PERFORMANCE STUDY ON TERNARY BLENDED SELF

COMPACTING CONCRETE FOR USE IN REPAIR WORKS

Mohammed Rayyan N 1, Jeelan Basha C 2 and M.S. Haji Sheik Mohammed 3

1,2,3
Department of Civil Engineering, B.S. Abdur Rahman University, Chennai, India.

ABSTRACT
This study focuses on developing a ternary blended self-compacting concrete (SCC) for use in small repair works. Three
different SCC mixes were designed using fly ash, metakaolin and PCE superplasticizer based on experimental investigation
by varying its filler cement ratio and paste volume. The concrete mixes were tested for workability parameters such as
resistance to segregation, filling and passing ability by conducting slump flow, V-funnel, L-Box and U-Box tests to ascertain
its suitability for repair works. Mechanical properties of concrete mixes were found by conducting compressive strength test,
flexural strength test, split tensile strength test and young’s modulus test as per Indian Standards. Durability tests conducted
includes accelerated corrosion test, rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT) and sorptivity test by following Indian /ASTM
Standards / Guidelines of premier research institutions. It is found that all the developed mixes offer appreciable performance
against segregation, slump flow and filling ability. The concrete mix SCC-M1 with increased cement and metakaolin content
offered improved strength and durability properties as compared to other mixes which may be due to enhanced hydration
reaction and improved microstructure of concrete.

Keywords: Repair, self-compacting concrete, ternary blend, mechanical properties, durability properties.

1.Introduction
controlled by the micro-structural characteristics of the
materials used in the concrete [3,4]. The porosity and
The repair, rehabilitation and strengthening of reinforced
pore size distribution in concrete are the critical
concrete structures has become a routine activity of
components of the microstructure of hydrated cement
construction industry in the recent times. The need for
paste that largely influences durability. In order to
repair of these concrete structures arises from the
achieve high strength, low permeability and durable self-
deterioration caused mainly by corrosion of
compacting concrete, it is essential to reduce the porosity
reinforcement bars which is due to inappropriate
of cement paste in appropriate level. It is known that the
durability design, aggravated further by penetration of
incorporation of pozzolana materials refines the porosity
chloride ions and carbonation. India is incurring a loss of
and pore size distribution of the paste. Fly ash is known
Rs. 2,50,000 crores annually due to corrosion which
to be a good pozzolanic material for use in concrete and
reveals the significant contribution of distressed concrete
many researchers have established its effect on the
structures towards this. The engineers and specification
physical properties and pore structure of concrete.
makers have ample choice of materials for repair but lack
However, the pore structure changes due to variations in
in guidance and knowledge on their properties and long
fly ash fineness are not well established. Study conducted
term performance. The composition of a repair material
by Dinakar et. al [4] shows that self-compacting concrete
especially in concrete is not realistically possible without
has significant durability performance when compared
much understanding. There is a need to establish a set of
with normal vibrated concrete. Self-compacting concrete
requirements which should be based on performance
has the ability to gain strength at the early ages of curing.
related properties of the repair material. The set of
The gain in compressive strength at early ages for
procedures / specifications for a particular repair is not
different grade of SCC mixes and its relation to the
readily available and is location specific [1,2]. Self-
conventional concrete values as per BIS: SP 23-1982 was
compacting concrete (SCC) is one of the most widely
studied by Binu et. al [5]. Aruz [6] ascertained the extend
used repair material. In the design of self-compacting
of service life of chloride - exposed concrete structure by
concrete, durability has to be given much emphasis in
addition of fly ash in the concrete. The increase in initial
addition to its ability to resist expected loading
strength and durability of concrete due to addition of
conditions. The service life and durability of concrete
Metakaolin was established [7,8]. Metakaolin is also a
structure is strongly depending on properties such as
highly reactive pozzolanic material and has been
permeability, sorptivity and diffusivity which are
subjected for several studies especially in ternary
controlled by the micro-structural characteristics of the
blending mainly due to its capacity to react vividly with
materials used in the concrete [3,4]. The porosity and
Ca(OH)2 by-products occurred during cement hydration.
1 pore size distribution in concrete are the critical
Student, mohamedrayan1994@gmail.com Due to its high pozzolanic activity, the addition of
2 components of the microstructure of hydrated cement metakaolin enhances the mechanical and durability
Student, jeelanbasha1@gmail.com
3 paste that largely influences durability. In order to properties of cement based materials.
Professor and Dean, hajisheik@bsauniv.ac.in
achieve high strength, low permeability and durable self-
compacting concrete, it is essential to reduce the porosity
of cement paste in appropriate level. It is known that the
incorporation of pozzolana materials refines the porosity
and pore size distribution of the paste. Fly ash is known
to be a good pozzolanic material for use in concrete and
many researchers have established its effect on the
physical properties and pore structure of concrete.
 Table 2: Physical properties of constituent materials
Properties of the constituent materials
Material used Specific Fineness Bulk density Blaine’s surface % of Zone
gravity modulus (Kg/l) fineness* (m2/Kg) Void
Cement (PPC) 3.2 - - 340 - -
Fly ash 2.2 - - 428 - -
Metakaolin 2.6 - - 2200 - -
Fine Aggregate 2.55 4.6 1.69 - 35 II
Course Aggregate 2.59 7.67 1.3 - 44 -
*Data obtained from the manufacturer

Table 1: Chemical composition of cement, fly ash

Recent works have shown that effective pozzolan, and metakaolin*
altering the pore structure of the cement paste and
greatly improving its resistance against water Components Cement Fly ash Metakaolin
permeability and diffusion of harmful ions through the Class F
cement matrix [7,8]. From the past research studies, it is CaO (% w/w) 53.6 0.65 0.03
inferred that scant research work have been carried out SiO2 (% w/w) 28.7 57.90 47.85
towards development of SCC to suit the needs of small
level repair works. This research work focuses on Al2O3 13.5 33.54 38.10
developing a ternary blended self-compacting concrete (% w/w)
using hand mixing for use in repair works. Fe2O3 2.27 2.69 1.29
(% w/w)
2.Materials, Mix Design and Specimen Preparation MgO (% w/w) 2.21 0.50 0.04
SO3 (% w/w) 2.90 0.13 -
Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) with physical and
chemical characteristic confirming to BIS: 269-1989 [9] Na2O (% w/w) 0.30 0.46 0.10
and BIS :1489-1991 Part-1 (Fly ash based) [10] K2O (% w/w) 0.42 0.87 2.00
respectively was used for production of SCC. The 28
days compressive strength of PPC is found to be 33 LOI (% w/w) 2.05 1.00 12.30
MPa when tested as per BIS: 650-1991[11]. Fly ash of Quantity are in (% w/w); LOI, Loss of ignition
class F obtained from the Ennore Thermal power * Manufacturer's Data
station, Chennai, India with the specific gravity of 2.2
and Blaine surface area of 428 m2/kg. was used as filler
material. Commercially available Metakaolin having
specific gravity of 2.6 and Blaine surface area of 2200
m2/kg was used to improve the microstructure of SCC.
Table 1 shows the chemical composition of cement, fly
ash and metakaolin. Locally available river sand of
specific gravity 2.55, fineness modulus 3.10 and bulk
density 1.69 kg/l which is confirming to zone II as per
BIS: 383-1970 [12] is used as fine aggregate. Coarse
aggregate comprises of crushed granite having size less
than 10mm with specific gravity 2.59, fineness modulus
7.67 and bulk density 1.3 kg/l. Figure 1 shows the
grading curve of fine and coarse aggregate. Poly
carboxylic ether (PCE) based superplasticizer confirms Figure 1: Grading curve of fine and coarse aggregate
to BIS 9103:1999 [13] and ASTM C 494-92 Type F
[14], in an aqueous form was used to enhance the water The methodology adopted for designing of self-
retention and workability of the concrete. Potable water compacting concrete is based on experimental
confirming as per ASTM D 1129 [15] was used for investigation. The experimental procedure for
mixing and curing of concrete. The materials used for optimizing material constituents was developed by
designing SCC were subjected to physical and chemical following the procedures laid down by Universitat
characteristic analysis as per the Indian / ASTM Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain [16]. In this
standards. Table 2 shows the physical properties of procedure, concrete is considered to be two phase
constituent materials used for SCC. material consisting of paste and aggregates. The
composition of the concrete was determined by
separately optimizing the paste and the aggregate
skeleton. Paste is the system composed of cement, filler
material (fly ash and Metakaolin), water and
 Table 3: Observation on marsh cone test and mini slump test

f/c (%) w/b Marsh cone test Mini slump test

Saturation point Spread time Final spread Unit weight of paste,
(sp/b) % T115mm (s) diameter (mm) (Kg/l)
0 0.4 0.8 - - -
0.3 0.4 0.8 2.99 138 1.67
0.4 0.4 0.9 2.605 173.75 1.68
0.5 0.4 1 3.01 173.25 1.68
0.6 0.4 1.09 2.69 176.33 1.69
Allowable range 1.1 2-4 s 170-190mm

superplasticizer. Aggregate skeleton is composed of fine
and coarse aggregate.
The dosage of superplasticizer was optimized using
marsh cone test as per EN 445 [17]. The tests were
conducted for different filler cement ratio (f/c) of 0, 0.3,
0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 with fixed water binder ratio of 0.4. The
relation between the flow time and dosage of
superplasticizer (sp/b) for different f/c value is shown in
Figure 2. The optimum dosage of superplasticizer at
saturation point was identified as 0.8,0.8,0.9,1,1.09 for
f/c values 0,0.3,0.4,0.5 and 0.6 respectively. It can be
inferred that slurry with higher filler content requires
more dosage of superplasticizer.
is noted. The time taken for 115mm spread shall be
within 2-4 sec. The diameter of final spread shall be of
170-190mm. The paste prepared with different f/c value
of 0, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 with superplasticizer dosage
(sp/c) optimized from marsh cone test and a fixed water
binder ratio (w/b) of 0.4 is subjected to mini slump test.
Table 3 shows the observation on march cone test and
mini slump test. The optimized dosage of fly ash
considered for design of SCC is f/c=0.5; sp/b=1 and
f/c=0.6; sp/b=1.09. The sand gravel ratio for SCC is
optimized using ASTM C29/ C 29M [18] method. The
relation of bulk density and percentage of void with
varying sand content is shown in figure 3.

Figure 3: Relation of bulk density and percentage of

Figure 2: Relation between flow time and dosage of
superplasticizer (sp/b)
Optimum dosage of filler material was established using
mini slump test. The apparatus consists of flow table
and a mini slump cone with diameter 19mm, 38.1mm at
top and bottom respectively. The paste which
consists of cement, flyash, metakaolin, water and
superplasticizer is poured into the cone until the brim
level. The cone is lifted slowly and the paste is allowed
to flow. The time taken to spread for a diameter of
115mm is flyash, metakaolin, water and superplasticizer
is poured into the cone until the brim level. The cone is
measured and also the diameter of final spread of slurry
void with varying sand content
The percentage of sand which offers minimal void
content and maximum bulk density was interpreted
from Figure 3. The corresponding optimum sand
/gravel ratio=45/55 and minimum void ratio=27.1%.
Three different SCC mix proportions were arrived with
varying paste volume and fine content (fly ash and
Metakaolin) based on the experimental study such as
marsh cone test, mini slump test and bulk density test.
Mix proportion was confirmed as per the specifications
of UNI 11040 [19]. The proportion of materials for the
three different SCC mixes are listed in Table 4.
 Table 4: Proportion of materials for the three different SCC mixes

Description SCC-M1 SCC-M2 SCC- Recommendation limit

M3 (as per UNI 11040)
Paste volume (%) 48 48 49 >40
PPC 53 Grade cement (kg/m3) 420 390 400 Fine content about
fly ash cement ratio (f/c) 0.5 0.6 0.6 500-600kg/m³
Fly ash (kg/m3) 210 234 240
Metakaolin (kg/m3) 8.4 4 4
Water added W/b=0.4 252 249 256 Water/binder ratio 0.31-0.36
Super plasticizer poly carboxylic base (ltr.) 6.3 6.8 7 sp/b=1.1
Sand (kg/m3) 590.27 593 579.83 Coarse aggregate /sand ratio of
Gravel(kg/m3) 732.76 737 719.79 about 1

Self-compacting concrete requires proper mixing of 3.Experimental Investigation

materials to achieve homogenous mixing. First cement,
fly ash and Metakaolin were mixed thoroughly and
added with aggregates. 80% of the gauge water is added
to the dry concrete mix, the remaining 20% is premixed
with superplasticizer and introduced in the later stages.
Vigorous hand mixing is done to simulate site
conditions expected in small level repair works which
may not need a quantity arising out of using a mixer
machine. After ascertaining the fresh concrete
properties, the concrete is poured in the mould without
any compaction to fabricate specimens to conduct
different strength and durability tests. In case of
specimen for conducting accelerated corrosion test, the
rebar used is pickled in 10% Hydrochloric acid solution
added with inhibitor for 10 – 15 minutes for complete
removal of rust followed by alkaline water cleaning
before casting. After placing of concrete, demoulding is
done after 14 hours followed by water curing for the
desired period.
In the present study, the expected characteristics of
SCC used in small repair works such as ability to flow
under own weight without vibration, ability to retain
homogeneity without segregation etc. were focused.
Slump flow, V-funnel, L-Box and U-Box tests were
conducted as per EN Standards to ascertain the fresh
concrete properties for its suitability to repair works.
Table 5 shows the fresh concrete properties of
developed SCC mixes.
Mechanical properties of developed concrete mixes
were found by conducting compressive strength test,
flexural strength test, split tensile strength test and
young’s modulus test as per Indian Standards.
Durability tests conducted include accelerated corrosion
test, rapid chloride penetration test, chloride penetration
test and sorptivity test by following Indian /ASTM
Standards / Guidelines of premier research institutions.
In each category and age, three specimens were cast and
subjected to relevant testing.
Compression strength test was conducted in the
3000kN capacity compression testing machine as per
BIS 516 :1959 [20]. The size of the specimen cast and
tested is 150mm cube. Totally 27 specimens were
subjected to compression strength test. Split tensile
strength test was carried out as per BIS 5816 :1999 [21].
Cylinder specimens of size 100mm diameter and
300mm height were tested in the 1000 kN capacity
compression testing machine attached with special
fixtures. Rectangular concrete prisms of size
100x100x500 mm were subjected to flexure strength
test as per BIS 516:1959. The test was conducted in a 40
tones capacity Universal Testing Machine (UTM) and
totally 9 specimens were tested for flexural strength.
Modulus of elasticity of concrete was found by
conducting test as per BIS 516: 1959 on concrete
cylinder specimens of size 100mm diameter and 300mm
length. Testing was done in a 100kN capacity

Table 5: Test result of workability of self-compacting concrete mixes

Mix ID w/b Sp/b Slump flow T50cm slump V-funnel flow V-funnel flow L-Box U-Box
ratio ratio (mm) flow (s) at Tf (s) at t5 min (sec) h2/h1 (h2-h1)

SCC-M1 0.4 1.1 550 6 18 22 8 0.5

SCC-M2 0.4 1.1 620 5 18 20 10 0.6

SCC-M3 0.4 1.1 665 4 16 27 10 0.5

Recommendation limit 600-800 ≤12 4-12 < Tf + 3 ≤30 >0.80

(as per UNI 11040)
w/b: water/binder (Cement +Fly ash + Metakaolin); Sp/b: Super plasticizer/binder (Cement +Fly ash + Metakaolin)
compression testing machine using extensometer.
Accelerated corrosion test was conducted to find the
resistance offered by the SCC mix against cracking
when it is subjected to severe chloride exposure
conditions. The test was conducted as per procedures
followed in CSIR-Structural Engineering Research
Centre (SERC) and Central Electro Chemical Research
Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi [22]. The test specimen
comprises of 70mm diameter and 115mm height
concrete cylinder with centrally embedded 12mm rebar.
The specimen is placed centrally in the non-conducting
acrylic tank with steel rebar acts as anode, perforated
stainless steel hollow cylinder surrounding the specimen
is the cathode with 3% NaCl solution as an electrolyte.
A constant potential of 12 V was applied to the system
using a DC power supply regulator to accelerate the
corrosion conditions. The variation in the development
of corrosion current was monitored at regular intervals
of 2 hours using a high impedance multimeter until end
of the test. The time required to cause cracking in the
concrete is considered as a relative resistance of the
concrete mix against chloride ingress and subsequent
corrosion. Figure 4 shows the schematic of accelerated
corrosion test set-up [22].
Figure: 4 Schematic of accelerated corrosion test set-
up
The rapid chloride ion penetration test (RCPT) set-up
is similar to the diffusion test and carried out as per
procedure followed in ASTM C1202 [23]. Size of the
concrete slice used in the test is 100mm diameter and
10mm thick. Test duration is 6 hours. Current
development and total charges passed in to the specimen
was monitored continuously during the test period. This
test helps to determine the ability of the concrete to
resist the penetration of chloride in accelerated
conditions
Table 6: Mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete mixes
Description Compressive strength Split tensile strength
(MPa)
7 days 14 days 28 days
SCC-M1 39 43 48 2.5
SCC-M2 24 30 37 2.33
SCC-M3 22 28 36 2.1
ASTM C1585 – 04 [24] was employed to determine
the rate of absorption (Sorptivity) of water by hydraulic
cement concrete by measuring the increase in the mass
of a specimen resulting from absorption of water as a
function of time when only one surface of the specimen
is exposed to water. The depth water depth exposure is
1 to 3 mm and water ingress on unsaturated concrete is
dominated by capillary suction during initial contact
period.
4. Results and discussion
Table 6 shows the observation on mechanical
properties of developed self-compacting concrete when
tested as per Indian Standards. The compressive
strength test results of three different SCC mixes such
as SCC-M1, SCC-M2 and SCC-M3 at the age of 7, 14
and 28 days were listed. It can be inferred that SCC-M1
offered significant increase in compressive strength at
all the tested ages as compared with other tested mixes.
There is a target strength attainment of 60% at 7 days,
70% at 14 days and 80% at the end of 28 days curing.
Whereas Mix SCC-M2 exhibited 40% at 7 days, 50% at
14 days and 62% at 28days which is appreciably less
than the target strength achievement for SCC-M1. The
mix SCC-M3 also found with reduced target strength
attainment in the tested ages as compared to mix SCC-
M1 whereas similar but slightly reduced strength values
as compared to mix SCC-M2. The better performance
of mix SCC-M1 may be due to ternary blending of
cement with increased percentage addition of
metakaoline which react with Ca(OH)2 of cement and
enhanced the hydration reaction and improved the
microstructure of concrete. Since pozzolana action of
metakaolin is significantly high due to its high
concentration of alumina and silica. Despite of 28 day
values, the strength development at later ages is
expected to increase due to secondary hydration of
pozzolana material in the fly ash. The reduced strength
attainment at 28 days for the mixes SCC-M2 and SCC-
M3 may be due to lesser metakaolin content, increased
paste volume due to increased fly ash content and
increased water-binder ratio. Split tensile strength test
results at the age of 28 days for mixes SCC-M1, SCC-
M2 and SCC-M3 is found as 2.5 MPa, 2.33 MPa and
2.1 MPa respectively. This implies that there is a
marginal increase in split tensile strength for SCC-M1
mix as compared to other mixes.
The expected theoretical tensile strength values
calculated as per BIS 456:2000 [25] for mixes SCC-M1,
Modulus of rupture Young’s modulus
(MPa) (GPa)
3.8 26
3.7 24
3.5 22
SCC-M2 and SCC-M3 is 4.8 MPa, 4.3 MPa and 4.2
MPa respectively which overestimates the experimental
tensile strength test results significantly. Flexural
strength values of 3.8 MPa, 3.7 MPa and 3.5 MPa was
observed for concrete beam specimens made of SCC-
M1, SCC-M2 and SCC-M3 mix when tested at the age
of 28 days. There is slightly improved flexural strength
for SCC-M1 mix specimens as compared to other mix
specimens. But flexural strength values calculated as per
BIS 456:2000 is in the range of 4.8 MPa, 4.3 MPa and
4.2 MPa for SCC-M1, SCC-M2 and SCC-M3 mix
respectively. This infers that theoretical values
overestimate the experimental test results appreciably
irrespective of the type of SCC mix.
Modulus of elasticity of developed concrete mixes at
the age of 28 days was observed as 26 GPa, 24 GPa and
22 GPa for SCC mix SCC-M1, SCC-M2 and SCC-M3
respectively. This again reveals that there is a marginal
increase in young’s modulus values for SCC-M1 as
compared to other mixes. But theoretical value of elastic
modulus estimated as per BIS 456:200 are 34 GPa, 30.4
GPa and 30 GPa for SCC-M1, SCC-M2 and SCC-M3
mix respectively. This exhibits that theoretical values
overestimate the experimental results of the order of 25-
30% irrespective of type of SCC mix. Figure 5 shows
the stress –strain behavior of different mixes of SCC.
This shows the linear behavior for all the tested SCC
mixes. The reduction in young’s modulus values may be
due to increased past content and reduced coarse
aggregate content in the developed mixes.
Figure 5: Stress and strain relationship of SCC
mixes
Figure 6 shows the time versus current behavior of
control concrete & SCC mixes in the accelerated
corrosion test during the test period. It can be seen that
there is an increased initial current development for
control concrete as compared to SCC mixes followed by
similar current values until 2000 minutes. Thereafter
there is a steep increase in current values for the small
increment in time which indicates failure of specimen
due to corrosion related cracking. Concrete specimen
made of SCC-M1 and SCC-M2 mix was observed with
minimum initial current development. This value is
persisted until 5000 minutes and followed with gradual
increase in current values during the remaining test
period. Although specimen with SCC-M3 was observed
with minimum initial current development, this
condition remains only for 1000 minutes and thereafter
there is a gradual increase in current values upon time
increment until failure of specimens. It can be
concluded that the specimens with mix SCC-M1 and
SCC-M2 offered significant resistance against
accelerated chloride ingress followed by SCC-M3
specimens. Control concrete specimen exhibited inferior
performance as compared to SCC mix specimens.
Figure 7 shows the comparison of cracking time for
control and SCC mix specimens. It can be seen that
cracking time for control concrete specimen is 40 hours.
Whereas specimens made of SCC mix exhibited
resistance against cracking until 89 hours. This reveals
that SCC specimens offered 2.2 times improved
performance as compared to control concrete. This
improved performance may be due to presence of high
content finer materials and well-designed particle size
distribution, resulted in improved packing and
microstructure formation with optimum water content in
the SCC mix which gave excellent resistance against
accelerated chloride ingress.
Figure 6: Time versus current behavior of control
concrete and SCC mixes
100 89 89
CONTROL 87
90
Cracking Time (hrs)
80 SCC-M1
70 SCC-M2
60 SCC-M3
50 40
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4
Type of Concrete mix
Figure 7: Comparison of cracking time for control
and SCC mix specimens
Table 7 shows the observation on the rapid chloride
penetration test for the developed SCC mixes at the end
of 6-hour test period. It can be observed that the mixes
SCC-M1, SCC-M2 and SCC-M3 exhibited current
values of 1008, 1312 and 1353 coulombs respectively.
According to ASTM C 1202 [23], the values falls under
2000 coulombs falls under low permeability category.
Mix SCC-M1 offered improved resistance against
current development as compared to other SCC mixes.
It can be concluded that the developed SCC mixes
possess excellent impermeability characteristics. Figure
8 shows the time versus current development behavior
of SCC mixes in RCPT test during the test period.
Irrespective of the type of SCC mix, minimal current
development in the initial test period for all the mixes
followed by gradual increase in current values as the
time progress. SCC-M1 offered better resistance against
current development as compared to other SCC mixes
which explicit its improved durability performance.
The improved performance of SCC mixes is due to the
fact that chloride ion penetration depends mainly on the
chloride binding capacity of the constituent materials.
Chlorides penetrate through concrete by diffusion along
water paths or open pores. Some of these chlorides react
with the cement compounds mainly tricalcium-
aluminates (C3A), forming stable chloro complexes.
The excess free chloride leads to the initiation of the
corrosion process. The presence of fly ash content in
SCC leads to an increase in the amount of C3A due to
the higher amount of alumina present in the mix and
increases the calcium silicate hydrate content that is
formed in the pozzolanic reactions.
Figure 8: Time versus current behavior of SCC
mixes in RCPT test
Thus, the chloride binding capacity of concrete tends to
increase with fly ash addition and consequently less free
chloride is available to initiate the corrosion process as
observed by Dinakar et al.
Table 7: Observation on rapid chloride penetration
test
Sl.No. Type of Charge passed (coulombs)
mix (at the end of test period)
1 SCC-M1 1008
2 SCC-M2 1312
3 SCC-M3 1353
Figure 9 shows the relation between water
absorption and square root of time. It can be inferred
that mix SCC-M1 exhibit less water absorption
characteristics as compared to other tested SCC
concrete. The sorptivity value was estimated based on
the slope of the best fit curve of water absorption and
square root of time. It is found that sorptivity value of
mix SCC-M1 is 572 x 10-4 mm/sec. Whereas mixes
SCC-M2 and SCC-M3 were observed with 665 x 10-4
mm/sec and 1154 x 10-4 mm/sec respectively. The
mix SCC-M1 and SCC-M2 offered significant reduction
in sorptivity values as compared to SCC-M3. The
sorptivity values is attributed by the rise of water in the
specimen through capillary action which depends
presence of pores and its connectivity in the
microstructure of concrete. The dense and well packed
microstructure of SCC-M1 and SCC-M2 resulted in
excellent reduction in sorptivity.
Figure 9: Relation between water absorption and
square root of time
5.Conclusions
Over 100 specimens were subjected to workability,
strength and durability test to find the performance of
the optimized SCC mixes. The following conclusions
were drawn based on the test results and further
analysis.
• All the tested SCC mixes showed an
appreciable performance against segregation,
slump flow and filling ability.
• The mix SCC-M1 offered significant increase
in compressive strength at all the tested ages as
compared with other tested mixes.
• There is a marginally improved flexural
strength, split tensile strength and modulus of
elasticity values for SCC-M1 mix as compared
to other SCC mixes.
• Theoretical tensile strength and modulus of
elasticity values of SCC mixes overestimates
the experimental values appreciably.
• Accelerated corrosion test results revealed 2.2
times improved performance for SCC
 specimens irrespective of type as compared to
control concrete.
• The developed current values at the end of test
period in the RCPT test exhibit low chloride
permeability for all the tested RCC mixes.
• Water absorption, chloride penetration and
sorptivity test results explicit the improved
performance of SCC-M1 mix as compared to
other SCC mixes.
• It is concluded that better performance of mix
SCC-M1 may be due to ternary blending of
cement with increased percentage addition of
metakaolin which react with Ca(OH)2 of
cement and enhanced the hydration reaction
and improved the microstructure of concrete.
• The mix SCC-M1 is recommended for small
level repair works which need improved
workability, strength and durability
performance of concrete.
6.References
[1] Pro J.G. Cabrera and Al-Hasan, A.S., Performance
Properties of Concrete Repair Materials, Construction
and Building Materials, Vol.11, pp.283-290, 1997.
[2] Decter, M.H. and Keeley, C., Durability of Concrete
Repair - Importance of Compatibility and Low
Shrinkage, Construction and Building Materials,
Vol.11, pp.267-273, 1997.
[3] Prinya Chindaprasirt, Chai Jaturapitakkul and
Theerawat Sinsiri, Effect of Fly ash Fineness on
Compressive strength and Pore size of Blended Cement
Paste, Cement and Concrete Composite, Vol.27,
pp.425-428, 2005.
[4] Dinakar, P., Babu, K.G. and Manu Santhanam,
Durability Properties of High Fly ash Self-Compacting
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