ACI441R-96

HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE COLUMNS: STATE OF THE ART

Summary
Factors affecting the response of high strength concrete (HSC) column subjected
to loading:
i)

Stress-strain characteristics of HSC

Rectangular stress block described in B.S. 8110 required
modification to be applied in the design of HSC structural element.

ii)

Cover concrete
Drying shrinkage strain in cover concrete and the presence of bar
restraining shrinkage results in the formation of a cracking pattern
that is responsible for early loss of cover concrete. Besides that, the
closely spaced reinforcement cage between the core and the cover
concrete formed a natural plane of separation between core and
cover concrete.
Spalling of concrete cover becomes more prevalent as the concrete
strength increases thus preventing HSC column from reaching their
axial load capacity prior to spalling of cover concrete. The loss of
cover concrete in HSC columns before reaching axial capacity is
contrary to the observed behavior of normal-strength concrete
(NSC) columns.

iii)

Parameters related to confining steel

High volumetric ratio of transverse reinforcement is required in HSC
columns to achieve their ultimate strength.
The yield strength of transverse steel determines the confining
pressure. A higher confining pressure applied to the core concrete,
results in higher strength and ductility. Well confined HSC columns
shows a noticeable gain in strength and ductility when compared to
poorly confined HSC columns.
Well distributed longitudinal and transverse reinforcement results in
larger confined concrete area and more uniform distribution of
confining pressure, thereby improving the effectiveness of the
confining reinforcement to present a significant influence on
strength and ductility of HSC columns.

ACI 363R-92
STATE-OF-THE-ART REPORT ON HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE

High-Strength Concrete
A

High-strength concretes is referred to concretes with specified compressive strength of 60 MPa or greater in this
Specification. The relevant clauses specified earlier under a structural concrete shall equally apply to high-strength
concrete except with some special considerations.

High-strength concrete are tested at later ages of 56 days and 90 days.

The maximum quantity of cement shall not be more than 550 kg/m3 for high-strength concrete mix.

The maximum limit on the temperature of the cement as batched in warm weather and in hot weather shall be around
75 C and 65 C, respectively.

The use of cold mixing water and ice which could effectively reduce the concrete placing temperatures, should be
supervised by Concrete Suppliers qualified personnel and done at the batch plant.

Delivery time should be reduced to a minimum and special attention to paid to scheduling to avoid delay in concrete
placement.

Special placing considerations are required where different strength concretes are being used within or between
different structural members. For instance, in areas where two different concrete strength are being used in column and
floor construction, the high-strength concrete in and around the column has to be placed before the floor concrete.

The Supplier has full control of high-strength concrete until it is placed in the forms; control of slump, time on job,
mixing, and mixture adjustments is under the jurisdiction of the Supplier. The Contractor then has full responsibility on
handling, placing, and consolidating the concrete promptly as received.

Extracted from BC2:2008 Design Guide of High Strength Concrete to

Singapore Standard CP 65
High Strength Concrete
The methods and technology for producing high strength concrete (HSC) are
basically similar to those required as normal strength concrete except that the
emphasis on quality control is greater with HSC. The measures recommended
should be applied for concrete with compressive strength greater than 60 MPa.

Preconstruction Meeting
Project participant should held a preconstruction meeting before construction to
clarify contact requirements, discuss planned placing conditions and procedures
and review the planned inspection and testing programs of the various parties.
Participation of the ready-mixed concrete supplier is essential in the discussion
since the supplier is familiar with and responsible for the product. Concrete
suppliers quality personnel who will have the authority to add admixtures or
water at the site should be identified.

Trial Batches
For high strength concrete, the test cubes shall be tested at an age of 56 days
and 90 days.
Production-sized batches are recommended for high-strength concrete in order to
establish optimum batching and mixing sequences that can reduce problems
prior to the start of the project.

Prequalification of Concrete Suppliers and Preconstruction Testing

When a strength higher than previously supplied is specified, or where there is a
limited experience in the supply of that strength concrete, a more detailed
prequalification procedure should be carried out. This should generally include
the production of a trial batch of the proposed mix proportions. Only qualified
suppliers can be selected based on their successful preconstruction trials.
Temperature considerations- Maximum temperatures and thermal gradients and
their effect on constructability and long-term design properties should be
determined during preconstruction trials.
Computer simulation of the likely thermal history can be used to establish
appropriate curing and protection. Temperature-matched curing systems may be
used to evaluate the effects of temperature history on strength development.