Mix design of self-compacting concrete

Sonowal, D.B. 1, Banerjee, S. 2 , Sarkar, G. 3, Bhushan, A. C. 4 and Tetarwal, R.5

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Tezpur University, Napam, Tezpur 784028, India.
2 Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Tezpur University, Napam, Tezpur 784028, India.
3 Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Tezpur University, Napam, Tezpur 784028, India.
4 Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Tezpur University, Napam, Tezpur 784028, India.
5 Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Tezpur University, Napam, Tezpur 784028, India.

ABSTRACT

Self-compacting concrete (SCC), a new kind of high performance concrete (HPC) with excellent deformability and
segregation resistance, was first developed in Japan in 1986. It is a special kind concrete that can flow through and fill the
gaps of reinforcement and corners of the different structural members without any need for vibration and compaction during
the placing process. But, the design of SCC is always a challenging task and since it is affected by the characteristics of
materials and the mix proportions; it becomes necessary to evolve an effective procedure for mix design of SCC. The work
presented here is an experimental study to set up a new and easy procedure for the design mix of self-compacting concrete
using IS: 10262:1982 and IS: 10262:2009 both and to setup a detailed calculation of the amount of materials required along
with the paste of binders to fill into the voids of aggregates to ensure that the SCC thus obtained has the flow ability, self-
compacting ability and other desired SCC properties. The amount of aggregates, binders and mixing water, as well as type
and dosage of superplasticizer (SP) to be used are the major factors that influencing the properties of SCC. However
utilization of high reactive silica fume as a mineral admixtures which causes great improvement in the pore structure. The
test results for acceptance characteristics of self-compacting concrete such as slump flow; V-funnel and L-Box are presented
here. Further, compressive strength at the ages of 7, 28, and 56 days was also determined and results are discussed here.

Keywords: self-compacting, superplasticizer, silica fumes, slump flow, V-funnel, L-box

1. INTRODUCTION the trial mix of SCC. The major advantage of this method
is that it avoids having to repeat the same kind of quality
Self-compacting concrete (SCC), a new kind of high
control test on concrete, which consumes both time and
performance concrete (HPC) with excellent
labor. However, the drawbacks of Okamura’s method
deformability and segregation resistance, was first
are that it requires quality control of paste and mortar
developed in Japan in 1986. It is a special kind concrete
prior to SCC mixing, while many ready-mixed concrete
that can flow through and fill the gaps of reinforcement
producers do not have the necessary facilities for
and corners of molds without any need for vibration and
conducting such tests and the mix design method and
compaction during the placing process. Though showing
procedures are too complicated for practical
good performance, SCC is different from the HPC,
implementation.
which emphasizes on high strength and durability of
Then china started to develop the SCC. The principal
concrete. In terms of workability, HPC merely improves
consideration of the Chinese Method is that the voids of
fluidity of concrete to facilitate placing; however, it
the aggregate are filled with paste (cement, powder,
cannot flow freely by itself to pack every corner of molds
water). The voids need to be filled with paste so that a
and all gaps among reinforcement. In other words, HPC
workable fresh concrete is attained. The Chinese Method
still requires vibration and compaction in the
starts with the content of aggregate, which greatly
construction process. Comparatively, SCC has more
influences the workability. Subsequently, the amount of
favorable characteristics such as high fluidity, good
cement is assessed.
segregation resistance and the distinctive self-
As said, the main consideration of the Chinese Method
compacting ability without any need for vibration during
is that voids present in loose aggregate are filled with
the placing process.
paste, and that the packing of the aggregates is
In 1993, Okamura proposed a mix design method for
minimized. But all the methods and procedures are only
SCC. His main idea was to conduct first the test on paste
use for specified types of materials not for general case
and mortar in order to examine the properties and
and that’s why we follow the mix design procedure of
compatibility of superplasticizer (SP), cement, fine
aggregates and Pozzolanic materials, then followed by
IS: 10262:1982 and 2009 to implement it easily as much 2.2.2 Coarse aggregate
as possible. Crushed stones of size 20mm and 10mm are used as
coarse aggregate. As per IS: 2386 (Part III)-1963 [8], the
1.1 Mix proportions
bulk specific gravity in oven dry condition and water
A total of 12 concrete mixtures were designed and
absorption of the coarse aggregate are 2.65 and 0.3%
tabulated in table no. 1 at water cement ratio of 0.36, 0.4
respectively. The coarse aggregate blending is 60:40
and 0.45 with total cementitious materials content range
(20mm and 10mm) as per IS 2386 (Part III) 1963 [8].
may be vary based on the replacement of silica fumes at
different levels. The replacement ratios of silica fumes 2.2.2 Fine aggregate
are 20%, 25% and 30% Natural river sand is used as fine aggregate. As per
IS: 2386 (Part III)-1963 [8], the bulk specific gravity in
1.2 Selection of mix proportions
oven dry condition of the sand is 2.63.
The following data are required for mix proportioning
of a particular grade of concrete- 2.2.3 Chemical admixtures
i. Maximum nominal size of aggregate. MasterEase 3603 is used as high performance super
ii. Minimum cement content. plasticizer having specific gravity of 1.15
iii. Maximum water-cement ratio.
2.2.4 Mineral admixture
iv. Slump flow value.
Silica fume of specific gravity 2.23 is used as mineral
v. Exposure conditions as per Table 4 and Table
admixture.
5 of IS 456 (2000).
vi. Maximum temperature of concrete at the time 2.2.5 Water
of placing. Ordinary treatment plant supply water.
vii. Method of transporting and placing.
viii. Early age strength requirements, if required. 3. DESIGN OF SSC
ix. Type of aggregate.
3.1 Detailed steps for SCC mix design
x. Maximum cement content.
Procedure for concrete mix design requires following
xi. Whether an admixture shall or shall not be
step by step process:
used and the type of admixture and the
i. Data for Mix Proportioning.
condition of use.
ii. Selection of water-cement ratio.
1.3 Research implication iii. Selection of water content.
A simplified and easy method of design for SCC has iv. Calculation of cementitious material content.
been developed on the basis of IS 10262:2009. v. Estimation of coarse aggregate proportion.
vi. Estimation of fine aggregate proportion.
1.4 Outline of the paper
vii. Trial mixes for testing concrete mix design
This paper includes the selection of mix proportions
strength.
for SCC from the relevant literature, the experimental
study, material properties, evaluation of SCC mix design 3.2 Data for mix proportioning
and conclusions. The following data are required for mix proportioning
of a particular grade of concrete-
2 EXPERIMENTAL STUDY i. Maximum nominal size of aggregate.
ii. Minimum cement content.
2.1 Experimental program
iii. Maximum water-cement ratio.
In this study, trials have been carried to design a SCC
iv. Slump flow value.
mix having 30%, 25% & 20% replacement of cement
v. Exposure conditions as per Table 4 and Table 5
with Silica fumes and 0.36, 0.4, 0.45 water/cement ratio
of IS 456 (2000).
(by weight). Crushed granite stones of size 20mm and
vi. Maximum temperature of concrete at the time
10mm are used with the blending 60:40 by percentage
of placing.
weight of total coarse aggregate.
vii. Method of transporting and placing.
2. 2 Material properties viii. Early age strength requirements, if required.
This section contains the chemical and physical ix. Type of aggregate.
properties of the ingredients. Bureau of Indian Standards x. Maximum cement content.
(IS) procedures were followed for determining the xi. Whether an admixture shall or shall not be used
properties of the ingredients in this study. and the type of admixture and the condition of
use.
2.2.1 Cement
Ordinary Portland Cement 43 grade was used
4. CALCULATIONS OF MIX PROPORTIONS
corresponding to IS-8112(1989).The specific gravity of
cement is 3.08. The detailed steps for calculation of mix
proportions are presented below with an
example. 4.9 Final mixing proportions
Cement = 396.75 kg/m3
4.1 Stipulation for proportions Silica fume = 132.25 kg/m3
Type of cement=OPC 43 Water = 190 kg/m3
Nominal maximum size of aggregate=10 mm Super plasticizer = 10.57 kg/m3
Exposure condition=Moderate Coarse Aggregate = 766 kg/m3
Degree of supervision=Good Fine aggregate = 903 kg/m3
Type of aggregate=Crushed angular aggregate w/c ratio = 0.36
Chemical admixture used=Plasticizer of specific
gravity 1.15 4.10 Test result
The following mix design was performed and the
4.2 Test data for materials following values of the tests were obtained-
Cement OPC 43 Slump Flow 820 mm
Specific gravity of Cement 3.15 L-box H1=84 mm , H2=100 mm
Chemical admixture 1.15 V-funnel 9.1 secs
Specific gravity 4.11 Mix design proportioning of different
i. Coarse aggregate2.65 combinations
ii. Fine aggregate2.63
Water absorption Table 1. Trials for Mix Design.
i. Coarse aggregate= Nil
ii. Fine aggregate= Nil
Free surface moisture Tri Cemen Silica C.A. F.A Water Admix w/c
al
i. Coarse aggregate=Nil
kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3 kg/m3
ii. Fine aggregate=Nil
4.3 Gradation
1 444 --- 740 930 210 8.88 0.45
Zone III (Table 4 of IS 383-1970)
4.4 Selection of water cement ratio
2 355.2 88.8 740 930 210 8.88 0.45
Max. w/c ratio=0.45
Selected w/c ratio=0.36
3 333 111 740 930 210 8.88 0.45
4.5 Selection of water content
From Table 2, IS456-2000
Maximum water content for 10 mm =208 L (for 25-50 4 310.8 133.2 740 930 210 8.88 0.45
mm slump)
For 200mm slump, water content=244 liter 5 525 -- 733 888.9 200 10.4 0.40
Plasticizers can reduce water up to 22%
So, Water content arrived=190 liter
6 420 105 733 888.9 200 10.4 0.40
4.6 Calculation for cement content
w/c ratio =0.36 7 393.75 131.25 733 888.9 200 10.4 0.40
Cement content =529 kg/m3
4.7 Proportion of volume of coarse and fine 8 367.5 157.5 733 888.9 200 10.4 0.40
aggregates
For w/c-0.5 and Zone III, Volume of coarse aggregate
9 529 -- 766 903 200 10.57 0.36
(±0.01 for every ±0.05 change in w/c ratio)=0.48
Therefore, for w/c-0.45
Volume of coarse aggregate=0.46 10 423.2 105.8 766 903 190 8.88 0.36
Volume of fine aggregate=0.54
4.8 Mix calculations 11 396.75 132.25 766 903 190 10.57 0.36
a) Volume of concrete = 1m3
b) Volume of cement = 0.1678 m3
c) Volume of water = 0.190 m3 12 370.3 158.7 766 903 190 10.57 0.36
d) Volume of Plasticizer = 0.009 m3
e) Volume of all in =0.633 m3
aggregate
f) Mass of coarse aggregate =766 kg
g) Mass of fine aggregate = 903 kg
 Table 2. Compressive strength of SCC w/c=0.45
Trail Percentage 7 days 28 days 56 days
Then mix design of self-compacting concrete is done
without mineral admixtures and by replacing
No Silica strength strength strength cementitious materials with mineral admixtures i.e.
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa) silica fumes. After the SCC is prepared the L-box, V-
1 0 7.56 14.22 22.22 funnel and Slump flow tests are performed for the quality
check of self-compacting concrete.
2 20 8.44 15.11 24.89
Finally, the interrelationship between w/c ratios,
3 25 8.89 15.56 25.77 percentage of mineral admixture replaced with cement,
4 30 9.33 16 26.22 curing and compressive strength is studied.

 From this study we can say that self-compacting

concrete can also designed by modifying the
Table 3. Compressive strength of SCC w/c=0.40
Indian Standard Codes for Concrete Mix
Trail Percentage 7 days 28 days 56 days Proportioning.
No Silica strength strength strength  Chemical admixtures play a vital role in self-
compacting concrete. The fluidity of the mix is
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
actually created by the chemical admixtures.
5 0 10.67 17.78 28.89  The L-box test for SCC cannot be passed with
6 20 11.56 18.67 30.67 greater size of aggregates, generally 12.5mm and
7 25 12 19.11 32
10mm aggregates are preferred.
 To attain higher slump flow values of SCC i.e.
8 30 12.44 19.56 32.89 to increase the filling ability the water content
should be increased.
 From the results obtained, we can say that by
Table 4. Compressive strength of SCC w/c=0.36 addition of mineral admixtures like silica fumes
Trail Percentage 7 days 28 days 56 days we can increase the compressive strength of SCC
to a significant amount.
No Silica strength strength strength
 For self-compacting concrete rather than
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa) conventional concrete, the curing period
9 0 12.89 22.22 38.22 required is more. As we can see that even after
28 days of curing, the compressive strength
10 20 13.78 23.56 40.44
increases by significant amount.
11 25 14.67 25.33 42.67
12 30 15.11 25.78 47.11 REFERENCES
1) Nagamoto N., Ozawa K., Mixture properties of Self-
Compacting in Concrete Technology, SP-172, V. M. Malhotra,
5. CONCLUSIONS
American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich. 1997, p.
Errors in the past will dictate the design of the future. 623-637.
Until now, there is no standard procedure to design self- 2) Okamura, H. (1997). Self-Compacting High-Performance
Concrete, Concrete International, pp.50-54.7.
compacting concrete that will yield a high compressive 3) EFNARC, (2002). Specifications and Guidelines for Self-
strength and reasonable workability. Therefore, Compacting Concrete, EFNARC, UK (www.efnarc.org), pp.
researchers throughout the globe to develop a range of 1-32.
new results that will yield a functional design are 4) Japanese Society of Civil Engineering, Guide to Construction
carrying out continuous research. of High Flowing Concrete, Gihoudou Pub., Tokyo, 1998 (in
Mix design of SCC provided additional information Japanese).
5) IS: 3812-2003, Specifications for Pulverized fuel ash, BIS,
regarding selection of appropriate water cement contents, Delhi, India.
size of aggregates. The purpose of our research work is 6) IS 10262:2009 Concrete Mix Proportioning – Guideline, BIS,
to design and perform tests on self-compacting concrete. Delhi.
Initially all the materials are tested and the specific 7) IS 2720: 1980 Part III, Method of test for soil, BIS, Delhi.
gravity of cement, admixture, fine and coarse aggregates, 8) IS 2386:1963 Part III, Method of test of aggregate for concrete,
grain size distribution curve, zoning of fine aggregates, BIS, Delhi,
9) IS 383-1970, Specification for coarse and fine aggregates
fineness modulus of coarse aggregates are determined. from natural sources for concrete, BIS, Delhi.
The compatibility study of the chemical admixtures with 10) IS 9103:1999, Concrete Admixtures: Specification, BIS,
cement is then analyzed. Efficiency of admixtures is Delhi,
then calculated. 11) IS 456 : 2000- Plain And Reinforced Concrete – Code Of
Practice (Fourth Edition),BIS, Delhi.