• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.781-798
• /
• 2014

Estimating the workability of self-compacting concrete (SCC) is very important both in laboratories and on construction site. A method using visual information during the mixing process was proposed in this paper to estimate the workability of SCC. First, fourteen specimens of concrete were produced by a single-shaft mixer. A digital camera was used to record all the mixing processes. Second, employing the digital image processing, the visual information from mixing process images was extracted. The concrete pushed by the rotating blades forms two boundaries in the images. The shape of the upper boundary and the vertical distance between the upper and lower boundaries were used as two visual features. Thirdly, slump flow test and V-funnel test were carried out to estimate the workability of each SCC. Finally, the vertical distance between the upper and lower boundaries andthe shape of the upper boundary were used as indicators to estimate the workability of SCC. The vertical distance between the upper and lower boundaries was related to the slump flow, the shape of the upper boundary was related to the V-funnel flow time. Based on these relationships, the workability of SCC could be estimated using the mixing process images. This estimating method was verified by three more experiments. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method could be used to automatically estimate SCC workability.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.359-375
• /
• 2017

This paper presents a study of the properties and behavior of self-compacting concretes (SCC) in the hot climate. The effect of curing environment and the initial water curing period on the properties and behavior of SCC such as compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and sorptivity of the SCC specimens were investigated. Three Water/Binder (W/B) ratios (0.32, 0.38 and 0.44) have been used to obtain three ranges of compressive strength. Five curing methods have been applied on the SCC by varying the duration and the conservation condition of SCC. The results obtained on the compressive strength show that the period of initial water curing of seven days followed by maturation in the hot climate is better in comparison with the four other curing methods. The coefficient of sorptivity is influenced by W/B ratio and the curing methods. It is also shown that the sorptivity coefficient of SCC specimens is very sensitive to the curing condition. The SCC specimens cured in water present a low coefficient of sorptivity regardless of the ratio W/B. Furthermore, the results show that there is a good correlation between ultrasonic pulse velocity and the compressive strength.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.121-126
• /
• 2017

This paper presents the effect of aggregate type on high temperature resistance of self-compacting mortars (SCM) produced with normal and lightweight aggregates like expanded perlite and pumice. Silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA) were used as mineral additives. Totally 13 different mixtures were designed according to the aggregate rates. Mini slump flow, mini V-funnel and viscometer tests were carried out on the fresh mortar. On the other hand, bulk density, porosity, water absorption and high temperature tests were made on the hardened SCM. After being heated to temperatures of 300, 600 and $900^{\circ}C$, respectively, the tensile strength in bending and compressive strength of mortars determined. As a result of the experiments, the increase in the use of lightweight aggregate increased total water absorption and porosity of mortars. It is observed that, the increment in the usage of lightweight aggregate decreased tensile strength in bending and compressive strengths of mortar specimens exposed to high temperatures but the usage of up to 10% expanded perlite in mortar increased the compressive strength of specimens exposed to $300^{\circ}C$.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.183-196
• /
• 2018

The rheological behaviour of high strength self compacting concrete (HS-SCC) studied through an experimental investigation is presented in this paper. The effect of variation in supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) $vis-{\grave{a}}-vis$ four different types of processed crushed sand as fine aggregates is studied. Apart from the ordinary Portland cement (OPC), the SCMs such as fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) ultrafine slag (UFS) and micro-silica (MS) are used in different percentages keeping the mix -paste volume and flow of concrete, constant. The combinations of rheology, strength and durability are equally important for selection of mixes in respect of high-rise building constructions. These combinations are referred to as the rheo-strength and rheo-durability which is scientifically linked to performance based rating. The findings show that the fineness of the sands and types of SCM affects the rheo-strength and rheo-durability performance of HS-SCC. The high amount of fines often seen in fine aggregates contributes to the higher yield stress. Further, the mixes with processed sand is found to offer better rheology as compared to that of mixes made using unwashed crushed sand, washed plaster sand, washed fine natural sand. The micro silica and ultra-fine slag conjunction with washed crushed sand can be a good solution for high rise construction in terms of rheo-strength and rheo-durability performance.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.127-140
• /
• 2020

This study explores the feasibility of granite waste aggregate (GWA) as a partial replacement of natural fine aggregate (NFA) in binary blend self-compacting concrete (SCC) prepared with fly ash. Total of nine SCC mixtures were prepared wherein one was Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) based control SCC mixture and remaining were fly ash based binary blend SCC mixtures which included the various percentages of GWA. Fresh properties tests such as slump flow, T₅₀₀, V-funnel, J-ring, L-box, U-box, segregation resistance, bleeding, fresh density, and loss of slump flow (with time) were conducted. Compressive strength and percentage of permeable voids were evaluated in the hardened state. All the SCC mixtures exhibited sufficient flowability, passing ability, and resistance to segregation. Besides, all the binary blend SCC mixtures exhibited lower fresh density and bleeding, and better residual slump (up to 50% of GWA) compared to the OPC based control SCC mixture. Binary blend SCC mixture incorporating up to 40% GWA provided higher compressive strength than binary blend control SCC mixture. The findings of this study encourage the utilization of GWA in the development of binary blend SCC mixtures with satisfactory workability characteristics as a replacement of NFA.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.623-639
• /
• 2015

Self-compacting Concrete (SCC) Filled Square steel Tubes (SCFST) was used to strengthen square RC columns. To establish the efficiency of this strengthening method, 17 columns were tested under axial compression loading including 3 RC columns without any strengthening (WRC), 1 RC column strengthened with concrete jacket (CRC), 13 RC columns strengthened with self-compacting concrete filled square steel tubes (SRC). The experimental results showed that the use of SCFST is interesting since the ductility and the bearing capacity of the RC columns are greatly improved. The improvement ratio is significantly affected by the nominal wall thickness of steel tubes (t), the strength grade of strengthening concrete (C), and the length-to-width ratio (L / B) of the specimens. In order to quantitatively analyze the effect of these test parameters on axial loading behavior of the SRC columns, three performance indices, enhancement ratio (ER), ductility index (DI), and confinement ratio (CR), were used. The strength of the SRC columns obtained from the experiments was then employed to verify the proposed mode referring to the relevant codes. It was found that codes DBJ13-51 could relatively predict the strength of the SRC columns accurately, and codes AIJ and BS5400 were relatively conservative.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.461-468
• /
• 2017

With the increasing demand in the production of concrete, there is a need for adopting a feasible, economical and sustainable technique to fulfill practical requirements. Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is one such technique which addresses the concrete industry in providing eco-friendly and cost effective concrete. The objective of the present study is to develop a mix design for SCC with Crushed Rock Fines (CRF) as fine aggregate based on the plastic viscosity of the mix and validate the same for its fresh and hardened properties. Effect of plastic viscosity on the fresh and hardened properties of SCC is also addressed in the present study. SCC mixes are made with binary and ternary blends of Fly Ash (FA) and Ground Granulated Blast Slag (GGBS) with varying percentages as a partial replacement to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The proposed mix design is validated successfully with the experimental investigations. The results obtained, indicated that the fresh properties are best achieved for SCC mix with ternary blend followed by binary blend with GGBS, Fly Ash and mix with pure OPC. It is also observed that the replacement of sand with 100% CRF resulted in a workable and cohesive mix.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.67 no.2
• /
• pp.155-163
• /
• 2018

The Early-age construction loading and changing properties of concrete, especially in the multi-story structures can affect the slab deflection, significantly. Based on previously conducted experiment on eight simply-supported one-way slabs this paper investigates the effect of concrete type, fiber type and content, loading value, cracking moment, ultimate moment and applied moment on the instantaneous deflection of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) slabs. Two distinct loading levels equal to 30% and 40% of the ultimate capacity of the slab section were applied on the slabs at the age of 14 days. A wide range of the existing models of the effective moment of inertia which are mainly developed for conventional concrete elements, were investigated. Comparison of the experimental deflection values with predictions of the existing models shows considerable differences between the recorded and estimated instantaneous deflection of SCC slabs. Calculated elastic deflection of slabs at the ages of 14 and 28 days were also compared with the experimental deflection of slabs. Based on sensitivity analysis of the effective parameters, a new model is proposed and verified to predict the effective moment of inertia in SCC slabs with and without fiber reinforcing under two different loading levels at the age of 14 days.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.257-269
• /
• 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate the flexural performance of hybrid fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete (HFRSCC) having different ratio of micro and macro steel fiber. A total of five mixtures are prepared. In all mixtures, the sum of the steel fiber content is 1% and also water/binder ratio is kept constant. The amount of high range water reducer admixture (HRWRA) is arranged to satisfy the workability criteria of self-compacting concrete. Four-point bending test is carried out to analyze the flexural performance of the mixtures at 28 and 56 curing days. From the obtained load-deflection curves, the load carrying capacity, deflection and toughness values are investigated according to ASTM C1609, ASTM C1018 and JSCE standards. The mixtures containing higher ratio of macro steel fiber exhibit numerous micro-cracks and, thus, deflection-hardening response is observed. The mixture containing 1% micro steel fiber shows worst performance in the view of all flexural parameters. An improvement is observed in the aspect of toughness and load carrying capacity as the macro steel fiber content increases. The test results based on the standards are also compared taking account of abovementioned standards.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.283-293
• /
• 2019

The limited availability of raw materials and increasing service demands for pavements pose a unique challenge in terms of pavement design and concrete material selection. The self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC) can be used in pavement design. The SCRC pavement slab has advantages of excellent toughness, anti-fatigue and convenient construction. On the premise of satisfying the strength, the SCRC can increase the ductility of pavement slab. The aim of this investigation is proposing a new method to predict the crack growth and flexural capacity of large-scale SCRC slabs. The mechanical properties of SCRC are obtained from experiments on small-scale SCRC specimens. With the increasing of the specimen depth, the bearing capacity of SCRC beams decreases at the same initial crack-depth ratio. By constructing extended finite element method (XFEM) models, crack growth and flexural capacity of large-scale SCRC slabs with different fracture types and force conditions can be predicted. Considering the diversity of fracture types and force conditions of the concrete pavement slab, the corresponding test was used to verify the reliability of the prediction model. The crack growth and flexural capacity of SCRC slabs can be obtained from XFEM models. It is convenient to conduct the experiment and can save cost.