INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Volume 3, No 2, 2012
Copyright 2010 All rights reserved Integrated Publishing services
Research article ISSN 0976 4399

Effect of superplasticizer dosages on compressive strength of self

compacting concrete
Rahul Dubey1, Pardeep Kumar2
1- Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering,NIT Hamirpur (HP), India.
2- Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Hamirpur (HP) India
rahul0051@indiatimes.com
doi:10.6088/ijcser.201203013034

ABSTRACT

Self-compacting concrete has to fulfil contradictory requirements of high flowing ability

when it is being cast and high viscosity when it is at rest, in order to prevent segregation and
bleeding. These requirements make the use of mineral and chemical admixtures essential for
self-compacting concrete. High flowing ability is achieved using superplasticizers, while
stability against segregation is achieved either by using a large quantity of fine materials, or
by using appropriate viscosity modifying agents. This paper presents the results of an
experimental research carried out to investigate the effect of dosages of superplasticizer on
compressive strength of self- compacting concrete.

Keywords: Self-compacting concrete, superplasticizer, compressive strength.

1. Introduction

Self-compacting concrete (SCC), requires no consolidation work at site or concrete plants.

The SCC was first developed in Japan to improve the reliability and uniformity of concrete in
1988 (Okamura, 1999). However, to design a proper SCC mixture is not a simple task.
Various investigations have been carried out in order to obtain rational SCC mix-design
methods. The establishment of methods for the quantitative evaluation of the degree of self-
compactibility is the key issue in establishing the mix design system (Noor et al. 1999).
Okamura and Ozawa (Okamura, 1999) have proposed a simple mixture proportioning system.
In this method, the coarse and fine aggregate contents are kept constant so that self-
compactibility can be achieved easily by adjusting the water/cement ratio and superplasticizer
dosage only. Water/powder ratio is usually accepted between 0.9 and 1.0 in volume,
depending on the properties of the powder (Noor et al. 1999, Sedran et al.1999). In Sweden,
Petersson and Billberg (1999) & Emborg( 1999) developed an alternative method for mix
design including the criterion of blocking, void and paste volume as well as the test results
derived from paste rheology studies. Many other investigators have also dealt with the mix-
proportioning problems of SCC (Sedran et al.1999, Bui et.al.1999, Roshavelov, 1999). Some
design guidelines have been prepared from the acceptable test methods by European
federation dedicated to specialist construction chemicals and concrete systems (EFNARC,
2002).Self compacting concrete is also made from the same basic constituents as
conventional concrete, but mix proportions for SCC differ from those of ordinary concrete.
The Self compacting concrete contains more powder content, less coarse aggregates, high
range water reducing superplasticizer (SP) in larger amounts and frequently a viscosity
modifying agent (VMA) in small doses in comparison to ordinary concrete. This paper
reports the results of an experimental investigation to determine the effect of dosages of SP
on compressive strength of SCC.

Received on September 2012 Published on November 2012 360

 Effect of superplasticizer dosages on compressive strength of self compacting concrete
Rahul Dubey, Pardeep Kumar

2. Materials used and mix proportions

An Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 43 grade confirmed to Indian Standards (IS: 8112-
1989) reaffirmed 2005 was used in the experimental program. Class F fly ash procured from
Guru Gobind Singh Thermal Power Plant, Ropar, India confirmed to Indian Standards
(IS:3812-2003) along with silica fume confirmed to Indian Standards (IS: 15388-2003 ) was
used as a mineral powder. The fly ash was used due to its additional strength contributing
pozzolanic activity and silica fume was used as a property enhancing material. Because of the
very high surface area, concrete made with silica fume is more cohesive and therefore less
prone to segregation and bleeding. The chemical properties of fly ash and silica fume are
presented in Table 1. Locally available 10 mm downgraded crushed stone of specific gravity
2.65 and fineness modulus of 5.98 was used as coarse aggregate. Locally available river sand
of specific gravity 2.6 and fineness modulus of 2.4 was used as fine aggregate. Both coarse
aggregate and fine aggregate confirmed to Indian Standard Specifications IS: 383-1970.
Polycarboxylate ether based superplasticizer complying with ASTM C 494 type F, with
density 1.08 kg/l and pH 4.8 was used in the present investigation as SP. The mix
composition was selected as per recommendations of ACI: 237R07 and EFNARC,2002. The
quantities of different ingredients used in the preparation of mix are given in Table 2.

Table 1: Chemical properties of fly ash & silica fume

Property Fly ash Silica fume

(Sio2+Al203+Fe2o) % by mass 92.51 94

Sio2 % by mass 53.26 92
Mgo% by mass 0.78 0.28
Total Alkali (Na2o+K2o ) 0.77 1.12
% by mass
Sulphuric Anhydride % by mass 0.16 0.19
Al203% by mass 28.65 0.46
Fe2o3% by mass 5.61 1.6

Table 2: Mix proportions used in the trials

Cement Fly ash Silica Fume Coarse aggregate Fine aggregate w/p
(kg/m3 ) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3)

400 170 30 700 790 0.38

3. Preparation of SCC mixes

For the mix proportion shown in Table 2, required quantities of materials were weighed. Fine
and coarse aggregate combinations were mixed for 90 s in a mixer. Cement and filler
combinations were added into the aggregate mixes and remixed for 60 s all together in dry
state. The water and SP were mixed in a flask and poured slowly into the mixer while mixing.
The total mixing time was five minutes with the rotating speed of 45+1 cycle/min of the
mixer. The casting immediately followed mixing, after carrying out the tests for fresh
properties. The top surface of the specimens was scraped to remove excess material and
achieve smooth finish. The specimens were removed from moulds after 24 h and cured in
water till testing or as per requirement of the test. The cubes of size 150 mm were cast for

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 Effect of superplasticizer dosages on compressive strength of self compacting concrete
Rahul Dubey, Pardeep Kumar

determination of compressive strength in accordance with Indian Standards IS 516 (1959).

All test measurements were taken as the average of three readings.

4. Experimental studies

Six trial mixes were prepared by varying the dosage of SP from 2% to 12% of cementious
material with an increment of 2% for each test series. In order to investigate self compacting
characteristics in fresh state of mix proportion with varying dosages of SP slump flow test
(slump flow diameter and T50cm time), V-funnel flow test (time taken by concrete to flow
through V-funnel), and L-Box test (blocking ratio) were performed according to the
procedure proposed by EFNARC. Brief descriptions of these tests are given below.

4.1 Slump flow test

The basic equipment used is same as for the conventional Slump test (Figure 1). The test
method differs from the conventional one in the way that the concrete sample placed into the
mould has no reinforcement rod and when the slump cone is removed, the sample collapses.
The diameter of the spread of the sample is measured, i.e. a horizontal distance is measured
as against the vertical slump measured in the conventional test. While measuring the diameter
of the spread, the time that the sample takes to reach a diameter of 500 mm (T 50) is also
measured. The Slump Flow test gives an indication about the filling ability of SCC.

Figure 1: Geometric diagram of Slump flow test and test in progress

4.2 L-Box test

The L-box test method uses a test apparatus comprising a vertical section and a horizontal
trough into which the concrete is allowed to flow on the release of a trap door from the
vertical section passing through reinforcing bars placed at the intersection of the two areas of
the apparatus (Figure 2). The time it takes to flow a distance of 200mm (T-20) and 400 mm
(T-40) into the horizontal section is measured. When the flow has stopped, the height of the
concrete at the end of the horizontal section (H2) and that remaining in the vertical section
(H1) is measured and ratio H2/H1 is defined as blocking ratio. The L-box test gives an
indication as to the filling ability and passing ability.

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International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering
Volume 3 Issue 2 2012
 Effect of superplasticizer dosages on compressive strength of self compacting concrete
Rahul Dubey, Pardeep Kumar

Figure 2: Geometric diagram of L-Box and test in progress

4.3 V-funnel test

The equipment consists of a V-shaped funnel (Figure 3). The funnel is filled with the
concrete and the time taken by it to flow through the funnel is measured. This test gives
account of the filling capacity (flowing ability) of SCC.

Figure 3: Geometric diagram of V-funnel and test in progress

5. Results and discussion

Fresh concrete properties obtained from the tests such as slump test, T50 Time, L-Box, V-
Funnel test are given in Table 3. These values are tabulated for different %age dosages of SP.
The values have been compared with the recommended values. Table 4 shows the setting
time and compressive strength of the mixes with varying %age of SP dosages. Various fresh
concrete properties, setting time & compressive strength results of the SCC mixes can be
summarized as follows

1. At 2% dosage of SP in the mix proportion, setting time of concrete was 24hours and
compressive strength of 7Mpa at 3days, 14.2 Mpa at 7days, 22.6 Mpa at 28 days, 28.5
Mpa at 56 days, 30.1 Mpa at 90 days, 34 Mpa at 120 days was achieved.

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International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering
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 Effect of superplasticizer dosages on compressive strength of self compacting concrete
Rahul Dubey, Pardeep Kumar

2. At 4% dosage of SP in the mix proportion, setting time of concrete was 72 hours and
compressive strength of 5Mpa at 3days, 11.8 Mpa at 7days, 18.9 Mpa at 28 days, 20.7
Mpa at 56 days, 21.0 Mpa at 90 days, 23.3 Mpa at 120 days was achieved

3. At 6% dosage of SP in the mix proportion, setting time of concrete was 7 days and
compressive strength of 4.5 Mpa at 3days, 10.2 Mpa at 7days, 15.7 Mpa at 28 days,
18.4 Mpa at 56 days, 20.1 Mpa at 90 days, 21.8 Mpa at 120 days was achieved

4. At 8% dosage of SP in the mix proportion, setting time of concrete was 7days and
compressive strength of 3.7 Mpa at 3days, 8.1 Mpa at 7days, 12.4 Mpa at 28 days,
14.7 at 56 days, 17.4 Mpa at 90 days, 19 Mpa at 120 days was achieved Mpa.

5. At 10% dosage of SP in the mix proportion, setting time of concrete was 11days and
compressive strength of 3.2 Mpa at 3days, 7.7 Mpa at 7days, 10.3 Mpa at 28 days,
11.0 Mpa at 56 days, 14.2 Mpa at 90 days, 15.7 Mpa at 120 days was achieved.

6. On increasing the dosage of HRWRA beyond 10 % the trial mixes were not set even
after 11 days.

Table 3: Fresh properties of SCC

Sr.no. Fresh Recommended Observed value for % dosage of HRWRA

Concrete value as per
Test EFNARC
method

2 4 6 8 10

1 Slump 600-750 mm in 690 680mm in 700mm in 710mm in 740mm in

flow test 5s in 3s with 4.1s with 3.6s with 3s with
3.6s segregation segregation segregation segregation

2 L-box test 0.8-1.0 0.92 0.97 with Levelled Levelled Levelled

H2/H1 top layer of with top with top with top
water layer of layer of layer of
water water water

T-20 cm 1.0+0.5s 1.2s

------ -------- ------- --------
T-40 cm 2.5+0.5s 2.3s

3
V Funnel 8 to 12 s 7.1 13.6 18.2 23.0 blocked

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 Effect of superplasticizer dosages on compressive strength of self compacting concrete
Rahul Dubey, Pardeep Kumar

Table 4: Results for setting time and compressive strength

% dosage Setting
of time in Compressive Strength (MPa) at no. of days
HRWRA no. of
days
3 7 28 56 90 120
2 1 7 14.2 22.6 28.5 30.1 34.0
4 3 5 11.8 18.9 20.7 21.0 23.3
6 7 4.5 10.2 15.7 18.4 20.1 21.8
8 7 3.7 8.1 12.4 14.7 17.4 19.0
10 11 3.2 7.7 10.3 11.0 14.2 15.7
12 Not set ------ ------ ------- ------------ -------- ------------
even
after 11
days

6. Conclusions

Experimental, investigations lead to following conclusions:-

1. With the addition of SP beyond 2% compressive strength decreases with the increase
of dosages of SP. However with incorporation of SP up to 4%, there was significant
increase of compressive strength of SCC mix with increase of age.

2. When SP was added beyond 4% and upto 8%, although there was increase in
compressive strength at all ages but the increase was marginal.

3. Beyond 8% and upto 10% the increase in compressive strength with aging was further
reduced.

4. With the increase of dosage of SP setting time was also increased. When SP was
added more than 10% trial mix was not set even after 11 days.

5. This trend of compressive strength and setting time suggests that in the presence of
increased SP the hydration of cement did not take place appropriately.

7. References

1. Okamura, H., Ouchi, M., (1999), Self compacting concrete. Development, Present use
and future. Proceedings of the lst International RILEM symposium on self
compacting concrete, Sweden, pp 314.

2. Noor, M. A., Uomoto, T., (1999), Three-dimensional discrete element simulation of

Rheology tests of self-compacting concrete. Proceedings of the lst International
RILEM symposium on self compacting concrete, Sweden, pp 3546.

3. Sedran, T., De Larrard, F., (1999), Optimization of self-compacting concrete thanks to

packing model, Proceedings of the lst International RILEM symposium on self
compacting concrete, Sweden, pp 321332.

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International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering
Volume 3 Issue 2 2012
 Effect of superplasticizer dosages on compressive strength of self compacting concrete
Rahul Dubey, Pardeep Kumar

4. Petersson, O., Billberg, P., (1999), investigation on blocking of self- compacting

concrete with different maximum aggregate size and use of viscosity agent instead of
filler, Proceedings of the lst International RILEM symposium on self compacting
concrete, Sweden, pp 333-344.

5. Emborg, M., (1999), Rheology tests for self-compacting concretehow useful are
they for the design of concrete mix for full-scale production?, Proceedings of the lst
International RILEM symposium on self compacting concrete, Sweden, pp 95108.

6. Bui, V. K., Montgomery, D., (1999), Mixture proportioning method for self
compacting high performance concrete with minimum paste volume, Proceedings of
the lst International RILEM symposium on self compacting concrete, Sweden, pp
373384.

7. T. T. (1999). Concrete mixture proportioning with optimal dry packing, Proceedings

of the lst International RILEM symposium on self compacting concrete, Sweden, pp
385396.

8. EFNARC. (2002), Specification and guidelines for self-compacting concrete.

Retrieved from http;//www.efnarc.org/pdf/SandGforSCC.PDF

9. IS: 8112. (2005), Indian Standard 43 Grade Ordinary Portland cement

Specifications, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi (India).

10. IS: 3812-2003. Indian standard on pulverized fuel ash specification. Part 2.For use
as admixture in cement mortar and concrete. Bureau of Indian Standards. New Delhi
(India).

11. IS:15388. (2003), Indian Standard Silica Fumes - Specifications, Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi (India).

12. IS: 383. (1997), Indian standard specifications for coarse and fine aggregates from
natural sources for concrete, Bureau of indian standards, New Delhi (India).

13. IS: 516. (1959), Indian standard method of tests for strength of concrete, Bureau of
Indian Standards, New Delhi (India)

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