines) Cement
Many different test methods have been developed in Cementitious materials (Fly Ash, GGBS, Microsilica)
attempts to characterize the properties of SCC. So Aggregates
far no single method or combination of methods has Admixtures (Superplasticizers and Viscosity Modifying
achieved universal approval and most of them have their Agents)

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 K. Sathish Kumar and S. Dilli Babu

4.3.1 Cement 5. Material Tests

All types of cement can be used
Typical cement content is 350-450 kg/m 5.1 Tests for Coarse Aggregate
Higher cement content can cause higher shrinkage Table 3. Sieve analysis (C.A weight 2 Kg)
Lesser cement possible with use of Supplementary IS Sieve Weight % Cumulative % Requirement
Cementitious Materials (SCM) (mm) retained retained % Passing IS 383
Advantageous to use SCM (g)
16 0 0 0 100 100
4.3.2 Supplementary Cementitious Material 12.5 137.5 6.87 6.87 93.13 90 100

Fly ash, GGBS or microsilica can be used, preferably 10 1108 55.4 62.27 37.73 40 85
fly ash 4.75 755 37.75 100 0 0 10
Improves workability and cohesiveness, reduces bleed- Pan 0 0 100 0 0
ing and segregation
Improves durability and overall performance of
5.2 Elongation and Flakiness Index
concrete
Table 4. Elongation and flakiness index:(IS: 2386
(part 1))
4.3.3 Aggregates
Sieve Net weight (g) Elongation Flakiness
All sound aggregates meeting the Standards require-
ments are suitable 1612.5mm 360 13 82
They may be natural or crushed aggregates of any min- 12.510mm 858.5 51 294.5
eral composition (limestone, dolomite, quartz, basalt, 106.3mm 854 107 123
etc.)
Maximum size of the aggregate is normally limited to S.No IS Weight % Cumulative % Requirements as per
20 mm. Aggregate shape should be round or cubical. Sieve retained retained % Passing IS : 383
(g)
Elongated aggregates do not produce satisfactory
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
mixed due to increase in internal friction.
1 4.75 44 8.3 8.3 91.7 90100 90100 90100

4.3.4 Superplasticizers 2 2.36 57 10.8 19.1 80.9 6095 75100 85100

3 1.18 161 30.4 49.5 50.5 3070 5590 75100
They are an essential component of self-compacting
4 600 129 24.34 73.84 26.16 15 -34 3559 6079
concrete
5 300 111 20.94 94.8 5.2 520 830 1240
Polycarboxylic ether based superplasticizers are com-
6 150 25 4.72 99.5 0.5 010 010 010
monly used
The water reduction should be more than 25%, allow- 7 Pan 4 0.8 100.3 - - - -

ing for a total water content of 160 to 180 l/m3 in the

concrete mix W = 2072.5g w2 = 171 w1 = 499.5
Total weight of C.A = 2200g
4.3.5 Viscosity Modifying Admixtures
w1 100
These admixtures are of various chemical nature and Flakiness =
W
provide the correct rheological profile to the self-com- = 24.1%
pacting concrete
They improve the segregation resistance of the mix Flakiness should be less than 35%
without loss of workability Therefore, the material can be accepted.
Performance fluctuations due to variations in the
materials quality and the moisture in the aggregates w 2 100
E longation =
are attenuated by the VMA, making the quality control W
easy10. = 8.25%

Vol 8 (32) | November 2015 | www.indjst.org Indian Journal of Science and Technology 3
 A Study on Performance of Self Compacting Concrete With Mineral Admixtures

5.3Specific Gravity of 12.5 mm C.A Table 7. Continued

Code- (IS 2386 1963 (Part III)) S. No Details Weights (Grams)
Table 5. Observation and Calculation 3 Weight of saturated surface-dry 765.0
aggregate - A(A1-A2)
S. No Details Weights (Grams)
4 Weight of pycnometer 1730.0
1 Weight of empty pycnometer - A1 454.0
containing aggregate and filled
2 Weight of pycnometer containing 1190.0 with distilled water B
saturated surface-dry aggregate - A2
5 Weight of pycnometer filled 1253.5
3 Weight of saturated surface-dry 736.0
with distilled water only - C
aggregate - A(A1-A2)
6 Weight of oven-dried aggregate 755.9
4 Weight of pycnometer containing 1724.0
D
aggregate and filled with distilled
water B Specific gravity (D/ (A-(B-C))) 2.62
5 Weight of pycnometer filled with 1253.5 Water absorption ((A-D)/D)100 1.20%
distilled water only - C
Specific Gravity for River Sand
6 Weight of oven-dried aggregate - D 733.3 The specific Gravity of River sand = 2.62
Specific gravity (D/ (A-(B-C))) 2.76
Water absorption ((A-D)/D) 100 0.37% 6. Design Mix
5.3.1 Result 6.1Design Mix for M60 Grade of Concrete:
The specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate 12.5mm = 2.76 (IS 10262 2009)
Grade: M60
5.4 Tests for Fine Aggregate Type of cement: OPC 53 grade conforming IS 12269
Maximum nominal size of aggregate: 12.5mm
Table 6. Sieve analysis for river sand (weight 530g) -
IS 2386 1963 (Part I) Maximum water/cement: 0.4
Workability: 600mm
S.No IS Weight % Cumulative % Requirements as per
Sieve retained retained % Passing IS : 383 VMA: 0.2% by weight of cementitious content
(g) PCE: 0.8% by weight of cementitious content
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
1 4.75 44 8.3 8.3 91.7 90100 90100 90100 1. Target strength:
2 2.36 57 10.8 19.1 80.9 6095 75100 85100 Fck = fck + 1.65S
3 1.18 161 30.4 49.5 50.5 3070 5590 75100 = 60 + 1.65 5
4 600 129 24.34 73.84 26.16 15 -34 3559 6079 = 68.25 N/mm2
5 300 111 20.94 94.8 5.2 520 830 1240 w/c ratio = 0.4
6 150 25 4.72 99.5 0.5 010 010 010 2. Selection of water content
7 Pan 4 0.8 100.3 - - - - w/c = 0.4
w = 0.4 500
5.5Specific Gravity of F.A (River Sand) w = 200 litres
code- (IS 2386 1963 (Part III)) As superplasticiser is added, water content can be
reduced to 20 %
Table 7. Observation and Calculation
Therefore water content = 160litres
S. No Details Weights (Grams)
3. Cementitious material content = 500 kg/m3
1 Weight of empty pycnometer - 454.0 Flyash of 15 % is included to the cementitious material
A1
content
2 Weight of pycnometer 1219.0
containing saturated surface-dry 4. Fly ash : 75 kg/m3
aggregate - A2 5. Microsilica : 5% is added
(Continued) Therefore microsilica = 25 kg/m3

4 Vol 8 (32) | November 2015 | www.indjst.org Indian Journal of Science and Technology
 K. Sathish Kumar and S. Dilli Babu

6. Proportion of volume of C.A and F.A content: 6.2 Mix Proportions

Volume of C.A corresponding to 10mm aggregate and
Cement: 400kg
fine aggregate (zone 2) w/c ratio of 0.4 = 0.48 from IS
Flyash: 75kg
10262:2009 pg. 6
Microsilica: 25kg
0.48 (100 10) C.A: 912.18kg
Volume of C.A =
100 F.A: 865.91kg
Water: 160litres
Volume of C.A = 0 .432 but we take 0.5 based on the
Superplasticiser: 4kg (0.8% of cementitious content)
trials
VMA: 1kg (0.2% of cementitious content)
Volume of F.A = 1 0.5
= 0.5 C. For 30 litres:
7. Mix calculation: Water: 5.3 litres
a) Volume of concrete : 1m3 Cement: 12kg
Mass of cement 100 Flyash: 2.25kg
b) Volume of cement : Microsilica: 0.75kg
Specific Gravity
C.A: 27.2kg
400 1
= F.A: 25.62kg
3.15 10000 Superplasticiser: 0.15kg
= 0.127 m3 VMA: 0.03kg
75 1
c) Volume of flyash =
2.17 1000 7. Slump Flow Test
= 0.0345 m3
This method covers the procedure for measuring Slump
25 1
d) Volume of Microsilica = Flow of Self Compacting Concrete (SCC). It is used for
2.3 1000
measuring consistency of concrete which can be employed
= 0.011 m3 either in laboratory or at site of work11. It is used conve-
5 1 niently as a control test and gives an indication of the
e) Volume of sup erplasticiser =
1.08 1000 uniformity of concrete from batch to batch.
= 4.62 10 3 m3 Technical Reference:
160 1 European Guideline for Self Compacting Concrete-2005.
f) Volume of water =
1 1000
Table 8. Result
= 0.16 m3
Test 30 minutes 1 hour 1 hours
g) Volume of VMA = 1 1 Flow test 670mm 600mm 530mm
1.02 1000
= 9.803 10 4 m3
8.Compressive Strength and
h) Volume of aggregate = 1 (0.127 + 0.0345 + 0.011
+ 4.62 103 + 0.16 + 9.803
Flexural Strength of Concrete
104) Aim:
= 0.661 m3 This method covers the procedure for determination of
i) Mass of C.A = (volume of aggregate volume of Compressive strength and Flexural strength concrete.
12.5mm C.A Specific gravity
1000) Technical Reference:
= 0.661 0.5 2.761000 IS 516 1959
= 912.18 kg Table 9. M60 grade: 28 days Compressive Strength
j) Mass of F.A = v olume of aggregate volume of F.A and Flexural strength
Specific gravity 1000 Compressive Strength (Mpa) Flexural Strength (N/mm2)
= 865.91 kg 61.87 5.98

Vol 8 (32) | November 2015 | www.indjst.org Indian Journal of Science and Technology 5
 A Study on Performance of Self Compacting Concrete With Mineral Admixtures
9. Conclusion
The compressive and flexural values for SCC with mineral
admixture (Fly ash and Micro silica) is good. So it is eco-
friendly and cost efficient to use mineral admixtures in
concrete. The other hardened concrete tests such as split
tensile, rapid chloride penetration and water absorption
are yet to be done.
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