Experimental Investigation on Properties of Self-Compacting and Self-Curing Concrete with Silica Fume and Light Weight Aggregates

Abstract

Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world after water and it is used most widely in the construction industry due to its high compressive strength and other properties. This paper deals with an experimental investigation on the characteristics of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and self-compacting and self-curing concrete (SCSCC) prepared by (i) partially replacing coarse aggregate with light weight aggregate (LWA) and (ii) adding super absorbent polymer (SAP) in the form of sodium polyacrylate as a self-curing admixture to cure the concrete internally at ambient temperature. 60 concrete cube specimens (SCC and SCSCC) and 60 concrete beam specimens (SCC and SCSCC) were cast for determining the compressive strength and flexural strength. Silica fume (SF) (11% of weight of cement) and superplasticizer (SP) (1% of weight of cement+silica fume) were used in all the test specimens. The self-compacting concrete (SCC) specimens were cured in water at ambient temperature for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days in the conventional manner. The SCSCC specimens were self-cured. The conventional Slump, T50cm slump, J-ring, V-funnel, U-box and L-box tests were carried out on fresh SCC and fresh SCSCC having different proportions. The compressive and flexural strengths of SCC as well as SCSCC in the hardened state were also determined. All the concrete types viz., SCC, SCSCC-1 (0.15% SAP), SCSCC-2 (0.3% SAP), SCSCC-3 (10% LWA) and SCSCC-4 (15% LWA) considered in the present work satisfy the flow criteria. For all the concrete types, both the compressive strength and flexural strength increase with age. SCSCC-2 gives the highest value for compressive strength as well as flexural strength at any age compared to others. SCSCC-4 gives lowest value for compressive strength as well as flexural strength at any age compared to others. SCSCC-1 and SCSCC-2 have better flexural strengths compared to SCC and SCSCC-3 and SCSCC- 4.