• Computers and Concrete
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.111-116
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• 2018

Establishment of test methods to assess the fresh properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) are required to ensure the homogeneity in fresh and hardened states. This paper discusses the suitability of a simple test method for assessing the slump flow and stability of SCC by testing on self-compacting mortar (SCM) fraction. The proposed test method aims at investigating slump flow diameter test and sieve stability test of SCC by testing SCM fraction with a plunger penetration apparatus. A central composite modeling design was performed to evaluate the effects of water/cement ratio (W/C), superplasticizer dosage (SP) and powder marble content (MP) on slump flow diameter, stability and plunger penetration test of fresh SCC. The responses of the derived statistical models are slump flow (Sf), sieve stability (S) and plunger penetration (P). Relationships obtained in this study show acceptable correlations between plunger penetration test value and slump flow diameter test results and stability. It should note that the developed relationships are very useful to predict slump flow diameter and stability of studied SCC mixtures by carrying out a simple plunger penetration test on its mortar, which can save labour and time in laboratory experiments.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.127-140
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• 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.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.31-48
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• 2017

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) have turned out to be a vital portion of extraordinary strength and performance concrete. Metakaolin (MK) is one of SCM material is acquired by calcinations of kaolinite. Universally utilised as pozzolanic material in concrete to enhance mechanical and durability properties. This study investigates the fresh and hardened properties of conventional concrete (CC) and self compacting concrete (SCC) by partially replacing cement with MK in diverse percentages. In CC and SCC, partial replacement of cement with MK varies from 5-20%. Fresh concrete properties of CC are conducted by slump test and compaction factor tests and for SCC, slump flow, T500, J-Ring, L-Box, V-Funnel and U-Box tests. Hardened concrete characteristics are investigated by compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths at age of 7, 28 and 90 days of curing under water. Carbonation depth, water absorption and density of MK based CC and SCC was also computed. Fresh concrete test results indicated that increase in MK replacement increases workability of concrete in a constant w/b ratio. Also, outcomes reveal that concrete integrating MK had greater compressive, flexural and split tensile strengths. Optimum replacement level of MK for cement was 10%, which increased mechanical properties and robustness properties of concrete.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.65-78
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• 2012

An experimental study was carried out to evaluate fresh properties of a moderately high-strength (high-flowing) self-compacting concrete (SCC) and to investigate shear behavior and performance of deep beams made with SCC. Fresh and hardened properties of normal concrete (NC) and SCC were evaluated. The workability and compacting ability were observed based on casting time and number of surface cavities, respectively. Four-point loading tests on four deep beams (two made with SCC and two with NC) were then conducted to investigate their shear behavior and performance. Shear behavior and performance of beams having two different web reinforcements in shear were systematically investigated in terms of crack pattern, failure mode, and load-deflection response. It was found from the tests that the SCC specimen having a normal shear reinforcement condition exhibited a slightly higher load carrying capacity than the corresponding NC specimen, while the SCC specimen having congested shear reinforcement condition showed a similar load carrying capacity to the corresponding NC specimen. In addition, a comparative study between the present experimental results and theoretical results in accordance with ACI 318 (Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete (ACI 318-89) and Commentary-ACI 318R-89, 1999), Hsu-Mau's explicit method (Hsu, Cem Concr Compos 20:419-435, 1998; Mau and Hsu, Struct J Am Concr Inst 86:516-523, 1989) and strut-and-tie model suggested by Uribe and Alcocer (2002) based on ACI 318 Appendix A (2008) was carried out to assess the applicability of the aforementioned methods to predict the shear strength of SCC specimens.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제5권5호
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• pp.435-448
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• 2008

Self-compacting concrete (SCC), characterized by the high flowability and resistance to segregation, is due to the high amount of paste (including cement and mineral admixtures) in contrast with normal concrete (NC). However, the high amount of paste will limit the volume fractions of coarse aggregate,and reduce the tendency of coarse aggregate to suppress drying shrinkage deformations. For this reason, SCC tends to produce higher values of drying shrinkage than NC for the most part. In order to assess the drying shrinkage of SCC quantitatively for application to offshore caisson foundations, the formulas presented in the literatures (ACI 209 and CEB-FIP) are used to predict the values of drying shrinkage in SCC according to the corresponding mix proportions. Additionally, a finite element (FE) model, which assumes concrete to be a homogeneous and isotropic material and follows the actual size and environmental conditions of the caisson, is utilized to simulate stress distribution situations and deformations in the SCC caisson resulting from the drying shrinkage. The probability of cracking and the behavior of drying shrinkage of the SCC caisson are drawn from the analytic results calculated by the FE model proposed in this paper.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.781-798
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• 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.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.935-950
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• 2015

The aim of this study is to provide experimental data regarding the compressive, shear and torsional strength of self-compacting concrete (SCC) used in rectangular beams, and then comparing the results with the equations presented by the CSA A23.3-04 and ACI 318-11. In fact, the gathered information in this field is quite useful for calibrating the computer models of other researchers. The other goal of this study was to investigate the effects of silica fume and superplasticizer dosages on the mechanical properties of SCC. In this research, SCC is made based on 16 different type mixing layout. Also two normal concrete (NC) or vibrating concrete are constructed to compare the results of SCC and NC. This work concentrated on concrete mixes having water/binder ratios of 0.45 and 0.35, which contained constant total binder contents of $400kg/m^3$ and $500kg/m^3$, respectively. The percentages of silica fume that replaced cement were 0% and 10%. The superplasticizer dosages utilized in the mixtures were 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2% and 1.6% of the weight of cement. Beam dimensions used in this test were $30{\times}30{\times}120cm^3$. The results of this research indicated that shear and torsional strength of SCC beams to be used in computer models can be calculated utilizing the equations presented in CSA A23.3-04 and ACI 318-11.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.461-468
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• 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.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2020

The premise for the study reflected in this article is the need to dispose of industrial waste, which is increasingly being used in the construction materials industry. Also, dynamically developing building industry demands attention of scientists and a direction of their works on improvement of the technology of carrying out construction works. Thus, the article is devoted to studying the influence of various chemical additives and fine fillers (industrial wastes) available in Kazakhstan on self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixtures and its rheological, physical, and technical properties. According to the studies, revealed the most efficient type of fine-dispersed filler and the most optimal type of chemical additive to enable obtaining a high-quality SCC mixture based on local raw materials. As a result, the use of microsilica in comparison with other industrial wastes resulted in a conglomerate with high compressive strength of SCC at early terms of curing. In terms of economic efficiency and quality improvement, the results of study are of practical value for the manufacturers of ready-mixed concrete operating in Kazakhstan.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.11-14
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• 2009

This paper is interested in the incorporation of crushed sand and desert sand in the composition the self compacting concretes (SCC). Desert dune sand, which has a fine extra granulometry, and the crushed sand, which contains an important content of fines, can constitute interesting components for SCC. Part II consists in studying the behaviour of SCC containing various sands with different origins. These sands, with different sizes, consist of several combinations of rolled sand (RS), crushed sand (CS) and desert sand (DS). The study examines the influence of the granular combination of sands on the characteristics in the fresh and the hardened state of SCC. The results of the experimental tests showed an improvement of the workability of the fresh SCC by combining sands of varied granulometry. The addition of the DS to CS or to RS allowed the increase of the mixture viscosity but decreased the mechanical strengths. Furthermore, the CS-RS combinations increased the compressive and the tensile strengths of the studied SCC. The optimized formulations of sands gave the highest performances of the SCC.