Experimental evaluation of temperature during setting of self compacting concrete

Abstract

The cement hydration reaction is an exothermic reaction characterized by rise in temperature within the concrete during its setting phase. This is significant in the case of self-compacting concrete (SCC), having high cement content and low water-cement ratio. An experimental investigation was undertaken to measure the temperature developed during the setting of M-40 grade SCC mix. Two mixes of M-40 grade SCC with natural sand and crushed sand were investigated. Powder mix design was adopted for SCC mixes and fresh state properties were measured for both the mixes. 48-hour temperature data recorded with data logger systems were plotted for the two concrete mixes, along with ambient air temperature. The paper presents the findings from the experimental studies undertaken and attempts to infer the patterns of temperature variation observed during the setting of SCC mixes with natural sand and crushed sand.