The inuence of selected new generation admixtures on the workability,

air-voids parameters and frost-resistance of self compacting concrete

Beata az niewska-Piekarczyk

Silesian Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Building Processes, Akademicka 5 Str., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 4 October 2011
Received in revised form 31 December 2011
Accepted 31 December 2011
Available online 1 February 2012
Keywords:
Self-compacting concrete
Concrete admixtures
Frost-resistance
Durability coefcient
Air-void parameter
a b s t r a c t
The inuence of a new generation superplasticizer (SP) type, air-entraining admixture (AEA), viscosity
modifying admixture (VMA) and anti-foaming admixture (AFA) on the air-content, workability of self-
compacting concrete (SCC) is analyzed in the paper. The purpose of this study was to examine the inu-
ence of the admixtures on porosity and pore size distribution of SCC at constant water on cement ratio,
type and volume of aggregate and volume of cement paste. The compressive strength, frost resistance and
durability coefcient (DF), parameters of the air-voids of hardened SCC are also investigated.
2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
The self-compacting concrete has to fulll contradictory
requirements of high owability when it is being cast and high vis-
cosity when it is at rest, in order to prevent segregation. These
requirements make use of the mineral and chemical admixtures
essential for SCC. The high owability is achieved using superplast-
icizers (SPs), while stability against segregation is achieved either
by using a large quantity of ne materials, or by using an appropri-
ate viscosity modifying agent (VMA).
EFNARC 2002 [1] was the rst internationally recognized set of
guidelines and specications for self-compacting concrete. How-
ever, it proposed of a single range of workability for all applications.
Subsequent studies from Europe indicated that different applica-
tions require the self-compacting concrete to have different ranges
of owability and segregation resistance. This aspect has been
incorporated in EFNARC 2005 [2]. SCC is nowclassied into differ-
ent consistency classes based on its slump ow and ow time
through V Funnel. Slump ow (SF) and T
500
time (VS) is a test to
assess the owability and the ow rate of SCC in the absence of
obstructions. It is based on the slump test described in EN 1235-
2. The result is an indication of the lling ability of SCC, and the
T
500
time is a measure of the speed of ow and hence the viscosity.
The fresh concrete is poured into a cone. When the cone is upwards
the time from commencing upward movement the cone to when
the concrete has owed to a diameter of 500 mm is measured; this
is the T
500
time. The largest diameter of the slow spread of the con-
crete and the diameter of the spread at right angles to it are then
measured and the mean is the slump-ow. The upper and lower
limits of slump-ow classes (SF) are the following [2]: SF1 slump
ow from 50 to 650 mm, SF2 slump ow from 660 to 750 mm,
SF3 slump ow from 760 to 850 mm. While the upper and lower
limits of viscosity classes (VS) are the following [2]: VS1 T
500
less
than or equal to 2 s., VS2 T
500
greater than 2 s. The owability (SF)
and viscosity (VS) classes of SCC depend on the values of rheological
properties of cement paste. The value of SCC owdiameter depends
on the mix yield stress s
0m
, whereas SCC time ow depends on its
plastic viscosity g
pl
.
The cement particles are always agglomerated in water suspen-
sions. This leads to a viscosity increase by an apparent particle
volume increase. A part of water is entrapped in the porosity of
the agglomerates and does not contribute to the owability. The
role of the superplasticizers (polymers) is essentially to break down
these agglomerates by modifying the balance of interparticle forces.
In case of non-air-entrained SCC, achieving low air-content
might became a slightly problematic task [36]. Certain SP of
new generation produce an excessive air-entrainment remaining
in the volume of the fresh mix (Table 1) and concrete [7], although
the mix meets commonly accepted criteria of technical tests
according to [2]. Thus, SP should be compatible with cement, but
they should not increase the air content in SCC.
Four mechanisms might act for the dispersion of cement parti-
cles, as well as for other powders (Fig. 1) [8,9]:
0950-0618/$ - see front matter 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.12.107

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E-mail address: beata.lazniewska@polsl.pl
Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319
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Creating grease layer on the cement and grains of micro-ller,
decreasing internal friction of concrete mix (SMF sulfone
melamine-formaldehygenic resin).
Surrounding grains of cement with negative charge, causing
their mutual repulsion (SNF sulfonenaphtelene-formadelhygenic
resins), the type of superplasticizer dictates the value of
molecules dispersion force, which measure is jeta surface poten-
tial, with the value increase of this potential, the force of
molecules dispersion increases.
Decreasing of surface water tension in relation to cement and
micro-llers (MLS modied lime or sodium lingisulfones; other
products are: copolymers of formic acid with naphtylic-sulfone
acid, copolymers of methacrylate acid with sodium salt or poly-
ethylene glycol).
Sterole they create long chains of polymere, physically pre-
cluding the cements grains to approach each other (new-sec-
ond-generation of uxing admixtures; substances from the
polycarboxylants group (PC), copolymers of acryl acid with
acrylate (CAE) and not acryl resins (CLAP)). Such work results
in a situation where admixtures of new generation function
preventively instead of smashing already formed cements
grains agglomerates, they do not allow their forming.
The two most important mechanisms are linked to polymer
adsorption: steric hindrance through the adsorbed layer thickness
and electrostatic repulsion through the induced electrical charge.
In reality, once the particles are close enough for their adsorbed
layers to overlap, both effects come into play. Understanding
which mechanism is dominant and what parameters have an ef-
fect, is essential for the design of polymers with improved perfor-
mances. It should also allow a better use of common polymers.
Much has been learned from the eld of colloidal science, where
surface forces and their role on interparticle interactions have been
a subject of ongoing research for many years. The molecules of SP
should also modify the surface of solid particles in order to keep its
hydrophilic character. The air bubbles can adhere only to hydro-
phobic surfaces. The presence of listed functional groups (oxygen
in form of etheric group (O), hydroxyl group (OH) and carboxyl
group) produce water surface tension decrease, producing occula-
tion of associated molecules and increase in moisture of not only
grains of cement but also the whole mineral framework [9]. In
the superplasticizers group there are ones that show only disper-
sion functioning not decreasing surface tension [10]. They are:
hydrocarboxylen acid salts, sulfonic melamine-formaldehygenic
resins, for-maldehygenic picodensats salts of beta-naphtalenesulf-
onic acid.
Moreover, the type of new generation SP is very important to
achieve stability and high level of uidity of SCC. Bareld and Gha-
foori [11] study indicated that a polycar-boxylate-ester (PCE) SP
needed a larger dosage to impart the same owability to SCC than
a polycar-boxylate-acid (PCA) SP. Additionally, when using a PCE
SP, VMA was always required to maintain stability.
The AFA decreases effectively the air-content in SCC [12]. Such
admixtures are not commonly used in the technology of SCC. The
components and their proportions used in the anti-foaming admix-
tures, as in SP, are known only to the producers. These ingredients
could be mineral oils, silicone oils, organic modied silicones,
hydrophobic constant molecules (silica, waxes, higher fatty acids
soaps, alcohols and fatty acids), emulsiers, polyalcohol or alcohol
derivatives of organic compounds. Mixes of the active components
mentioned above could have a synergetic effect. Unfortunately, the
high price and insufcient recognition of inuence on the fresh mix
and concrete properties do not promote wider use of the anti-
foaming admixtures. The mechanism of anti-foaming admixture
functioning may be explained in the following way. The active
components are distributed around the air bubbles, displacing sur-
factant molecules. As a result, the thickness of the lamella wall
built of surfactant leads to its destabilization and in effect to the
bubble fracture or coalescence. It is advisable to carry on proper
tests for verication of the inuence of anti-foaming admixtures
on the air-entrainment, rheological properties, stability of self-
compacting concrete mix, frost resistance of SCC and porosity char-
acteristic according to EN 480-11.
In case of air-entraining SCC, as with the non-entraining SCC,
achieving the suitable air void characteristics is also a difcult task
[3,4,6]. At a considerable uidity of self-compacting concrete mix,
air bubbles, presented in the air entrained concrete mix, can be
unstable because of oating and coalescence of the air bubbles or
fading of bubbles with a diameter less than 0.10 mm [3,4]. Inten-
tionally introduced air bubbles are unstable due to the high level
of consistency of self-compacting mix. In case of too high level of
mix consistency, which encourages the segregation of the mix,
VMA should be used. The thixotropic property increases the stabil-
ity of the concrete and reduces the risk of segregation after casting.
Fig. 1. Types of superplasticizer action: (a) creating grease layer (b) surrounding grains of cement with negative charge, (c) decreasing of surface water tension (d) long
chains of polymer, physically precluding the grains of cement to approach each other [8].
Table 1
The inuence of SP type on the concrete air-entrainment [8].
SP LS SNF SMF New generation SP
PCP AAP
Air volume ++ + 0 ++ ++
Where: LS Lignosulfonate, SNF Sulfonated Naphtalene Formaldehyde Conden-
sate, SMF Sulfonated Melamine Formaldehyde Condensate, PCP PolyCarboxylate
Polyoxyethylene, AAP Amino Phosphonate Polyoxyethylene.
B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319 311
The common VMAs in concrete include microbial polysaccha-
rides (such as Welan gum), cellulose derivatives (methyl cellulose),
and acrylic polymers [13,14]. The mechanismof action in each case
is different. Some VMAs adsorb on cement particles and increase
viscosity by promoting inter-particle attraction [1517]. The mix-
ture containing VMA exhibits shear-thinning behavior whereby
apparent viscosity decreases with the increase in shear rate. Such
concrete is typically thixotropic, where the viscosity buildup is pro-
moted due to the association and entanglement of polymer chains
of the VMA at a low shear rate that can further inhibit ow and in-
crease viscosity. The thixotropic property increases the stability of
the concrete and reduces the risk of segregation after casting [18].
An air-entraining admixture (AEA) is also required in order to
produce the air bubbles dispersed throughout the concrete, which
ultimately provides durability for the hardened concrete in freezing
and thawing situations. The air-entraining agents are typically
either surfactants that aid in bubble stabilization by reducing the
surface tension of water, or substances that produce a water-repel-
lant precipitate when mixed with concrete. It is well documented
that specic limits on the air void characteristics can greatly im-
prove the frost durability of concrete when exposed to water, even
in self-consolidating concrete [3]. For self-consolidating concrete
mixtures, past research indicates that increasing slump ow in-
creases the demand for AEA to entrain a given volume of air
[3,19,20]. The air bubbles can move more freely in concrete when
it is highly uid; therefore, there is increased occurrence of bubble
coalescence and rupturing. To a certain degree, a SCC mixture with
a high viscosity (usually accompanying a lower slump ow) pre-
vents bubbles from rupturing or coalescing by creating a cushion
effect for the air voids to remain unaffected by mixing and other
disturbances [21]. While the higher uidity of SCC can have a desta-
bilizing effect on air voids once they are formed, the usage of
admixtures such as VMA and SP can reduce the ability of the air-
entraining admixture (AEA) to create a proper air void system [3].
The other admixtures can interfere with the ability of AEA to stabi-
lize air voids in concrete by the way in which they interact on a
molecular level. The uidity of SCC affects the generation and
stability of the air voids in a concrete matrix by increasing bubble
coalescence, and by increasing interaction between admixtures,
which can inhibit the effectiveness of a given amount of AEA [11].
Many inorganic electrolytes and polar organic materials inu-
ence the foaming ability of surfactants [21]. Because of the com-
plexity of modern AEAs and other chemical admixtures, it is
impossible to generalize the effects of their interactions with sur-
factants on the air entrainment. The compatibility of the admix-
tures should be experimentally examined if the effects of such
combinations are not known in advance. Most organic chemical
admixtures will increase the air entrainment partly because they
may reduce adsorbed AEA molecules on solid surface through com-
petition, such as super plasticizers. In addition, macromolecular
materials may help stabilize the dispersed air bubbles. Further-
more, some high-range water reducers may have the air-entraining
potential themselves [21]. The VMAs inuence the air bubbles
stability too.
Research results proved that VMA inuences on air-content in
SCC [4,18]. In publication [18] nine concrete mixes were tested
including one mix with COM (the chemical composition of COM
is a commercial patent and it is composed of a combination of SP
and VMA.), one mix with Welan gum, one control mix and six
mixes with various dosages of four novel polysaccharide-based
VMAs. W/C of all the concrete mixes was kept constant at about
0.45 while the proportion of coarse and ne aggregates was kept
at 1:1. The research results [18] indicated that the air content
seems to decrease with the increase of VMA content in the SCC
mixes. This suggests that the incorporation of VMA will probably
necessitate greater additions of air entraining agents to secure a gi-
ven air volume. This nding is consistent with that suggested by
Khayat [4].
This article presents the development of SCC with two different
types of new generation SP: SP1 (with air entraining side effect)
and SP2 (without entraining side effect) and one type new genera-
tion of VMA, AEA and AFA. It establishes the following main aim of
the use of the admixtures (Table 4).
The main objective of the research is to determine the inuence
the admixtures on the rheological aspect, air-content in fresh con-
crete mix, porosity characteristics of hardened SCC, frost-resis-
tance, durability coefcient and effects of admixture source on
the relationships between the air-voids parameter and frost resis-
tance of concrete. Because the rheological properties inuence the
air-content in SCC, a study was then carried out on the fresh and
hardened properties of different SCC mixtures with various dos-
ages of admixtures to achieve the same consistency class (SF2).
2. Research signicance
Using various admixture manufacturers available commercially
will provide builders and engineers awareness and knowledge on
the complexities associated with the development and production
Table 2
The main aim of the use of the admixtures.
Combination of
admixtures
The main aim of use the of the admixtures
SP1 The air-entrained SCC (as a result of side effect of SP1)
SP1 + AFA Elimination of too high air-content (as a result of side
effect of SP1) in SCC
SP2 Non air-entrained SCC
SP2 + VMA Elimination of segregation as a result of SP2 action
SP2 + AEA Intentionally air-entrained SCC
SP2 + AEA + VMA Elimination of segregation as a result of SP2 and AEA
action
Table 4
The chemical and physical properties of lime stone.
Chemical analyses (%) Loss on ignition Specic gravity (g/cm
3
)
CaCO
3
SiO
2
+ NR MgCO
3
Fe
2
O
3
Al
2
O
3
Na
2
O K
2
O S
96.00 1.50 1.40 0.11 0.08 0.023 0037 0.03 43.75 2.7
Table 3
The chemical and physical properties of CEM II/B-S 32.5 R.
Chemical analyses (%) Specic surface Blaine
(cm
2
/g)
Specic gravity
(g/cm
3
)
Compressive strength
(MPa)
Setting time, vicat test (min)
SiO
2
CaO Al
2
O
3
Fe
2
O
3
MgO Na
2
Oe SO
3
Initial setting Final setting
24.7 56.7 6.3 2.3 2.9 0.7 3.2 3250 3.0 42.4 240 270
312 B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319
of SCC. This research is important in cold regions where concrete
must have adequate frost durability under repetitive freezing and
thawing cycles. It is important to determine the effects of modi-
cation of the non-air-entrained SCC and air-entrained SCC by
VMA and AFA. The effects of admixtures actions may inuence
the air-voids parameters and frost resistance of concrete. The rela-
tionship between the parameters and frost resistance may be
different under the inuence of the admixtures.
3. Materials and description of the tests
The experimental investigation was carried out in two phases. In Phase 1, tests
were carried out on various concrete mixes with SP1, SP2 and one type of VMA, AEA
and AFA. The admixtures are commercial used in Poland. The Phase 2 investigated
the properties of the hardened concrete.
3.1. Examined materials
3.1.1. Cement, mineral additives and aggregates
A type CEM II/B-S 32.5 R cement with specic gravity of 3.00 and Blaine neness
of 3250 cm
2
/g was used. Chemical and physical properties of cement are shown in
Table 3. The chemical and physical properties of a lime stone are shown in Table 4.
Twenty-millimeter maximum size crushed limestone, local natural sand, ne and
8 mm maximum size gravel aggregates, were used in concrete mix, respectively.
The properties of sand and gravel aggregate are presented in Tables 5 and 6.
Fig. 2 presents the grading of ne and coarse aggregates. Water was used according
to EN 1008.
3.1.2. Chemical admixtures
The properties of admixtures are presented in Table 9. SP 1 and SP 2 composed
of different type of polycarboxyl ether, having total solid content of 30.0% were sed.
The synthetic copolymer based on VMA (suspension in water) was used (Table 7).
AEA is composed of synthetic tensid. The chemical composition of SP1, SP2, VMA
and AEA is a proprietary commercial patent. The percentages of VMA and SP were
calculated on the basis of total solid content to achieve the same of SF2 and VS2
consistency class of SCC. All tests in this study were carried out at room
temperature.
3.2. Phase 1: mix proportion and its preparation
Six self-compacting concrete mixes (Tables 2 and 8) were made to study the ef-
fect of SP, VMA, AFA and AEA on the rheological properties and air-content of the
mixture. The proportion of cement, lime stone, water, coarse aggregate and sand
was kept constant.
The following combination of the admixtures was used (Table 8): SP1 (with air-
entraining side effect), SP2 (without air-entraining side effect), AFA, VMA, AEA and
AFA. Because the consistency of the concrete mix inuences the air-content in SCC
[22], the dosages of the SP, VMA were conformed to the same slump ow class (SF2)
of SCC. The details of the concrete mix proportions are summarized in Table 8. AEA
was conformed to the air content value 47%.
The concrete was produced in a horizontal pan mixer with capacity of 0.070 m
3
.
The sand and coarse aggregate were rst mixed for 1 min. Then, cement and y ash
were added with the water. After mixing for 3 min, the SP was introduced and al-
lowed to mix for an additional 3 min. Finally, remaining admixtures (according to
Table 8) were added and mixed for the additional 5 min. The elapsed time of the
total mixing sequence was 12 min, or 11 min following the rst cement and water
contact.
3.2.1. Tests on fresh SCC properties
The tests were conducted to determine the consistency, workability and air-
content in SCC. The tests of fresh self-compacting mix were carried out after
20 min, because the SP liquefaction efciency increases after 20 min [22]. Before
the test self-compacting mix was mixed for 3 min.
3.2.1.1. Slump ow. The slump ow test [2] was used to evaluate the free deforma-
bility and owability of SCC in the absence of obstructions. A standard slump cone
was used for the test and the concrete was poured in the cone without consolida-
tion. Slump ow value represented the mean diameter (measured in two perpen-
dicular directions) of concrete after lifting the standard slump cone.
The research results of concrete mix properties are presented in Table 9. The
main aim of this step of research is to compress the inuence of admixtures with
the air-content in SCC (with similar SF and VS class). Because the dosages of admix-
tures were conformed to the constant slump ow class (SF), the diameters ow of
concrete mix are similar (Table 9). The research results in publication [23] show
that SCC with slump ow value >700 mm might segregate. The presented research
results proved that SCC incorporating new generation SP is stabile with ow diam-
eter value = 740 mm.
3.2.1.2. Air content in mix. The air content was measured by the pressure method
according to EN 12350-7:2001. The air content varied from 2.1% to 8.0% (Table 9).
C1A, C2 and C2V mixtures are non-air-entrained concretes, C1, C2A and C2AV mix-
tures are air-entrained concretes.
3.2.2. Discussion of Phase 1 test results
The study on fresh concrete suggests that all investigated admixtures can be
used in the development of a SCC with satisfactory rheological properties (better
cohesiveness and higher owability). Nevertheless, the type of the new generation
SP inuences essentially the air-content in the fresh concrete mix. However, overall
performance of Types 1 SP was better in enhancing rheological and consistency
properties of self-compacting concrete mix. The VMA decreases intentionally the
air-entrainment (as a result of SP2 and AEA acting) of the self-compacting concrete
mix.
All investigated admixtures were chosen to develop SCC and the development
of SCC is described in Phase 2 of the investigation.
3.3. Phase 2: tests on hardened SCC properties
The temperature and relative humidity were respectively 20 C and 100% (in
water). After 28 days, the tests were conducted to determine the freezethaw resis-
tance, durability coefcient DF and air-voids parameters of SCC.
3.3.1. Freezethaw resistance
The freeze-proof resistance was investigated according to PN-88/B-06250. After
28 days, concrete samples (150 150 150 mm) were freezing for 3 h in temp.
20 C and thawing in water for 3 h in temp. +20 C. Four cycles per day were per-
formed. After 300 freezethaw cycles the compressive strength and mass decrease
of the concrete specimens were tested. According to this norm, concrete is frost-
resistant when its compressive strength decrease is lower than 20% after n cycles
and weight loss is lower than 5%. The research results of the frost-resistance are
presented in Table 10. The research result indicates that the type of SP is very
important for frost-resistance of SCC. The air-entrained (as a result of SP1 action)
SCC is frost-resistant (decrease of compressive strength after freezethaw cycles
is lower than 20%).
Because of the weight and length loss, the change measurements are the last
reliable indicators of freezethaw damage, and the dynamic modulus test is nor-
mally specied. The test is predicated on the fact that the outcome of these mea-
surements will reect the damage (cracking) to the cement or aggregate caused
by the expansion of water in the concrete to ice during freezing.
3.3.2. DF durability coefcient
The results of the dynamic elastic modulus test are presented in terms of the
durability factor DF [24] (ASTM C666), which is dened by [25]:
DF RDMUPTT;n N=M
Table 5
The chemical and physical analysis of sand 0/2 mm.
Parameters Result
SiO
2
>99.3%
Fe
2
O
3
300 ppm Max
Al
2
O
3
2500 ppm Max
CaO 250 ppm Max
MgO 50 ppm Max
Clay 0.3% Max
CaCo
3
0.5% Max
Moisture <0.1% Max
Loss on ignition <0.3% Max
pH Neutral
Density 2.65 gm/cc
Table 6
The properties of sand and gravel.
Property Sand 0/2 mm Gravel 2/8 mm
The content of mineral dust 0.67%, category f
3
0.48%, category f
3
The content of organic substances Absence Absence
Bulk density q
nz
1.74 kg/dm
3
1.69 kg/dm
3
Flatness index 6.2%, category FI
10
Absorptivity 0.62%
B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319 313
where RDM
UPTT,n
is the relative dynamic modulus (the measured value divided by the
value determined before any freezethaw cycling); Nis the number n of freezethaw
cycles for RDM
UPTT,n
; M is the total number of freezethaw cycles.
If RDM
UPTT,n
(measured according to (CEN/TR 15177, 2006) on 100 100
400 mm concrete specimens) falls to a value lower than 60% of its pre-freezethaw
value, then the test is terminated and DF is calculated. If the number of the freeze
thaw cycles reaches 300 before RDM
UPTT,n
falls to less than 60% of its pre-freeze
thaw value, then the test is stopped and DF is calculated. If there is no change in
the dynamic elastic modulus, then DF = 100%. If P falls to less than 60% of its pre-
freezethaw value, then DF = 60%. Any concrete test specimen with a DF = 60% is of-
ten considered nondurable or frost-damage susceptible. However, other higher lev-
els of DF may be more desirable as critical values. The concrete test specimen with a
DF P80% is often considered durable [24]. The research results of DF coefcient
durability testing are presented in Table 11. The SCC with SP2 is frost-resistant until
250 cycles (DF P80%). After 300 cycles the SCC with SP2 is not frost resistant
(DF < 60%).
3.3.3. The air-voids parameters
The entrained air void distribution in hardened concrete was determined using
a computer-driven system of automatic image analysis. Tests were performed using
polished concrete specimens 100 100 20 mm cut from cube specimens. The
testing procedure and estimation method of air-voids parameters were described
in publication [26]. The automatic measurement procedure was designed to comply
with the requirements imposed by EN 480-11. Results of measurements were avail-
able as a set of standard parameters for air void microstructure characterization:
Spacing factor (mm).
Specic surface a (1/mm).
Air content A (%).
Content of air voids with diameter less than 0.3 mm A
300
(%).
Air void diameters distribution.
In Table 12 and in Figs. 314 the air voids parameters research results are pre-
sented. The research results proved that SP type is very important to values of air-
voids parameters of SCC. VMA does not inuence the parameters of the air-en-
trained SCC.
0.0
0.4
6.9
26.1
41.2
53.8
76.5
98.2
100.0
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 0.125 0.25 0.5 1 2 4 8 16
[
%
]
[mm]
Fig. 2. The grain size distribution of aggregate. Sand content in the aggregate is 44.4%.
Table 9
Test results of SCC mix.
Symbol Slum ow (mm) T
500
(s) A
c
(%)
C1 730 3 8.0
C1A 705 2 2.7
C2 715 2 2.1
C2V 710 4 2.5
C2A 640 2 5.0
C2AV 690 4 5.0
Table 7
The properties of admixtures.
Property SP1 SP2 AEA VMA AFA
Main base Polycarboxyl ether Polycarboxyl ether Synthetic tensid Synthetic copolymer Polyalcohol
Specic gravity at 20 C (g/cm
3
) 1.07 0.02 1.05 0.02 1.01 0.02 1.01.02 0.95 0.02
pH-value at 20 C 6.5 1.0 6.5 1.5 8.8 69 46
Chloride ion content (% mass) 60.1 1.3 60.1 <0.1
Alkali content (Na2Oeqiv.) (% mass) 1.5 1.3 61.0
Table 8
The components of SCC.
Symbol of SCC CEM II B-S 32,5R
(kg/m
3
)
w/c w/b Sand 0/2 mm
(kg/m
3
)
Gravel 0/8 mm
(kg/m
3
)
Volume of paste
(%)
SP1 SP2 VMA AEA AFA
The dosage of admixtures by weight of total binder (%)
C1 442.40 0.45 0.31 693.20 866.49 41.00 0.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
C1A 442.40 0.45 0.31 693.20 866.49 41.00 0.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.80
C2 442.40 0.45 0.31 693.20 866.49 41.00 0.00 1.33 0.00 0.00 0.00
C2V 442.40 0.45 0.31 693.20 866.49 41.00 0.00 1.53 0.25 0.00 0.00
C2A 442.40 0.45 0.31 693.20 866.49 41.00 0.00 1.16 0.00 0.04 0.00
C2AV 442.40 0.45 0.31 693.20 866.49 41.00 0.00 1.51 0.27 0.08 0.00
Table 10
The decrease of the mass and compressive strength of SCC after 300 freezingthawing
cycles of SCC.
Symbol Decrease of mass after 300
freezethawing cycles (%)
Decrease of f
cm
after 300
freezethawing cycles (%)
C1 0.5 3.0 (increase)
C1A 1 0.4 (increase)
C2 4 49.3
C2V 3 32.6
C2A 0.1 3.3 (increase)
C2AV 0.3 3.1
314 B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319
4. Discussion of research results
4.1. The effect of the admixtures on the fresh SCC properties
The analysis of data presented in Table 9 results in the following
discussions. The SP type signicantly inuences the air-content in
self-compacting mix with similar slump ow value (a measure of
owability). The air-content amounts to 8% in spite of the fact that
the ow diameter amounts to 730 mm. Deliberate air entraining
contributes to the decrease of diameter ow of self-compacting
concrete mix (Table 9) more than the air-content as a result of
SP side effect. It should be emphasized that in the same publica-
tions are decreased contradictory conclusions concerning the
increase of the air-entrainment on modication of the ow
diameter of concrete mix. The character of the inuence of the
air-entrainment depends on the amount of introduced AEA into
self-compacting concrete mix. Initially, a small dosage of AEA
may results in increase of the ow diameter of SCC as a result of
AEA acting. However, the successive addition of AEA into self-
compacting concrete mix causes the decrease of the ow diameter
due to the interaction between the air bubbles and concrete mix
particles [22].
The research results of publication [18] and research results in
Tables 9 and 12 indicate that VMA decreases the air-entrainment
(as a result of AEA action). The air-content in C2A and C2AV is
the same because the dosage of AEA was twice bigger in case of
C2AV.
The application of AFA causes a considerable decrease of the air-
content in SCC. The use of higher dosage of SP causes mix segrega-
tion. The introduction of AFA does not result in segregation of con-
crete mix. In this case, the dosage was decreased to achieve the SF2
class ow of SCC. Normally, the ow diameter of SCC incorporating
AFA is higher than the ow diameter not incorporating AFA and the
same amount of SP. The T
500
time ow of concrete mix that con-
tains AFA is similar to the time ow of concrete mix without
AFA. Moreover, mix with AFA adheres less to Abrams cone while
conducting the slump-ow test [2].
Table 11
The research results of DF coefcient measurements after freezingthawing cycles (%).
Symbol 0 cycles 25 cycles 75 cycles 100 cycles 150 cycles 250 cycles 300 cycles
C1 99 104 104 107 104 107 107
C1A 102 101 98 99 101 100 101
C2 99 102 102 103 100 81 65
C2V 100 101 100 99 101 99 101
C2A 100 102 103 101 103 106 105
C2AV 100 103 104 103 105 103 103
Table 12
The air-voids characteristics of SCC.
Symbol A (%)
L (mm)
a (mm
1
) A
300
(%)
C1 4.47 0.29 20.83 1.55
C1A 2.10 0.58 15.04 0.25
C2 1.86 0.84 10.88 0.22
C2V 3.14 0.99 7.16 0.16
C2A 3.80 0.33 20.21 1.39
C2AV 3.72 0.32 20.71 1.54
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
5
0
6
0
8
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
4
0
1
6
0
1
8
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
2
4
0
2
6
0
2
8
0
3
0
0
3
5
0
4
0
0
4
5
0
5
0
0
1
,
0
0
0
1
,
5
0
0
2
,
0
0
0
2
,
5
0
0
3
,
0
0
0
4
,
0
0
0
C
u
m
u
l
a
t
e
d

a
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
A
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
[m]
Fig. 3. The air void diameters distribution in C1.
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
5
0
6
0
8
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
4
0
1
6
0
1
8
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
2
4
0
2
6
0
2
8
0
3
0
0
3
5
0
4
0
0
4
5
0
5
0
0
1
,
0
0
0
1
,
5
0
0
2
,
0
0
0
2
,
5
0
0
3
,
0
0
0
4
,
0
0
0
C
u
m
u
l
a
t
e
d

a
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
A
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
[m]
Fig. 4. The air void diameters distribution in C1A.
B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319 315
VMA results in increase of the time ow of SCC (compare C2,
C2V and C2A, C2AV, Table 9). Fortunately, the previously decreased
air-content as a result of AFA acting is not signicantly increased.
The self-compacting mix incorporating AFA is more resistant to
segregation.
4.2. The effect of the admixtures on the hardened SCC properties
The comparison of data in Tables 9 and 12 suggest that it is pos-
sible to predict the air-content in SCC on the basis of the air-con-
tent in self-compacting concrete mix. However, there are
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0
.
0
1
0
.
0
2
0
.
0
3
0
.
0
4
0
.
0
5
0
.
0
6
0
.
0
8
0
.
1
0
0
.
1
2
0
.
1
4
0
.
1
6
0
.
1
8
0
.
2
0
0
.
2
2
0
.
2
4
0
.
2
6
0
.
2
8
0
.
3
0
0
.
3
5
0
.
4
0
0
.
4
5
0
.
5
0
1
.
0
0
1
.
5
0
2
.
0
0
2
.
5
0
3
.
0
0
4
.
0
0C
u
m
u
l
a
t
e
d

a
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
A
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
[mm]
Fig. 5. The air void diameters distribution in C2.
-0.50
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
5
0
6
0
8
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
4
0
1
6
0
1
8
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
2
4
0
2
6
0
2
8
0
3
0
0
3
5
0
4
0
0
4
5
0
5
0
0
1
,
0
0
0
1
,
5
0
0
2
,
0
0
0
2
,
5
0
0
3
,
0
0
0
4
,
0
0
0C
u
m
u
l
a
t
e
d

a
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
A
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
[m]
Fig. 6. The air void diameters distribution in C2V.
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
5
0
6
0
8
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
4
0
1
6
0
1
8
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
2
4
0
2
6
0
2
8
0
3
0
0
3
5
0
4
0
0
4
5
0
5
0
0
1
,
0
0
0
1
,
5
0
0
2
,
0
0
0
2
,
5
0
0
3
,
0
0
0
4
,
0
0
0C
u
m
u
l
a
t
e
d

a
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]

A
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
[m]
Fig. 7. The air void diameters distribution in C2A.
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
5
0
6
0
8
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
4
0
1
6
0
1
8
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
2
4
0
2
6
0
2
8
0
3
0
0
3
5
0
4
0
0
4
5
0
5
0
0
1
,
0
0
0
1
,
5
0
0
2
,
0
0
0
2
,
5
0
0
3
,
0
0
0
4
,
0
0
0C
u
m
u
l
a
t
e
d

a
i
r
-
c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
A
i
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

[
%
]
[m]
Fig. 8. The air void diameters distribution in C2AV.
316 B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319
signicant differences between the air-content in concrete mix,
such as air-entraining side effect of SP and the air-content in hard-
ened SCC. It indicates that the air-content as a side effect of SP is
very instable.
Fig. 9. The view of the air voids in C1.
Fig. 10. The view of the air voids in C1A.
Fig. 11. The view of the air voids in C2.
Fig. 12. The view of the air voids in C2V.
Fig. 13. The view of the air voids in C2A.
B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319 317
The type of superplasticizer is crucial regarding the size and
proportions of the air pores participation, gained as a result of its
functioning, although the time of concrete hardening is of no
importance on further changes of these proportions [27]. With
the use of polycarboxylate superplasticizers, the air pores charac-
terize with smaller diameters than pores formed as a result of
lingosulfonic or naphthalene superplasticizers functioning. The
inclusion of SP (sodium salt of a sulphonated napthalene-formal-
dehyde condensate) in cement paste, leads to a reduction in the to-
tal pore volume and to a renement of the pore structures [28]. The
dominant pore size is unaffected and the threshold diameter is re-
duced in the presence of SP. Research results cited in publication
[22], indicate that the air-content in hardened SCC, as a side effect
of SP acting, may amount to even 8.0%.
The publication [29] indicates that the superplasticizer causes
reduction in total air-void surface areas and increases in air-void
spacing factors. The test results (Table 12) suggest the signicantly
inuence of SP on the values of porosity parameters too. The SP
type signicantly inuences the values of the air-voids parameters.
The air-void factor in case of SP2 is almost three times bigger than
SCC with SP1. The specic surface of the air-voids in case of SCC
with air-entraining SP is almost twice bigger than in case of
SCC with SP without air-entraining side effect. The volume of the
air-voids with diameter smaller than 300 lm is seven times bigger
in case of SCC with the air-entraining SP.
The VMA inuences the air-content in SCC. The total air-content
in SCC is higher in case of SCC with VMA. Other parameters of the
air-voids of SCC with and without VMA are slightly different.
The research results in Table 12 indicate that adding AFA into
SCC results in signicantly decreases the air-content in SCC. The
air-voids parameters research results suggest the adverse effect
of AFA on frost-resistance of SCC.
The application of VMA into SCC with SP and AFA does not re-
sult in changes in values of the air-voids parameters apart from
the volume of the smallest air-voids (Table 12). Only the content
of the air voids with diameters smaller than 300 lm is increased.
This rise is benecial to the frost resistance of SCC.
Polycarboxylate superplasticizers usually have an air-entrain-
ing effect, but some types of PC drastically reduce the freezing
thawing resistance [30]. The research results in Tables 10 and 11
showed that the air-content, as a side effect of SP based on poly-
carboxyl ether, secures the frost-resistance of SCC. However, the
research results analyzed in publications [5,7] indicate that the
air-entrained SCC, as a result of side effect of SP acting, was
not frost-resistant. There must be an explanation for such a differ-
ent inuence of SP on frost-resistance of SCC. Probably, various
types of SP cause different resistance of SCC to freezethaw cycles.
The DF coefcient research results in Table 11 suggests that the
VMA inuences frost resistance of SCC. The research results, indi-
cated in publication [31], suggest that the same admixtures inu-
ence benecially the relationship between the frost-resistance of
concrete and air voids spacing factor. It should be remembered,
however, that research results in Table 10 suggests that VMA does
not inuence compressive strength decrease after freezethawing
cycles. This question needs a further research.
The non air-entrained SCC with VMA retains the DF = 100% after
300 freezethawing cycles. The research results also indicate the
benecial inuence of VMA to frost-resistance of concrete and va-
lue of the air-voids spacing factor. However, the data in Table 12
indicates the negative inuence of VMA on values of the air-voids
parameters regardless of concrete frost-resistance. On the other
side, the decrease of the compressive strength after 300 freeze
thawing cycles of SCC with VMA is smaller than SCC without
VMA. Nevertheless, SCC is frost-resistant, which is also indicated
by the DF research results. The unexpectedly positive inuence of
AFA on frost-resistant needs further research.
According to European standards (EN 206-1, Austrian Standard
NORM B 4710-1, Danish Standard DS. 2426, German Federal Min-
istry of Transport ZTV Beton-StB 01) recommended values of air-
voids parameters are following: A = 3.55.5%, L = 0.180.20 mm,
A
300
= 1.01.8%. The research results in Tables 1012 indicate that
SCC is frost-resistant even though the values of the parameters of
air voids are different from recommendations of these standards.
5. Conclusions
In the range of investigation of the SCC, used admixtures and re-
ceived research results it was indicated that:
(1) The examined admixtures signicantly affect the properties
of fresh and hardened self-compacting concrete.
(2) The type of SP inuences signicantly the values of air-voids
parameters and frost-resistance of SCC. The air-entrain-
ment, as a result of side effect of SP1 acting, secures the
frost-resistance of SCC, which is also indicated by DF
research results. The SCC made of not air-entraining SP2
is not frost-resistant, also according to DF research results.
Nevertheless, the air-entrainment of SCC, because of AEA
acting, results in the best values of air-voids parameters
regardless of frost-resistance of SCC.
(3) The application of VMA results in increase of air content in
non-air entrained SCC, particularly the volume of air voids
with diameter smaller than 300 lm. The VMA cause the
improvement of non-air entrained SCC frost-resistance after
DF research results. However, compressive strength
decrease after 300 freezethawing cycles does not conrm
the conclusion.
(4) Adding of VMA causes the decrease of the air volume as a
result of AEA acting. Nevertheless, the air-entrained SCC
with VMA is still frost-resistant.
(5) AFA effectively decreases the air-content in SCC. Unfortu-
nately, the use of AFA results in adverse effect on values of
air-voids parameters of SCC, regardless of frost-resistance
of SCC. Nevertheless, SCC is frost-resistant, which is also
indicated by DF research results. The unexpectedly positive
inuence of AFA on frost-resistant needs further research.
Fig. 14. The view of the air voids in C2AV.
318 B. az niewska-Piekarczyk / Construction and Building Materials 31 (2012) 310319
(6) The research results also indicate that SCC is frost-resistant
even though the values of air-voids parameters are different
from recommendations of European standards.
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