HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETES (HSC)
Concretes with 28-day strength in
excess of 6000psi (42MPa) are referred
to as high-strength concretes.
(American Concrete Institute)
High-strength concrete is typically used
in the erection of high-rise structures. It
has been used in components such as
columns (especially on lower floors
where the loads will be greatest), shear
walls, and foundations. High strengths
are also used in bridge applications as
well.
311 SOUTH WACKER
DRIVE (969 ft, 71
stories) - Worlds
Tallest Concrete
Building utilizing
Concrete of Strength
12,000 psi (83 MPa)
The terms "High performance concrete"
and "High strength concrete" are often
taken to mean the same thing.
However, as indicated, "High
performance" strictly relates to a
concrete that has been designed to
have good specific characteristics, such
as high resistance to chloride ingress or
high abrasion resistance. As a result it
may also have a high strength, but this
is not the main consideration.
ADVANTAGES
HSC is specified where reduced weight
is important or where architectural
considerations require smaller load-
carrying elements.
HSC helps to achieve more efficient
floor plans through smaller vertical
members and has also often proven to
be the most economical alternative by
reducing both the total volume of
concrete and the amount of steel
required for a load-bearing member.
HSC reduces,column and beam
dimensions in a building. Lower dead
loads results in reducing the loads
associated with foundation, thus leaner
foundations. Also,carpet area increases
as the space occupied by the columns
decreases.
High-strength concrete reduces slab
depths and, therefore, a buildings
overall height.
High-strength concrete permits
reinforced and pre-stressed concrete
girders to span greater lengths in
highway bridges, also the greater
individual girder capacities due to use
of HSC results in decrease in the
number of girders required. Thus, giving
an economical advantage.
APPLICATION
It is estimated that a 50-story structure
with 4-foot diameter columns using
4000 psi concrete can reduce column
diameters by approximately 33% by
using 8000 psi concrete (Peterman).
 COMPARISON BETWEEN HIGH
STRENGTH CONCRETE (HSC) AND
NORMAL STRENGTH CONCRETE (NSC)
HSC has higher resistance to applied
pressures compared to NSC
Water Cement Ratio : HSC= 0.35 or
lower; NSC= 0.4 to 0.6
Aggregate Size: HSC- 10 to 20 mm; NSC-
40 mm
Higher Modulus of Elasticity
Lower Creep Coefficient
Less deflection
Fracture Surface: HSC- Smooth; NSC-
Rough
HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE MATERIALS
CEMENT
o Use cement yielding highest
concrete strength at extended
ages (91 days)
o Cement should have a
minimum 7-day mortar cube
strength of 30 Mpa
o All types of cement are
applicable
SAND
WATER (Low Water-Cement Ratio)
o Generally in the range of 0.23
to 0.35.
AGGREGATES
o Coarse aggregate: 9.5 12.5
mm (3/8 1/2 in) nominal
mximum size gives optimum
strength
o Combining single sizes for
required grading allows for
closer control and reduced
variability in concrete
o Generally, smaller maximum
size coarse aggregate is used
for higher strength concretes
CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES
o Common practice uses
superplasticizer in combination
with a water-reducing retarder.
o Air-entraining admixtures are
not necessary or desirable \
SUPPLEMENTARY CEMENTING
MATERIALS
o Finely divided mineral
admixtures, consisting of fly
ash, silica fume and slag
cement
POZZOLAN
o Fly ash and silica fume are most
commonly used mineral
admixtures in high-strength
concrete.
o Silica Fume is added to prevent
the formation of free calcium
hydroxide crystals in the
cement matrix, which reduce
the strength at the cement-
aggregate bond.