Determination of optimum mixture design method for self-compacting concrete: Validation of method with experimental results

Abstract

This paper describes the mixture design method for self-compacting concrete (SCC) while making use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for the design of concrete mixture to assess early age strength and self-compactability. The proposed procedure “strength-based mixture design method” also makes use of packing theory to achieve targeted strength, enhanced durability, and minimum paste volume. The factors that primarily influence the strength and durability of concrete are the amount of SCM, cement, and water. Depending on data from past studies, a relationship between compressive strength and the water-cementitious material ratio is introduced in the proposed mixture design method to achieve targeted early age strength. The optimal percentage of SCM for use in concrete was assessed using strength efficiency method. The proposed mixture design method shows that SCC made with an optimal percentage of metakaolin as SCM at W/CM of 0.38, 0.26, and 0.17 achieved the expected strengths of 60, 90, and 120 MPa, respectively, after 28 days of standard curing.