2015

The 19th Symposium on Construction Engineering

and ManagementCEM 2015

A study on durability of high-performance

concrete
Chao-Lung Hwang#1, Andrian H. Limongan#2, Shu-Ti Yang#3, Trong-Phuoc Huynh#4
#

Department of Construction and Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University of

Science and Technology, 43 Keelung Rd, Sec. 4, Taipei 10607, Taiwan ROC
1

mikehwang0102@mail.ntust.edu.tw
2

andrian.limongan@gmail.com

m10205403@mail.ntust.edu.tw

htphuoc@ctu.edu.vn

Abstract
Paste amount and its proportion in the concrete mixtures play an important role in
creep and shrinkage development. For this reason, a study about the influence of paste
amount on durability of concrete was conducted. Densified mixture design algorithm
(DMDA) was applied in this study to design High performance concrete (HPC) and
was compared with ordinary Portland concrete (OPC). The designed strength for
concrete used in this study was 6,000 Psi at 28-day age. The test results show that HPC
has higher strength than OPC in the long run. Furthermore, the drying shrinkage and
creep results indicated the good durability of HPC.
Keywords: High-performance concrete, Densified mixture design algorithm, Drying
shrinkage, Creep, Durability

1. Introduction
Concrete is undoubtedly one of the most used construction material in the world.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain the quality and performance of concrete. Concrete
structures are designed to last decades, but deformations of concrete that evolve over
time, such as drying concrete and creep, can lead to catastrophic failures [1]. The
development of creep depends on stiffness and coarseness of aggregate, water-tocement (w/c) ratio, volume of paste and coarse aggregate, cement type, admixture type,
curing condition, ratio of volume-to-surface area, environmental conditions, magnitude
of loads, and age of loading. However, the creep of concrete is mainly due to the creep
of cement paste, while the aggregate is the only portion that resist against creep [2, 3].
Consequently, the paste amount and its proportion in the mixture play an important role
in creep development.
High-performance concretes (HPC) designed by densified mixture design
algorithm (DMDA) are expected to not only have high strength, but also good durability.

2015
The 19th Symposium on Construction Engineering
and ManagementCEM 2015

The DMDA technology combines the mixture proportion algorithms of both volume
and weight methods, resulting in a densely packed aggregate with the optimized amount
of cement paste. This method has successfully applied to many projects in Taiwan,
including Taipei 101 and Tuntex Sky Tower, the two tallest building in Taiwan [4, 5].
The addition of pozzolanic materials and water-reducing agent are common in
HPC mix proportion, as they can reduce creep and shrinkage, as well as achieving high
strength and workability [6]. Thus, this research investigates the durability aspect of
HPC designed by DMDA method, compared to ordinary Portland concrete (OPC)
designed by ACI method.

2. Experimental program
2.1. Materials
The type I Portland cement produced by Asia Cement, class-F fly ash (FA)
supplied by Taichung Power Plant, and blast furnace slag (BFS) provided by China HiMent Corporation are used in this study. Crushed coarse aggregate (CA) (Dmax 19mm,
density 2.69, absorption capacity 1.0%) and natural sand (fineness modulus 3.0, density
2.61, absorption capacity 1.8%) were provided from local quarries. Local tap water was
used as mixing water and type-G superplasticizer was used to achieve the desired
workability. All materials used conform to the related ASTM standards.
2.2. Mixture proportioning
The mixture proportion of HPC in this study was designed by DMDA technology,
meanwhile OPC was designed using traditional ACI method. The DMDA method
focuses on the least void condition through the utilization of FA to fill the void
between blended aggregates and cement paste to fill the rest of the void. The utilization
of fly ash, physically acting as filler, will increase the density of concrete as well as
acting as pozzolanic material [7, 8]. The mix proportions for HPC and OPC are listed
in Table. 1.
TABLE 1
Concrete mixture proportions (kg/m3)
Type

Cement

BFS

FA

CA

Sand

Water

SP

OPC

500

975

737

184

1.7

HPC

263

102

92

932

845

158

2.8

2.3.Sample preparations and test programs

All concrete samples are designed to reach the strength of 6,000 psi at 28 days.

2015
The 19th Symposium on Construction Engineering
and ManagementCEM 2015

Concrete was mixed in a laboratory food mixer. Portland cement, fly ash, and slag were
mixed with water followed by the addition of natural sand and coarse aggregate.
Superplasticizer was added to control workability of fresh concrete.
The cylindrical samples used in this study have a diameter of 100 mm and height
of 200 mm. The samples were de-moulded 24 hours after casting and then cured in
saturated lime water with temperature of 233C. The compressive strength test were
performed at the age of 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 91 days in accordance with ASTM C3903. The average of experimental results from three identical samples is adopted. The
drying shrinkage and creep tests were conducted daily until 1 week, and the age of 14,
21, 28, and 56 days after cured for 28 days in accordance with ASTM C512-10. The
drying shrinkage and creep test were carried out at temperature of 232C and humidity
of 60 5%. The creep samples were initially loaded to 25% of the 28-day axial
compressive strength of concrete.

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Compressive strength
Compressive strength is one of the most important parameters for evaluating
whether the concrete conforms to the designed strength. The compressive strength of
both OPC and HPC met the target strength of 6,000 Psi in 28 days, as shown in Fig. 1.
However, it can be seen that OPC had higher compressive strength at the early age, but
at the later age the compressive strength of HPC was higher than OPC. This is mainly
due to the relatively slow reaction of pozzolanic reaction of FA and BFS. The addition
of pozzolanic materials is not only helpful to promote the packing density, but also
chemically improves the interface transition zone through pozzolanic reaction.
Therefore compressive strength of HPC designed by DMDA may significantly improve
in the long run [9].

Fig. 1 Compressive strength development of OPC and HPC

2015
The 19th Symposium on Construction Engineering
and ManagementCEM 2015

3.2. Drying Shrinkage

Fig. 2 shows the test results of drying shrinkage stored at constant temperature of
232C and relative humidity of 605% for 56 days after being cured in saturated lime
water for 28 days after casting. As shown in Fig. 2, at early stage, OPC already had
greater shrinkage than HPC, however at the latter stage, the difference became larger.
The smaller shrinkage in HPC may be partly attributed to the lower amount of water as
hydration and pozzolanic reaction used up significant amount of free water [10]. The
slow reaction of pozzolanic material further supports this trend explanation.

Fig. 2 Drying Shrinkage of OPC and HPC

3.3. Creep
The test results for creep at constant stress of 25% of 28-day compressive strength
are given in Fig. 3. Similar to the case of drying shrinkage, the tests for creep were
performed in a controlled temperature of 232C and relative humidity of 605%. From
Fig. 3, it is clearly shown that HPC had lower creep than OPC. HPC designed by
DMDA can reduce creep around 30%. In the latter age, the reduction remained constant.
The reduction of creep could be attributed to a denser pore structure, stronger paste
matrix and improved paste aggregate interface of HPC due to the gel formation of
pozzolanic reaction [10].

Fig. 3 Creep of OPC and HPC

2015
The 19th Symposium on Construction Engineering
and ManagementCEM 2015

4. Conclusions
Based on the experimental results, the following conclusions may be drawn:
1. HPC designed by DMDA method has better compressive strength and
durability, due to the addition of pozzolanic materials, which act as both
fillers and pozzolanic materials.
2. At the latter ages, the difference in drying shrinkage between OPC and HPC
became larger, which was due to the significant amount of free water used in
pozzolanic reaction.
3. DMDA method can reduce concrete creep around 30% and the reduction
remained constant through latter ages.
4. The lower cement paste used in DMDA method resulted in the better
durability properties of concrete.

Acknowledgment
This research is sponsored by West Coast Expressway Central Region Engineering
Office, Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and
Communications. The authors also want to express gratitude to fellows of Construction
Material Research Laboratory at National Taiwan University of Science and
Technology for their assistance on this research.

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The 19th Symposium on Construction Engineering
and ManagementCEM 2015

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