Design of robust Self-Compacting concrete based on analysis of component properties

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the impacts of component properties on the robustness of flowable concretes such as Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). We first reviewed the key parameters that identify various component properties. They are the adsorbed polymer layer thickness and adsorption–desorption kinetics of polymers, particle size and distribution of powders, packing properties of powders and aggregates. We then analyzed the SCC robustness index (in terms of yield stress) of the parameters at a given standard variation of each raw component content based on a recently proposed SCC robustness assessment method. The results suggest that when subjected to a standard variation of each raw component, the standard SP, water, and aggregate variations significantly impact SCC robustness. Based on the maps of the robustness index of each key parameter, a general frame of the influence of component properties on SCC robustness was proposed, which provides guidance for designing robust SCC with the raw materials at hand.