Effect of mineral admixture type on stability and

rheological properties of self-compacting concrete

Djamila Boukhelkhal, Othmane Boukendakdji, Said Kenai, Sarah Bachene

To cite this version:

Djamila Boukhelkhal, Othmane Boukendakdji, Said Kenai, Sarah Bachene. Effect of mineral admix-
ture type on stability and rheological properties of self-compacting concrete. Rencontres Universitaires
de Génie Civil, May 2015, Bayonne, France. �hal-01167737�

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 Effet du type d’addition minérale sur le comportement
rhéologique d’un béton autoplaçant dans un climat chaud

Boukhelkhal Djamila1, Boukendakdji Othmane2, Kenai Saïd1, Bachene Sarah3

1
Laboratoire de Géomatériaux et Génie Civil, Université de Blida, Algérie (boukelkal_djamila@yahoo.fr)
2
Laboratoire LPT2R, Université de Médéa, Algérie
3
Laboratoire de Matériaux de Construction, Université de Médéa, Algérie

RÉSUMÉ. De par leur mise en œuvre aisée, les bétons fortement fluidifiés, tels les bétons autoplaçants (BAP), sont de plus en
plus employés ces dernières années. Afin de garantir une très bonne fluidité avec une homogénéité satisfaisante, ces bétons
consomment une grande part de ciment et de superplastifiant, ce qui influe fortement sur la prise et le durcissement de ces
dernies. Cependant, en raison des enjeux économiques et perfomantielles liés à la teneur élevée en liant et à l’utilisation
d’adjuvants chimiques, des additions minérales sont souvent employées pour la confection de ces bétons.
L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier l’effet de l’incorporation des différentes additions minérales disponibles en abondance
en Algérie. Telle que le laitier, la pouzzolane et les fillers calcaires sur les propriétés à l’état frais d’un béton autoplaçant.

ABSTRACT. Due to their easy implementation, concretes heavily thinned such self-compacting concrete (SCC) are increasingly
used in recent years. To ensure a good flow with satisfactory homogeneity, these concretes consume a large part cement and
superplasticizer, which strongly influences the setting and hardening of these one. However, because of economic and
perfomantielles issues related to the high binder content and the use of chemical additives, mineral additives are often used
for making these concretes.
The objective of this work was to study the effect of the incorporation of different mineral admixtures available in abundance
in Algeria, such as blast furnace slag, natural pozzolana and limestone fillers on the properties of fresh self-compacting
concrete (stability and rheology).

MOTS-CLÉS : BAP, Laitier, Pouzzolane, Fillers calcaires, Rhéologie, Climat.

KEY WORDS: SCC, Slag, Pozzolana, Limestone Powder, Rheology, Climate.
33èmes Rencontres de l’AUGC, ISABTP/UPPA, Anglet, 27 au 29 mai 2015 2

1. Introduction
Self-compacting concrete (SCC), a new kind of high performance concrete (HPC) with excellent
deformability and segregation resistance, was first developed in Japan in 1986. It is a special kind concrete that
can flow through and fill the gaps of reinforcement and corners of molds without any need for vibration and
compaction during the placing process [Ok, 03 ; Bo, 05].
This type of concrete demands a large amount of powder content compared to conventional vibrated concrete
to produce a homogeneous and cohesive mix [Ba, 09]. It was reported that SCC often contains powder in the
order of 450–600 kg/m3 of concrete [Na, 09]. Due to its rheological requirements, fillers (both reactive and
inert) are commonly used in SCC to improve and maintain the workability, as well as to regulate the cement
content and to reduce the heat of hydration. Part of this powder content can be effectively replaced by mineral
admixtures like FA, GBFS, LP, etc. [Fe, 03; Sa, 06; Bo, 12; Fe, 07; U. Y., 11; U. M., 11; Ve, 11; Si, 13; Ge,
07; Be, 12; Wa, 13; Gu, 10; Ra, 13; Me, 13]. Without dependence on the fact that SCC consists basically of the
same components as normal vibrated concrete, there exist distinct differences regarding the concrete composition
in order to achieve the desired ‘‘self-compacting properties’’. On the one hand, SCC has to reach a high
segregation resistance and on the other hand a high deformability. Therefore, the content of ultra-fine materials in
SCC is essentially higher [Fe, 07].
The objective of the research reported in this paper was to evaluate and explore the possibility of using
Algerian mineral admixtures (slag, natural pozzolana and limestone powder) in the production of SCC. The
effects of the nature of these materials on both the fresh and the hardened properties of SCC were investigated
and presented.

2. Experimental work
2.1. Material and concrete mixes used
Ordinary Portland Cement (CEM I 42.5) typically produced in Algeria by Ain El Kebira cement factory with
fineness of 3370 cm2/g and a specific gravity of 3.15 g/cm3 was used this work. Three types of minerals
admixtures were used: natural pozzolana (PZ) from a volcanic deposit in the western north region of Algeria
(Beni-Saf) ; limestone powder (LP) from the crushing quarry of Oggaz (Sig, western north of Algeria). The
granulated slag (GGBS) used is recovered from the blast furnaces of the steel complex of El Hadjar. These
mineral admixtures were ground in order to obtain a fine powder similar to that of common cements (SSB = 3500
cm2/g), their specific gravity are 2590, 2544 and 2857 kg/m3 respectively. Table 1 describes the chemical
compositions of the Portland cement and mineral admixtures used in this study.
Two sands and two gravels were used for making self-compacting concretes: a 0/1 siliceous sand (S1) from
the region of Hassi Bahbah and 0/4 crushed limestone sand (S2) from the quarry of Mont Guorno. A 3/8 gravel
(G1) and a 8/15 gravel (G2) from the crushing quarry of Mont Guorno. The bulk density of the coarse aggregates
(G1, G2) and sand (S1, S2) were 2.66, 2.67, 2.59 and 2.63 respectively; and their absorptions were 0.19%,
0.52%, 0.04 and 0.38%, respectively. The grading sizes of coarse and fine aggregates are given in figure 1.
In this study a polyether–polycarboxylate based superplasticiser was used, this superplasticizer which
manufactured by Granitexe Company and marketed under the name "MEDAFLOW 145", has a solid content of
30% and specific density of 1.065 g/cm3.

Table 1. Chemical analysis of cement and mineral admixtures used.

Chemical
SiO2 CaO Al2O3 Fe2O3 MgO SO3 PF RI
Constituent (%)
Ciment 20.14 63.47 3.71 4.74 2.12 2.67 1.72 0.27
PZ 46.40 9.85 17.50 10.50 3.45 0.40 4.31 -
LP 0.85 53.08 0.93 0.56 0.23 0.60 42.55 0.52
GGBS 40.10 42.20 6.00 2.00 4.70 0.15 - -
Titre court de la communication (1 ligne). 3

Figure 1. Grading curves of fine and coarse aggregates used

The mixture proportions were based on Okamura et al. method [Ok, 93], with improvements made on the
methods of selecting the fine aggregates content. The sand-mortar weight ratio (S/M), the water-powder weight
ratio (W/P) and the superplasticizer-powder weight ratio (Sp/ P) were selected by a simple evaluation test for
assessing the stress transferability of fresh mortar [Ed, 03]. For evaluation of the coarse aggregate contents,
Okamura’s method is maintained. The cement was substituted by the mineral admixture by weight to obtain a
self-compact paste for each SSC mixture as recommended by the French Association of Civil Engineering
(AFGC) [As, 02]. In our study, for each mineral admixture, we set the rate of substitution for 15% of cement
weight. Table 2 gives the mix proportions of the concretes developed in this study.
Superplasticiser were diluted in water before added to the concrete for a better distribution of admixtures
within the mass of SCC and practice in general confirms this [Do, 99]. SCC normally requires a more efficient
mixing, longer mixing time, to make sure that all constituents have been mixed thoroughly [Ch, 04]. Hence, the
following mixing procedure consisted in mixing the aggregates with cement and mineral admixture together for
half a minute before adding 60% of necessary water during 1 min then adding the remaining 40% of water
containing the superplasticizer during another 1 min. The mixing procedure is continued for another 5 min, after
that the whole mix is kept for settling for 2 min before remixing for just half a minute, immediately then we
started workability tests.

Table 2. Mix proportions for concrete mixes

Variable SCC-R SCC-BS SCC-PZ SCC-LP

S/M 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
W/P 0.42 0.42 0..42 0.42
Sp/P 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6
Ciment 467 400 403 404
GGBS - 64 - -
PZ - - 58 -
LP - - - 57
Sand S1 (0/1) 360 360 360 360
Sand S2 (0/4) 541 541 541 541
Gravel G1 (3/8) 401 401 401 401
Gravel G2 (8/15) 401 401 401 401
Water 196 195 194 194
Superplasticiser 7.47 7.43 7.39 7.37
33èmes Rencontres de l’AUGC, ISABTP/UPPA, Anglet, 27 au 29 mai 2015 4

2.2. Test Procedure

The quality of fresh concrete was verified according to tests recommended by the AFGC [As, 02]. Before
casting, slump-flow, V-funnel and segregation resistance tests were attempted for determining the properties of
SCC such as filling ability and passing ability.
Workability tests are measured immediately after mixing which takes about 10 min. In addition to these tests,
the slump flow was measured at four different times after mixing to assess the workability retention. The 4 times
are: 0, 30, 60 and 90 min after mixing.
For each mixture, cube specimens (10×10×10) cm3 were used to determine the compressive strength. All
specimens were demolded after 24 h and cured at 20°C and 95% relative humidity. For all hardened testing
results, the average value of experimental results from three identical specimens was adopted.

3. Experimental results
3.1. Concrete properties in fresh state
The properties of fresh SCC are presented in Figures 2–4. For all SCCs the slump flow was between 650 and
800 mm, which is an indication of good deformability (Fig. 2). The effect of the mineral admixture on the flow is
remarkable in terms of its nature. Where, the slump flow of SCC-R is greater than that of SCC containing natural
pozzolana (SCC-PZ) and less than that of SCC containing slag (BS) or limestone powder (LP).
All the SCCs performed well in terms of stability because all mixes exhibited a V-funnel flow time less than 8
s. The obtained t V-Funnel flow times are between 4 and 7 s (Fig. 3). These results indicate that all SCC mixtures
satisfy the requirements of the eligible flow time and are acceptable for the design of appropriate SCC mixtures.
The natural pozzolana makes the SCC more viscous compared to SCC made with limestone filler or granulated
slag.
Figure 2 shows the workability retention at 0, 30, 60 and 90 min after mixing. Concrete mixes with natural
pozzolana lost a part of their workability even at 60 min after mixing and hence after then we will not have self-
compacting concrete anymore, whereas for SCC-BS and SCC-LP workability is maintained till about 90 min
after mixing. From these two figures we can conclude that for mixes with slag and limestone powder, we have 90
min of time to put concrete in place. But for mixes with natural pozzolana we have less than 60 min of time to
put concrete in place.

Figure 2. Slump flow retention for SCCs. Figure 3. V-Funnel flow time of SCCs.

With the regard to the stability (passing mortar) and the slump flow of the various mixtures of SCC,
proportionality between this two properties is distinguished (Fig. 4). All the studied SCCs are stable (laitance <
15%). The SCC-PZ is characterized by high stability (laitance < 2.5%) and consequently a high resistance to
Titre court de la communication (1 ligne). 5

segregation and to bleeding in accordance with the previous finding reported by others researchers [20]. SCC-BS
and SCC-LP are homogeneous and less stable than the other SCCs.

Figure 4. Segregation resistance of SCCs. Figure 5. Compressive strength of SCCs.

3.2. Concrete properties in hardened state

The compressive strength tests carried out on the different types of SCCs at ages of 3, 7, 28 and 90 days gave
the results showed in figure 5. From this figure and at young age, we see a decrease in compressive strength for
all SCCs with mineral admixtures compared to control concrete (SCC-R). The strength of SCC with 15% of
limestone powder (SCC-LP) reached that of SCC-R to 28 days and remains similar to this one at 90j. For the
case of SCC-BS and SCC-PZ, a clear efficiency on strength is observed from 28 days, which explained the slow
pozzolanic reaction of these two mineral admixtures. Nevertheless, in the context of strength, all the SCCs could
be considered to be satisfactory for structural applications.

4. Conclusion
On the basis of the results obtained in this study, the following conclusions have been drawn:

- It is possible to manufacture self-compacting concrete using Algerian mineral admixtures with

acceptable fresh and hardened properties.
- The use of limestone powder and Slag allows increasing the fluidity of the SCC mixture but it affects
negatively its stability. An improvement of workability was observed with workability gain up to 90
min. Which make them very beneficial for concreting in hot weather.
- The incorporation of natural pozzolana reduces the fluidity of SCC mixture and gives. The use of these
additions leads to the increase of the plastic viscosity of the mixture and consequently their stability will
be improved and gives more rapid loss of workability which makes it effective in a cold climate.
- In the context of compressive strength, all the SCCs could be considered to be satisfactory for structural
applications. The strength of SCC with slag and natural pozzolana exceeds that of controlled SCC after
28 days.

5. References

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