Investigating the use of wollastonite micro fiber in yielding SCC

Abstract

Self compacting concrete (SCC) has good flowability, passability and segregation resistance because of voluminous cementitious material & high coarse aggregate to fine aggregate ratio, and high free water availability. But these factors make it highly susceptible to shrinkage. Fibers are known to reduce shrinkage in concrete mixes. Until now for conserving cement, only pozzolanic materials are admixed in concrete to yield a SCC. Hence, this study compares the use of wollastonite micro fiber (WMF), a cheap pozzolanic easily processed raw mineral fiber, and flyash in yielding economical SCC for rigid pavement. Microsilica was used as a complimentary material with both admixtures. Since WMF has large surface area (827 m2/kg), is acicular in nature; therefore its use in yielding SCC was dubious. Binary and ternary mixes were constituted for WMF and flyash, respectively. Paste mixes were tested for compatibility with superplasticizer and trials were performed on a normal concrete mix of flexural strength 4.5 MPa to yield SCC. Flexural strength test and restrained shrinkage test were performed on those mixes, which qualified self compacting criteria. Results revealed that WMF admixed pastes have high water demand, and comparable setting times to flyash mixes. Workability tests showed that 20% WMF with microsilica (5-7.5%) is efficient enough in achieving SCC and higher flexural strength than normal concrete at 90 days. Also, stress rate due to shrinkage was lesser and time duration for final strain was higher in WMF admixed SCC which encourages its use in yielding a SCC than pozzolanic materials.