2012

Ecological Self-Compacting Concrete Using Gum Acacia Species As Plasticizer.

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Ecological Self-Compacting Concrete Using Gum Acacia Species As Plasticizer.

INTRODUCTION. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is an innovative concrete that does not require vibration for placing and compaction. It is able to flow under its own weight, completely filling formwork and achieving full compaction, even in the presence of congested reinforcement. The hardened concrete is dense, homogeneous and has the same engineering properties and durability as traditional vibrated concrete (The European Guidelines for Self Compacting Concrete. May, 2005). Concrete that requires little vibration or compaction has been used in Europe since the early 1970s but self-compacting concrete was not developed until the late 1980s in Japan. In Europe it was probably first used in civil works for transportation networks in Sweden in the mid1990s. The European Commission (EC) funded a multi-national, industry lead project SCC 19972000 and since then SCC has found increasing use in all European countries(The European Guidelines for Self Compacting Concrete. May, 2005). Self-compacting concrete offers a rapid rate of concrete placement, with faster construction times and ease of flow around congested reinforcement. The fluidity and segregation resistance of SCC ensures a high level of homogeneity, minimal concrete voids and uniform concrete strength, providing the potential for a superior level of finish and durability to the structure. SCC is often produced with low water-cement ratio providing the potential for high early strength, earlier demoulding and faster use of elements and structures (The European Guidelines for Self Compacting Concrete. May, 2005). The elimination of vibrating equipment improves the environment on and near construction and precast sites where concrete is being placed, reducing the exposure of workers to noise and vibration. The improved construction practice and performance, combined with the health and safety benefits, make SCC a very attractive solution for both precast concrete and civil engineering construction (The European Guidelines for Self Compacting Concrete. May, 2005).

The self-compacting concrete differs from conventional concrete in the following three characteristic features, namely, appropriate flowability, non-segregation, and no blocking tendency. An increase in the flowability of concrete is known to increase the risk of segregation. Therefore, it is essential to have proper mix design ( R. Sri Ravindrarajah, D. Siladyi and B. Adamopoulos, 2003). SCC can also be used in situations where it is difficult or impossible to use mechanical compaction for fresh concrete, such as underwater concreting, cast in-situ, pile foundations, machine bases and columns or walls with congested reinforcement. The high flow ability of SCC makes it possible to fill the formwork without vibration. Since its inception, it has been widely used in large construction in Japan (Okamura and Ouchi, 2003). However, the development of high flowing self-compacting concrete poses a question of ecofriendliness since admixtures such as super-plasticizers are used to achieve its state of compaction. These admixtures are chemicals produced to improve the quality of concrete by experts in the industry. An admixture is a material other than water, aggregate and hydraulic cement that is used as an ingredient in concrete or mortar and is added to the batch immediately before or during its mixing (C. Arum And A.O. Olotuah, 2006). The general trend towards green building and sustainability leads to demand for environmentally friendly construction chemicals. In addition, the environmental behavior of a newly developed chemical is usually unknown and bears public awareness and legal risks to the producer, distributor and/ or buyer of the product (Andreas Haner, Rene Galli And Mathias Schluep). Sustainability and ecological demands on concrete, adoption and development of workable construction methods have remained a persistent challenge to researchers and developers of concrete admixtures. Therefore, the development of an ecological concrete is the only way to meet these challenges. An ecological concrete is a concrete which according to ecological criteria has an optimized composition of the individual components ( sand/coarse aggregate, cement, water, concrete admixture, additives) as well as high technical specifications (A. Haner, R. Galli and M. Schiuep). Since most plasticizers are synthesized chemically, they pose some ecological threats and increase the cost of concrete production because large amount of concrete is produced using admixtures today. This research seeks to ascertain the viability of using The Nigerian Gum

Acacia Species as plasticizer in self-compacting concrete and its effect on other properties of concrete. The Gum Acacia is well represented throughout the world, with about 1300 species and sub species of the Acacia tree which exude gum ( Amstrong, 1998). Acacia trees are perennial trees which grow wild but are commonly cultivated throughout temperate, tropical and desert regions, and include numerous distinctive growth forms with profusion of yellow or white flower clusters (Amstrong, 1998). Acacia belong to the legume family (Fabacae) (Grieve, 2005). All the gum yielding acacia exhibit the same properties and general appearance (Harvey and John, 1998). The tree grows mainly in the sub-Sahara or Sahel zone of Africa but also in Australia, India and South Africa. The main producing and exporting countries in the Gum belt include Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, Senegal (The defunct Sudanese Government Website, 2005). The cultivation of Gum Arabic in Nigeria is mainly in Borno and yobe states, especially in Damaturu, Gamdu, Gubio, Jakara, Bayamari, Auno Kukawa, Mungono, Ngala and Kai local government areas. Lesser quantities can be obtained in some parts of Adamawa, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Gombe And Bauchi States ( Raw Materials Materials Update, 2000). Acacia Specie is a natural, non-corrosive and non-toxic substance. It is a green material, therefore, its production, usage and storage do not pose any threat to the environment and hence its suitability for use as a plasticizer in the manufacture of self-compacting concrete. It is also a renewable and sustainable material.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM With the unprecedented advantages that come with the development of self-compacting concrete as seen in developed countries, the issue of ecofriendliness arises because of the use of synthetic plasticizers. Also, the cost of these plasticizers increase the cost of concrete production on very small scale projects. This has hindered its wide spread adoption in Africa and other developing countries. Another factor that has contributed to the reluctance in utilizing the advantages of SCC is the lack of research or published research data pertaining to locally sourced plasticizers in its production.

GUM ACACIA Gum arabic as found in nature exists a neutral or slightly acidic calcium, magnesium or potassium salts of complex polysaccharide (Glicksman and Sand 1973, Mantel, 1954). Basu, Dasguppta and Sirckar, as cited by Glicksman and Sand (1973), using light scattering data, suggest that gum Arabic molecules are in the shape of short, stiff spirals with numerous side chains. At maximum molecular charge, the length of the coiled molecule is 1050 A0. Uncharged Arabic acid molecules have an equivalent radius of 555A0 and an effective volume of 7.2X10 6 cm3 /mole. Anderson an Rahman (1966) picture the molecule in solution as a coil with a rootmean square, end-to-end dimension varying from 0.06h at zero charge to 0.24h at maximum charge. Hydrolysis of gum Arabic yields L-arabinose, L-rhamnose, D-galactose and D-glucaronic acid. The glycosidic bonds vary in stability, autohydrolysis of Arabic acid in water (pH 2) yields 34.4% L-arbinose, 14.2% L-rhamnose, and 3-0-d-Dgalactopyranosyl-Larabinose, and partially degraded gum Arabic. Further hydrolysis with mineral acid produced 42.1% D-galactose, 15.5% D-glucuronic acid, and 6-0-(b-D-glucospyranosyluronic acid)-D-galactose. Gum Arabic from different species contains the same sugar in varying proportion (Glicksman and Sand, 1973; Mantell, 1954, NTIS 1972). The main structural feature of gum Arabic is a backbone chain of (1-3)-linked D-galactopyranose units, some of which are substituted at the C6 position with various side chains. Three aspects of the molecular structure are the various acid-labits groups associated with rhamnose located on the periphery of the molecule, the branched framework of D-galactopyranose residues, and the positions of the molecule that give rise to acidic oligosaccharide fragments. The galactan framework contains numerous chains with (13)- linked units bearing (16)-linked side chain location of the (16)-linkages is uncertain, but some of the L-rhamnppyranose residues in gum Arabic are joined (1-4) to glucopyranosyl-uronic acid residues (fig1) (Glicksman and Sand 1973,Mantell 1954). Vendevelde and Fenyo (1985) noted that gum Arabic contains a light-molecular mass protein rich fraction arabino galacton protein complex and a lowmolecular mass protein-deficient fraction on arabino galactan. Fincher et al. (1983) suggested that the gum from Acacia Senegal is an arabinogalactan-protein. The amino acids hydroxyproline and serine are the major constituents of the proteinaceous component of the gum.

Nigerian grades of Acacia species: Four major commercial grades of gum Arabic are produced in commercial quantities in Nigeria (Osagie, 2002). These are as follows: Acacia Senegal (hard gum):-This is known as grade 1 and it is sourced mostly from Yobe and Borno states of Nigeria. Acacia Seyal (friable gum):-It is known as grade 2, sourced mostly from Bauchi and Jigawa states in Nigeria. It has a positive optical rotation. Combretum:-It is commercially called grade three, has a negative optical rotation and is sourced from the fourteen producer states of Nigeria. Neutral:-It is the fourth variety of gum Arabic. It does not have definite biological name but called neutral grade.

Industrial uses of Acacia species: It is used in powdered or oil for suspending sensitizer for hard coating on paper and masking agent in print. It combined with some sensitizer and pigment for print (http://www.nigeriaembassychina.com/eco/PRODUCE %F%20NIGERIA.htm, 2007). It is used in melting yarn chip processes to make yarn stronger and can be added to painting formula to fix pigments in fabrics to save cost. Of the gums used in textile none is as vastly used]. It acts as binder for pigments in watercolor and gouache paintsand in the aluminum plate process. It is used in Plano graphic offset lithography; is mixed with water paint for brighter colors and is used for the preparation of basic, scented ink and black ink. Manufacturers mix it in injection mould for paraffin removal after production (Fennema, 1996). It is excellent in flavour fixation; is effective emulsifying and demulcenting characteristics. It is used for breaking surface tension inside soda and in witchcraft as better wear resistant option to chalk in protective circles (H irst et al., 1989). Gum Arabic is used in pharmaceuticals (calamine lotion, syrup and cod liver oil); confectionery (jujube, pastille, caramel, toffees, candies, beverages and cakes); food (buns, dry dietetic food and special food); cosmetic (lotion, cream and emulsion, cake, rouge and facial mask); and adhesive for paper and liquid gum for general office purposes (Fennema, 1996). A 40% aqueous solution was made into mucilage for office uses (http : / /www.fiirong/ research.htm, 2006).

This review has not shown the use of gum Acacia as Super-plasticizer in Self-Compacting concrete, thereby creating a gap that this work intends to fill in solving the problem of superplasticizers in concrete production in Nigeria.

TEST METHODS ON SCC It is important to appreciate that the test method for SCC has yet been standardized, & the test described are not yet perfect or definitive. The method presented here are descriptions rather than fully detailed procedures. They are mainly methods which have been devised specifically for SCC. Existing rheological test procedure have not been considered here, though the relationship between the results of these tests & the rheological characteristics of the concrete is likely to figure highly in future work, including standardization work. In considering these tests there are number of points which should be taken into account: There is no clear relation between test results and performance on site. There is little precise data, therefore no clear guidance on compliance limits. A concrete mix can only be classified as SCC if the requirements for all the following three workability properties are fulfilled. 1. Filling ability, 2. Passing ability, 3. Segregation resistance. Filling ability: It is the ability of SCC to flow into all spaces within the formwork under its own weight. Tests, such as slump flow, V-funnel etc, are used to determine the filling ability of fresh concrete. Passing ability: It is the ability of SCC to flow through tight openings, such as spaces between steel reinforcing bars, under its own weight. Passing ability can be determined by using U-box, L-box, Fill-box, and J-ring test methods. Segregation resistance: The SCC must meet the filling ability and passing ability with uniform composition throughout the process of transport and placing. The test methods to determine the workability properties of SCC are described as follows:

Slump flow test and T50cm test: Introduction: The slump flow test is used assess the horizontal free flow of in the absence of obstructions. It was first developed in Japan for use in assessment of underwater concrete. The test method is based on the test method for determining the slump .T diameter of the concrete circle is a measure for the filling ability of the concrete. Assessment of test: This is a simple, rapid test procedure, though two people are needed if the T50 time is to be measured. It can be used on site, though the size of the base plate is somewhat unwieldy and level ground is essential. It is the most commonly used test, and gives a good assessment of filling ability. It gives no indication of the ability of the concrete to pass between reinforcement without booking, but may give some indication of resistance to segregation. It can be argued that the completely free flow, unrestrained by any foundries, is not representative of what happens in concrete construction, but the test can be profitably be used to assess the consistency of supply of supply of ready mixed concrete to a site from load to load. Equipment: The apparatus is show in figure; Mould in the shape of a truncated cone with the internal dimensions 200 mm diameter at the base, 100mm diameter at the top and a height of 300 mm. Base plate of a stiff none absorbing material, at least 700mm square, marked with a circle marking the central location for the slump cone, and a further concentric circle of 500mm diameter Trowel Scoop Ruler Stopwatch(optional)

Procedure: About 6 liter of concrete is needed to perform the test, sampled normally. Moisten the base plate and inside of slump cone, place base plate on level stable ground and the slump cone centrally on the base plate and hold down firmly. Fill the cone with the scoop. Do not tamp, simply strike off the concrete level with the top of the cone with the trowel. Remove any surplus concrete from around the base of the cone. Raise the cone vertically and allow the concrete to flow out freely. Simultaneously, start the stopwatch and record the time taken for the concrete to reach the 00mm spread circle (This is the T50 time).floatable test, might be appropriate. The T50 time is secondary indication of flow. A lower time indicates greater flow ability. The Brite EuRam research suggested that a time of 3-7 seconds is acceptable for civil engineering applications, and 2-5 seconds for housing applications. In case of severe segregation most coarse aggregate will remain in the centre of the pool of concrete and mortar and cement paste at the concrete periphery. In case of minor segregation a border of mortar without coarse aggregate can occur at the edge of the pool of concrete. If none of these phenomena appear it is no assurance that segregation will not occur since this is a time related aspect that can occur after a longer period.

V funnel test and V funnel test at T 5 minutes Introduction: The equipment consists of a v shaped funnel as, show in Fig. An alternative type of V-funnel, the O funnel, with circular. The test was developed in Japan and used by Ozawa et al. The equipment consists of V-shaped funnel section is also used in Japan. The described V-funnel test is used to determine the filling ability (flow ability) of the concrete with a maximum aggregate size of 20mm. The funnel is filled with about 12 liter of concrete and the time taken for it to flow through the apparatus measured. After this the funnel can be refilled concrete and left for 5 minutes to settle. If the concrete shows segregation then the flow time will increases significantly. Assessment of test: Though the test is designed to measure flow ability, the result is affected by concrete properties other than flow. The inverted cone shape will cause any liability of the concrete to block to be reflected in the result-if, for example there is too much coarse aggregate. High flow time can also be associated with low deformability due to a high paste viscosity, and with high interparticle friction. While the apparatus is simple, the effect of the angle of the funnel and the wall effect on the flow of concrete is not clear.

Equipment: V-funnel Bucket (12 liter) Trowel Scoop Stopwatch

V Funnel test Apparatus

Procedure flow time: About 12 liter of concrete is needed to perform the test, sampled normally. Set the V-funnel on firm ground. Moisten the inside surface of the funnel. Keep the trap door to allow any surplus water to drain. Close the trap door and place a bucket underneath. Fill the apparatus completely with the concrete without compacting or tamping; simply strike off the concrete level with the top with the trowel. Open within 10 sec after filling the trap door and allow the concrete to flow out under gravity. Start the stop watch when the trap door is opened, and record the time for the complete discharge

(the flow time). This is taken to be when light is seen from above through the funnel. The whole test has to be performed within 5 minutes. Procedure flow time at T5 minutes: Do not clean or moisten the inside surface of the funnel gain. Close the trap door and refill the Vfunnel immediately after measuring the flow time. Place a bucket underneath. Fill the apparatus completely with concrete without compacting or tapping, simply strike off the concrete level with the top with the trowel. Open the trap door 5 minutes after the second fill of the funnel and allow the concrete to flow out under gravity. Simultaneously start the stop watch when the trap door is opened and record the time discharge to complete flow (the flow time at T5 minutes). This is to be taken when light is seen from above through the funnel. Interpretation of result: This test measures the ease of flow of concrete, shorter flow time indicates greater flow ability. For SCC a flow time of 10 seconds is considered appropriate. The inverted cone shape restricts the flow, and prolonged flow times may give some indication of the susceptibility of the mix to blocking. After 5 minutes of settling, segregation of concrete will show a less continuous flow with an increase in flow time. L Box Test Introduction: This test is based on a Japanese design for under water concrete, has been described by Peterson. The test assesses the flow of the concrete and also the extent to which it is subjected to blocking by reinforcement. The apparatus is shown in the figure. The apparatus consist of rectangular section box in the shape of an L, with a vertical and horizontal section, separated by a movable gate, in front of which vertical length of reinforcement bar are fitted. The vertical section is filled with concrete, and then the gate lifted to let the concrete flow into the horizontal section. When the flow has stopped, the height of the concrete at the end of the horizontal section is expressed as a proportion of that remaining in the vertical section. It indicates the slope of the concrete when at rest. This is an indication passing ability, or the degree to which the passage of concrete through the bars is restricted. The horizontal section of the box can be marked at 200mm and 400mm from the gate and the times taken to reach these points measured. These are known as the T20 and T40 times and are an indication for the filling ability. The section of bar cone be of different diameters and are spaced at different intervals, in accordance with normal

reinforcement considerations, 3x the maximum aggregate size might be appropriate. The bar can principally be set at any spacing to impose a more or less severe test of the passing ability of the concrete. Assessment of test: This is a widely used test, suitable for laboratory and perhaps site use. It asses filling and passing ability of SCC, and serious lack of stability (segregation) can be detected visually. Segregation may also be detected by subsequently sawing and inspecting sections of the concrete in the horizontal section. Unfortunately there is no arrangement t on materials or dimensions or reinforcing bar arrangement, so it is difficult to compare test results. There is no evidence of what effect the wall of the apparatus and the consequent wall effect might have on the concrete flow, but this arrangement does, to some extent, replicate what happens to concrete on site when it is confined within formwork. Two operators are required if times are measured, and a degree of operator error is inevitable.

Equipment: L box of a stiff non absorbing material Trowel Scoop Stopwatch

L Box test Apparatus Procedure: About 14 liter of concrete needed to perform the test, sampled normally. Set the apparatus level on firm ground, ensure that the sliding gate can open freely and then close it. Moisten the inside surface of the apparatus, remove any surplus water, fill the vertical section of the apparatus with the concrete sample. Leave it stand for 1 minute. Lift the sliding gate and allow the concrete to flow out into the horizontal section. Simultaneously, start the stopwatch and record the time for the concrete to reach the concrete 200 and 400 marks. When the concrete stops flowing, the

distances H1 and H2 are measured. Calculate H2/H1, the blocking ratio. The whole has tom performed within 5 minutes. Interpretation of the result: If the concrete flows as freely as water, at rest it will be horizontal, so H2/H1=1. Therefore the nearest this test value, the blocking ratio, is unity, the better the flow of concrete. The EU research team suggested a minimum acceptable value of 0.8. T20 and T40 time can give some indication of ease of flow, but no suitable values have been generally agreed. Obvious blocking of coarse aggregate behind the reinforcement bars can be detected visually. U box test method Introduction: The test was developed by the Technology Research Centre of the Taisei Corporation in Japan. Some time the apparatus is called a box shaped test. The test is used to measure the filing ability of self compacting concrete. The apparatus consists of a vessel that is divided by a middle wall into two compartments; an opening with a sliding gate is fitted between the two sections. Reinforcing bar with nominal diameter of 134 mm are installed at the gate with centre to centre spacing of 50 mm. this create a clear spacing of 35 mm between bars. The left hand section is filled with about 20 liter of concrete then the gate is lifted and the concrete flows upwards into the other section. The height of the concrete in both sections is measured. Assessment of test: This is a simple test to conduct, but the equipment may be difficult to construct. It provides a good direct assessment of filling ability-this is literally what the concrete has to do- modified by an unmeasured requirement for passing ability. The 35 mm gap between the sections of reinforcement may be considered too close. The question remains open of what filling height less than 30cm is still acceptable. Equipment: U box of a stiff non absorbing material Scoop Trowel Stopwatch

U box test Apparatus Procedure: About 20 liter of concrete is needed to perform the test, sampled normally. Set the apparatus level on firm ground, ensure that the sliding gate can open freely and then close it. Moisten the inside surface of the apparatus, remove any surplus water, fill the vertical section of the apparatus with the concrete sample. Leave it stand for 1 minute. Lift the sliding gate and allow the concrete to flow out into the other compartment. After the concrete has come to rest, measure the height of the concrete in the compartment that has been filled, in two places and calculate the mean (H1). Measure also the height in the other equipment (H2). Calculate H1-H2, the filling height. The whole test has to be performed within 5 minutes.

Interpretation of the result: If the concrete flows as freely as water, at rest it will be horizontal, so H1- H2=0. Therefore the nearest this test value, the filling height, is to zero, the better the flow and passing ability of the concrete. Fill box test method Introduction: This test is also known as Kajima test. The test is used to measure the filling ability of self compacting concrete with a maximum aggregate size of 20 mm. the apparatus consists of a container (transparent) with a flat and smooth surface. In the container are 35 obstacles are made of PVC with a diameter of 20mm and a distance centre to centre of 50mm, see figure. At the top side is a put filling pipe (diameter 100mm height 500mm) with a funnel (height 100mm). The container is filled with concrete through this filling pipe and difference in height between two sides of the container is a measure for the filling ability. Assessment of test: This is a test that is difficult to perform on site due to the complex structure of the apparatus and large weight of the concrete. It gives a good impression of the self compacting characteristics of the concrete. Even a concrete mix with a high filling ability will perform poorly if the passing ability and segregation resistance are poor. Equipment Fill box of a stiff non absorbing material Scoop 1.5 to 2 liter Ruler Stopwatch

Detail dimensions & c/s of fill box

Detail of fill box empty & filled with concrete Procedure: About 45 liter of concrete is needed to perform the test, sampled normally. Set the apparatus level on firm ground, ensure that the sliding gate can open freely and then close it. Moisten the inside surface of the apparatus, remove any surplus water, fill the apparatus with the concrete sample. Fill the container by adding each 5 seconds one scoop with 1.5 to 2 liters of fresh

concrete into the funnel until the concrete has just covered the first top obstacle. Measure after the concrete has come to rest, the height at the side at which the container has filled on two places and calculate the average (H1). Do this also on opposite side (H2). Calculate the average filling percentage: average filling percentage F= {(H1+H2)/2*H1}*100%. The whole procedure has to be performed within 8 minutes. Interpretation of the result: If the concrete flows as freely as water, at rest it will be horizontal, so average filling percentage = 100%. Therefore the nearest this test value, the filling height, is to be 100%, the better self compacting characteristics of the concrete.

MIX DESIGN OF SCC Before any SCC is produced at a concrete plant and used on construction sites, the mix has to be designed and tested. During this evaluation the equipments and the local Materials used at the plants have to be tested to find new concrete mixes with the right mixing sequences and mixing times valid for that plant and material used and also suitable for the element to be cast. Various kinds of fillers can result in different strength, shrinkage and creep but shrinkage and creep will usually no t be higher than for traditional vibrated concrete.

General Requirements in the mix design A high volume of paste: the friction between the aggregate limits the spreading and the filling ability of SCC. This is the why SCC contains a high volume of paste (cement + additions + efficient water + air), typically 330 to 400 l/m, the role of which is to maintain aggregate separation. A high volume of the particles (<80m): In order to ensure sufficient workability while limiting the risk of segregation or bleeding, SCC contains a large amount of fine particles (around 500 kg/m). Nevertheless, in order to avoid excessive heat generation, the Portland cement is generally partially replaced by mineral admixtures like fly ash (cement should not be used as a filler). The nature and the amount of filler added are chosen in order to comply with the strength & durability requirements. A high dosage of super plasticizer: Super plasticizers are introduced in SCC to obtain the fluidity. Nevertheless a high dosage near the saturation amount can increases the proneness of the concrete to segregate.

The possible use of viscosity agent (water retainer): these products are generally cellulose derivatives, polysaccharides or colloidal suspensions. These products have the same role as the fine particles, minimizing bleeding and coarse aggregate segregation by thickening the paste and retaining the water in the skeleton. The introduction of such products in SCC seems to be justified in the case of SCC with the high water to binder ratio (for e.g. residential building). On the other hand, they may be less useful for high performance SCC (strength higher than 50 MPa) with low water to binder ratio. For intermediate SCC, the introduction of viscosity agent has to be studied for each case. Viscosity agents are assumed to make SCC less sensitive to water variations in water content of aggregates occurring in concrete plants. Because of the small quantities of viscosity agents required, however it may be difficult to achieve the accuracy of dosage. A low volume of coarse aggregate: it is possible to use natural rounded, semi crushed or crushed aggregate to produce SCC. Nevertheless, as the coarse aggregate plays an important role on the passing ability of SCC in congested areas, the volume has to be limited. On the other hand the use of coarse aggregate allows optimizing the packing density of the skeleton of the concrete & reduction of the paste volume needed for the target workability. Generally speaking, the maximum aggregate size (Dmax) is between 10mm &20mm. the passing ability decreases when Dmax increases, which leads to decrease of the coarse aggregate content. The choice of a higher Dmax is thus possible but is only justified with low reinforcement content. Admixtures added to SCC can have a retarding effect on the strength and the temperature development in the fresh concrete, & this will have to be borne in mind in the construction process. Suppliers of admixture can produce various admixtures suitable for different weather conditions & temperatures. ECONOMICS OF SCC Savings in labor costs might offset the increased cost related to the use of more cement and super plasticizer, and the mineral admixtures, such as pulverized fuel ash (PFA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) or lime stone powder (LSP), could increase the fluidity of the concrete, without any increase in the cost. These supplementary cementing materials also enhance the rheological parameters and reduce the risk of cracking due to the decreased heat of hydration, and therefore, improve the durability

Advantages of SCC Self compacting concrete that is able to flow under its own weight and completely fill the form work, even in the presence of dense reinforcement, without the need of any vibration, whilst maintaining homogeneity has the following advantages; Financial & Environmental Benefits Minimal labor involved Rapid construction without mechanical vibration Low noise-level in the plants and construction sites Safer working environment Accelerated project schedules Reduced equipment wear Allows for innovative architectural features Greater Range of Precast Productions Engineering Benefits Better surface finishes Easier placing Improved durability Greater freedom in design Thinner concrete sections Ease of filling restricted sections and hard to reach areas Encapsulate congested reinforcement Allows for innovative architectural features Homogeneous and uniform concrete Better reinforcement bonding TIME LINE Like every test for concrete, the laboratory work will require a minimum of 90days for all test samples to be tested. The application of this concrete in practice will be in prototype residential buildings using OPC-Pozzolana blended cement and sandcrete blocks, and will take a longer time. For the purpose of this research, a period of three years has been set to adequately observe the properties of this concrete in buildings.

Research Phase

Time Line

Laboratory Work (Bench Work) 120days Prototype Buildings 3years

ESTIMATED COST OF RESEARCH Bench Work: N600,000 Parcel Of Land: N500,000 Prototype Buildings (3.No): N9,000,000 Total Cost Of Research: N10,100,000.