Influence of controlled permeable formwork liner on surface quality of self compacting concrete

Abstract

The resilience of strengthened or reinforced concrete is dependent upon the superior nature of concrete and its overall quality and excellence as a suitable cover material. Concrete acting as cover material is the only means by which destructive agents or other elements can access or infiltrate the structure resulting in corrosive damage to the rebar and causing other types of damage to occur. As a liner, the controlled permeable formwork (CPF), is an active technique that enhances concrete as a cover material. Moreover, this liner allows for air and water that is trapped inside to drain or spill out from the concrete’s surface while retaining small particles and cement. Accordingly, this not only minimises the porosity of the surface area of concrete, but it also helps towards improving or enriching the actual content. However, it also reduces the size and proportion of water to cement ratio (w/c). This paper aims to present the influence of CPF liner concerning the resilience of surface quality properties of self compacting concrete (SCC). To achieve this aim, concrete samples were cast in relation to the impermeable formwork (IMF) and CPF liner. A series of experimental tests were then conducted at different stages in order to determine rebound number, dynamic hardness number, superficial Rockwell hardness number, wear resistance and abrasion resistance. The findings from conducting the experimental investigations revealed that CPF concrete acquired excellent resistance against the abrasion resistance ranging between 46% and 60%. Furthermore, the results showed that by the application of CPF liner, the cover concrete (thickness: 20 mm) turned harder, when compared to core concrete. The cover concrete (thickness: 15-mm) turned softer than core concrete in conventional cast concrete.