ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL
Title no. 98-M31
Effect of Mixture Composition on Washout Resistance of
Highly Flowable Underwater Concrete
by Kamal H. Khayat and Mohammed Sonebi
The underwater casting of relatively thin lifts of concrete in water
requires the proportioning of highly flowable concrete that can
resist water dilution and segregation and spread readily into place.
An investigation was carried out to determine the effects of anti-
washout admixture concentration, water-cementitious materials
ratio, and binder composition on the washout resistance of highly
flowable concrete.
Two main types of antiwashout admixtures were used: 1) a pow-
dered welan gum at concentrations of 0.07 and 0.15% (by mass of
binder); and 2) a liquid-based cellulosic admixture with dosages
up to 1.65 L /100 kg of binder. The water-cementitious materials
ratios were set at 0.41 and 0.47, corresponding to high-quality
underwater concrete. Four binder compositions were used: a stan-
dard Canadian Type 10 cement, the same cement with 10% silica
fume replacement, the cement with 50% granulated blast-furnace
slag replacement, and a ternary cement containing 6% silica fume
and 20% Class F fly ash. The concentrations of anti-washout
admixture have direct impact on washout resistance. For a given
washout loss, greater slump flow consistency can be achieved with
the increases in anti-washout admixture concentration and
decreases in water-binder ratio. The washout mass loss can be
reduced, for a given consistency, when the ternary binder or 10%
silica fume replacement is used.
Keywords: admixture; fly ash; granulated blast-furnace slag; silica fume;
slump; water-reducing admixture (high-range).
INTRODUCTION
Anti-washout admixtures (AWAs) are used to enhance the
stability of fresh cement-based systems, including underwa-
ter concrete. Several researchers have reported improvement
in washout resistance and in-place properties of underwater-
cast concrete when the concrete incorporates AWAs.1-3
Such admixtures are also used in self-consolidating concrete
to enhance resistance to bleeding, segregation, and surface
settlement.
Commonly used AWAs include cellulose derivatives and
polysaccharides of microbial sources.4-6 The mode of action
of AWA depends on the type and concentration of the poly-
mer. For example, welan gum is believed to increase the vis-
cosity of mixing water as long-chain polymer molecules
adhere to the periphery of water molecules, thus imbibing
and fixing part of the mixing water and enhancing the paste
viscosity.7 This can improve the capacity of the paste to sus-
pend solid particles and retain free water. Concrete modified
with AWA exhibits higher yield value and plastic viscosity
compared with non-AWA concrete. 6 High-range water-
reducing admixture (HRWR) is added to reduce the yield
value of AWA concrete. The increase in HRWR and AWA
dosages could secure flowable concrete of relatively low
yield value and moderate-to-high plastic viscosity of high
washout resistance. Mixtures containing AWA can exhibit
shear-thinning behavior, whereby the apparent viscosity
ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001
TECHNICAL PAPER
decreases with the shear rate that facilitates pumping and
placement. The shear-thinning behavior is affected by the
water content and the type and dosage rate of the AWA.
Anti-washout concrete can be highly thixotropic, whereby a
relatively fast buildup of viscosity can be observed at a given
shear rate. Such thixotropy can contribute to stability of
freshly cast concrete, including the resistance to water erosion
of exposed surfaces.
Several of the relevant mixture properties necessary for
successful underwater placement contradict one another.
Such concrete should therefore be tailored to achieve good
balance between mixture parameters that have direct bearing
on rheological properties and performance of the hardened
concrete. With sound mixture proportioning and proper
combinations of HRWR and AWA, it is possible to secure
high-performance concrete for underwater applications.8-9
Slump flow consistency is often used to assess deformability
of highly flowable concrete. For underwater concrete, the slump
flow is influenced, in order of importance, by the AWA
concentration and binder content, by the water-cementitious
materials ratio (w/cm), and by HRWR dosage.10 The washout
mass loss is affected by, in order of importance, the AWA
dosage, binder content, w/cm, and HRWR concentration.
The w/cm has direct bearing on stability of fresh concrete
and mechanical properties. For underwater AWA concrete,
the Standards of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE)
recommend limiting the w/cm to 0.50 and 0.55 when casting
reinforced concrete in seawater and in fresh water, respectively;
these values can be 0.60 and 0.65, respectively, for non-
reinforced concrete.11
The use of supplementary cementitious materials has direct
bearing on workability and stability of fresh concrete. For
example, the substitution of cement mass by 8% silica fume
or by 20% Class F fly ash can enhance washout resistance,
compared with concrete made without any supplementary
cementitious materials. For concrete with 0.41 w/cm and a
slump of 230 mm, the incorporation of 8% of silica fume is
reported to reduce washout loss, segregation coefficient, and
surface settlement by as much as 6, 65, and 50%, respectively,
compared with concrete with 100% cement.12 In the case of
concrete with 20% fly ash replacement, the washout loss,
segregation coefficient, and surface settlement were found
to decrease by as much as 6, 40, and 65%, respectively,
compared with concrete without supplementary cementitious
materials.12
ACI Materials Journal, V. 98, No. 4, July-August 2001.
MS No. 00-124 received June 5, 2000, and reviewed under Institute publication pol-
icies. Copyright 2001, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved, including
the making of copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors.
Pertinent discussion will be published in the May-June 2002 ACI Materials Journal if
received by February 1, 2002.
289

ACI member Kamal H. Khayat is a professor of civil engineering at the Universit de
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. He is a member of ACI Committee 234, Silica Fume in
Concrete; 236, Materials Science of Concrete; and 552, Geotechnical Cement Grout-
ing. His research interests include high-performance concrete, self-consolidating con-
crete, rheology, and repair.
ACI member Mohammed Sonebi is a lecturer at the Advanced Concrete and
Masonry Center, Division of Civil Engineering and Construction, University of Pais-
ley, Scotland. He received his PhD in civil engineering from the Universit de Sher-
brooke. His research interests include underwater concrete, self-consolidating
concrete, and rheology.
The objective of the study presented herein is to investi-
gate the coupled effect of AWA concentration, w/cm, and
supplementary cementitious materials on the variations of
washout resistance with the fluidity of underwater concrete.
Such high-performance concrete is targeted for use in under-
water construction and repair.
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
Ensuring high washout resistance is essential to secure
proper in-place performance of underwater cast concrete.
The results presented in this paper deal with the effects of
AWA type and concentration, w/cm, and binder composition
on slump flow consistency and washout resistance of high-
performance concrete. Such data are critical given the increasing
demand to secure quality repairs underwater and the higher
environmental constraints to limit water pollution resulting
from such operations.
MATERIALS
This study used a Type 10 Canadian cement (CSA3-A5-
M83) similar to ASTM Type I cement, a nondensified silica
fume, a Class F fly ash (ASTM C 618-84), and a granulated
blast-furnace slag. The specific gravity values of the silica
fume, fly ash, and granulated blast-furnace slag were 2.22,
2.53, and 2.88, respectively. The Blaine fineness of the cement,
fly ash, and ground blast-furnace slag were 380, 360, and
450 m2/kg, respectively.
A continuously graded crushed limestone aggregate with
nominal particle size of 14 mm and a well-graded siliceous
sand with fineness modulus of 2.5 were used. The values of
bulk specific gravity of the coarse aggregate and sand were
2.72 and 2.66, respectively, with absorption levels of 0.3 and
1.2%, respectively.
Powdered welan gum and a liquid-based cellulosic material
with 1.20 specific gravity were used for the AWA. A naph-
thalene-based HRWR conforming to CSA3-A266-2-M85
with solid content of 42% and specific gravity of 1.21 was
used in AWA mixtures containing welan gum and those
without any AWA. A melamine-based HRWR was used in
mixtures made with the cellulose-based AWA. The solid
content and specific gravity of this HRWR are 40% and 1.20,
respectively. A carboxylic hydroxide acid conforming to
CSA3-A266-2-M78 was incorporated to enhance fluidity re-
tention of the AWA concrete.
MIXTURE PROPORTIONS
As summarized in Table 1, the investigated mixtures were
prepared with w/cm of 0.41 and 0.47, corresponding to high-
performance concrete used for underwater construction and
repair. As indicated in Table 1, the concentrations of welan
gum were varied between 0.07 and 0.15% (by mass of bind-
er), which represent low to moderate dosages for underwater
concrete application. The dosages of the cellulosic AWA
ranged between 1 and 1.65 L/100 kg of cementitious materi-
als, representing moderate to high values.
The sand-to-aggregate mass ratio was fixed at 0.46. All
mixtures incorporated high binder contents to limit aggre-
gate volume to approximately 300 L/m3 to enhance flow
characteristics in restricted areas. High binder content can
reduce the HRWR and AWA demand necessary to secure
given levels of fluidity and stability, with direct impact on

Table 1Concrete mixture proportions

w/cm = 0.41 w/cm = 0.47
6% SF + 6% SF +
Materials 100% C 10% SF 20% FA 50% SL 100% C 10% SF 20% FA 50% SL
Cement, kg/m3 592 530 473 296 557 497 439 278
Silica fume, kg/m3 58 55
Fly ash, kg/m3 119 109
Granulated blast-furnace
296 278
slag, kg/m3
water, kg/m3 243 241 243 243 262 261 261 258
Coarse aggregate, kg/m3 816 810 817 819 830 822 838 827
Sand, kg/m3 693 690 694 698 707 700 698 706
Set retarder, mL/100 kg
of CM 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85

Naphthalene-based
1.6 to 8.2 4.2 to 9.8 5.9 to 9.4 2.1 to 5.9 0.0 to 3.1 3.2 to 5.6 4.0 to 7.0 0.7 to 2.8
HRWR, L/m3

Welan gum AWA, 0.07* 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07
% mass of CM 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
0.15
Melamine-based HRWR,
1.4 to 2.0 2.5 to 4.1 1.9 to 3.9 0.0 to 2.6 0.0 to 1.5 3.1 to 4.5 1.0 to 3.0 0.0 to 1.7
L/m3
Cellulose AWA,
L/100 kg of CM 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 to 1.65 1.0 1.0 1.65
*0.07% binder = 0.17% of water for w/cm = 0.41 and 0.15% of water for w/cm = 0.47.
0.15% binder = 0.37% of water for w/cm = 0.41 and 0.32% of water for w/cm = 0.47.

290 ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

cost.13 High-volume replacements of cement by fly ash or w/cm of 0.47. The relationship between slump and slump
granulated blast-furnace slag were chosen to enhance perfor- flow for all tested mixtures is shown in Fig. 1. The slump
mance and limit temperature rise. flow is shown to be more sensitive than the slump measure-
ment in reflecting appreciable increases in consistency of
SPECIMEN PREPARATION AND TESTING highly flowable concrete. The effect of the increase in con-
All mixtures were prepared in 67 L batches using an open sistency on washout resistance is expressed in terms of
pan mixer. The batching sequence consisted of mixing the slump flow values for the remainder of the results.
sand and cementitious materials, then adding 75% of the
mixing water with half of the HRWR. The coarse aggregate High-range water-reducing admixture demand
was then added, along with the remaining water. The powdered The initial slump flow of the investigated mixtures was
welan gum was premixed with part of the mixing water limited to 550 to 600 mm, which is lower than values found
(at 1% solution), and both liquid-based AWAs were added for self-consolidating concrete cast above water (slump
last to the mixer. The concrete was mixed for 3 min., fol- flow of 600 to 700 mm). Slump flow values greater than
lowed by 1 min. of rest, and remixed for two more minutes. 600 mm for underwater concrete would greatly reduce
The ambient temperature during mixing and sampling was stability or necessitate much greater cost to ensure proper
fixed at 21 3 C. washout resistance. The HRWR demand of mixtures prepared
The consistency was evaluated using the noted slump and
slump flow tests 1 min. following the removal of the slump
cone. The slump flow corresponded to the mean base diam- Table 3Results of mixtures with 0.41 w/cm and
eter of the concrete at the end of the slump test. The washout welan gum
mass loss was determined in compliance with CRD C61- HRWR,* Slump, Slump Washout
89A.14 The test consists of casting approximately 2 kg of Type of CM L/m3 AWA type dosage mm flow, mm loss, %
fresh concrete in a perforated basket and subjecting it to a 0.7 205 345 9.1
free fall drop in 1.7 m of water. Cumulative loss in mass is 1.3 235 400 14.6
Control
reported after three drops in water. 100% C None
2.0 245 440 24.8
4.0 270 585 45.8
TEST PROGRAM
2.7 210 375 6.2
The experimental program involving a total of 24 mixtures is
3.5 Welan gum 240 470 6.4
summarized in Table 2. The study was undertaken to determine 100% C
4.5 (0.07% of CM) 260 555 9.1
the effect of AWA dosage on the variations in washout loss with
consistency. This was carried out for mixtures with w/cm of 5.2 265 600 29.4
0.41 and 0.47 made with 100% cement, 10% silica fume, 6% 4.9 245 435 3.0
Welan gum
silica fume and 20% fly ash, and 50% granulated blast-furnace 100% C 7.5
(0.15% of CM)
255 500 6.2
slag replacements. These mixtures are referred to as 100% C, 8.2 265 550 7.6
10% SF, 6% SF + 20% FA, and 50% SL, respectively. 4.2 210 315 6.9
5.1 Welan gum 220 380 9.8
10% SF
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 6.3 (0.07% of CM) 225 415 11.5
Summarized in Table 3 and 4 are the measured slump and 8.0 250 490 19.8
slump flow consistency and washout loss values of mixtures 5.0 240 405 1.7
made with welan gum and cellulosic AWA, with w/cm of 10% SF 6.5
Welan gum
260 520 5.3
0.41. Table 5 gives these results for mixtures prepared with (0.15% of CM)
7.7 270 605 8.2
5.9 240 460 6.0
Table 2Summary of experimental program 7.2 250 515 7.6
6% SF + Welan gum
Relationship w/cm Type of CM AWA type dosage 20% FA 8.2 (0.07% of CM) 265 590 10.8
100% C None 9.4 270 635 11.8
100% C Welan gum 0.07, 0.15 6.0 220 420 1.8
10% SF Welan gum 0.07, 0.15 6.9 240 450 2.8
6% SF + 20% FA Welan gum 0.07, 0.15 6% SF + 7.8
Welan gum
250 490 4.1
20% FA (0.15% of CM)
0.41 50% SL Welan gum 0.07, 0.15 8.5 260 560 6.0
100% C Cellulosic 1.0 9.3 265 580 7.7
10% SF Cellulosic 1.0 2.1 220 405 10.0
6% SF + 20% FA Cellulosic 1.0 2.9 230 440 10.1
Washout loss versus Welan gum
slump flow 50% SL Cellulosic 1.0 50% SL 3.6 245 490 10.5
(0.07% of CM)
100% C Welan gum 0.07, 0.15 4.3 265 540 12.5
10% SF Welan gum 0.07, 0.15 5.4 270 675 36.6
6% SF + 20% FA Welan gum 0.07 3.1 220 410 2.9
50% SL Welan gum 0.07 3.9 230 450 3.6
0.47 Welan gum
100% C Cellulosic 1.0, 1.65 50% SL 4.6 250 510 5.8
(0.15% of CM)
10% SF Cellulosic 1.0 5.4 260 550 7.3
6% SF + 20% FA Cellulosic 1.0 5.9 265 600 11.0
50% SL Cellulosic 1.0 *High-range water-reducing admixture.

ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001 291

with 0.41 w/cm containing welan gum ranged between 2.7
and 9.4 L/m3, and those with cellulosic AWA ranged between
0 and 4.1 L/m 3, respectively. With 0.47 w/cm, the HRWR
demand of mixtures containing welan and cellulosic AWA
ranged from 0 to 7 L/m3 and 0 to 4.5 L/m3, respectively.
The HRWR demand required to secure a targeted slump
flow of 450 mm for mixtures with each AWA is plotted in
Fig. 2 and 3. As expected, the increase in AWA dosage
necessitated greater addition of HRWR to maintain a
fixed slump flow. For example, the increase of welan gum
from 0.07 to 0.15% in the 100% C mixture required 2.2 L/m3
of additional HRWR. Concrete with 10% SF and concrete
with 6% SF + 20% FA required, respectively, 3.8 and 2.6 L/m3
greater HRWR dosage when prepared with 0.07% welan
gum and 0.41 w/cm. On the other hand, the use of 50%
SL reduced the HRWR demand by 0.3 and 1.6 L/m 3 for
mixtures with 0.07 and 0.15% welan gum, respectively.
Effect of AWA content on variations of washout
loss with consistency
The impact of the dosage of welan gum and cellulose-
based AWA on the variations of washout with slump flow
for the 100% C concrete are illustrated in Fig. 4 and 5, re-
spectively. Similar data are reported in Fig. 6 for mixtures
made with welan gum and supplementary cementitious ma-
terials. For a given w/cm, the increase in slump flow consis-
tency by adding HRWR resulted in higher washout loss,
regardless of the dosage of AWA. This was especially the
case for concrete with no AWA or with low AWA dosage.
For a given AWA, additional HRWR can reduce yield value
and affect stability of the fresh concrete. This leads to the in-
crease in free water content that reduces the ability of the
paste to retain water and suspended solid particles and fines.
For any given consistency, the increase in welan gum dos-
age from 0 to 0.15% or in cellulosic AWA from 1 L/100 kg
to 1.65 L/100 kg of cementitious materials resulted in a sub-
stantial reduction in washout loss. For example, for the
100% C concrete made with 0.41 w/cm and having a slump
flow of 450 mm, a reduction of 27 to 6% in washout loss was
observed with the increase of welan gum content from 0 to
0.07%. Further increases in welan gum to 0.15% yielded
limited enhancement in washout resistance.
For a given washout loss of 9%, an increase in welan gum
from 0 to 0.07% and to 0.15% for concrete with 0.41 w/cm
can enable the casting of concrete with slump flow increased
from 350 mm (slump of 210 mm) to 525 and 565 mm (slump of
255 and 265 mm), respectively. Therefore, the critical consis-
tency beyond which sharp increases in washout loss occur can
be extended with further additions of AWA. This is due to the
increase in viscosity and water-retention capacity of the paste.

Fig. 1Relationship between slump and slump flow. Fig. 2Effect of cementitious materials combination and
w/cm on HRWR demand of mixtures made with welan gum
and fixed slump flow of 450 mm.
Table 4Results of mixtures with 0.41 w/cm and
cellulosic AWA
HRWR,* Slump, Slump Washout
Type of CM L/m3 AWA type dosage mm flow, mm loss, %
1.4 Cellulosic AWA 255 465 5.9
100% C (1.0 L/100 kg
2.0 CM) 265 555 8.5
2.5 240 400 3.6
Cellulosic AWA
10% SF 3.5 (1.0 L/100 kg 255 510 5.9
CM)
4.1 265 535 6.4
1.9 Cellulosic AWA 240 400 3.6
6% SF +
3.2 (1.0 L/100 kg 270 490 4.1
20% FA CM)
3.9 275 555 4.8
0.0 Cellulosic AWA
240 380 3.7
50% SL 1.9 (1.0 L/100 kg 260 525 6.4 Fig. 3Effect of cementitious materials combination and w/
CM)
2.6 275 610 8.6 cm on HRWR demand of mixtures made with cellulosic AWA
*
High-range water-reducing admixture. and fixed slump flow of 450 mm (1 L = 1 L/100 kg CM).

292 ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

Effect of w/cm on relationships between washout
loss and consistency
The effect of reducing the w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41 to
enhance washout resistance of mixtures with 100% C
containing welan gum and those with 6% SF + 20% FA and
50% SL are illustrated in Fig. 4 and 7, respectively. For any
given consistency, the reduction of w/cm led to significant
enhancements in washout resistance. For example, for concrete
with 0.07% welan gum proportioned for a constant slump
flow of 500 mm, the decrease in w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41
resulted in a reduction of washout loss from approximately
15 to 7%, 14 to 7%, and 19 to 11% for the 100% C, 6% SF
+ 20% FA, and 50% SL mixtures, respectively.
Effect of binder composition
The influence of binder composition on the variations of
washout with slump flow consistency is presented in Fig. 8
and 9. For the majority of mixtures, the incorporation of 10%
SF, 6% SF + 20% FA, or 50% SL resulted in improvements
in washout resistance regardless of w/cm. For a given slump
flow, the 6% SF + 20% FA concrete exhibited greater wash-
out resistance. For example, for a high slump flow of 550 mm,
concrete containing 6% SF + 20% FA with 0.41 w/cm and
0.15% welan gum or 1 L/100 kg cellulosic AWA can exhibit
washout losses of 5.8 and 4.8%, respectively, compared with
Table 5Results of mixtures with 0.47 w/cm

HRWR,* Slump, Slump Washout

Type of CM L/m3 AWA type dosage mm flow, mm loss, %
0.5 220 430 9.7
0.9 Welan gum 240 475 11.9
100% C
1.7 (0.07% of CM) 250 490 13.8
2.9 260 535 17.8
0.0 180 305 3.0
0.4 200 350 5.2
Welan gum
100% C 1.4 230 430 8.1
(0.15% of CM)
2.0 245 460 10.0
3.1 270 550 15.2
3.2 190 390 8.4
4.0 Welan gum 220 440 9.9
10% SF
5.0 (0.07% of CM) 250 480 39.0
Fig. 4Effect of w/cm and welan gum dosage on variations
of washout loss with slump flow for mixtures made with 5.6 255 525 52.7
100% C. 3.6 190 300 1.7
50
4.1 Welan gum 225 380 4.1
100% cement - W/CM = 0.41 10% SF
4.6 (0.15% of CM) 250 440 4.9
Cellulosic AWA
40 5.1 265 500 6.3
Washout loss (%)

4.0 220 410 7.9

Increasing AWA = 0%
30 HRWR 5.0 245 460 9.7
6% SF + Welan gum
20% FA 5.9 (0.07% of CM) 250 500 13.9
20
7.0 270 610 30.0
AWA = 1.0 l/100 kg CM
0.7 220 400 9.8
10
AWA = 1.65 l/100 kg CM
1.2 Welan gum 225 420 14.4
50% SL
1.8 (0.07% of CM) 240 465 15.6
0
300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 2.8 245 550 22.6
Slump flow (mm) 0.0 205 350 4.8
0.1 220 400 5.7
Fig. 5Effect of cellulosic AWA content on variations of
0.2 Cellulosic AWA 245 430 6.3
washout loss with slump flow for concrete made 100% C 100% C (1.0 L/100 kg
and 0.41 w/cm. 0.25 CM) 250 460 7.1
0.35 250 480 7.8
25 (675 mm, 37%)
W/CM = 0.41 0.07% AWA 0.5 255 530 8.4
AWA = Welan gum 0.15% AWA
20
0.0 230 430 3.7
Cellulosic AWA
Washout loss (%)

50% SL 100% C 1.0 (1.65 L/100 kg 260 500 4.0

Increasing 10% SF CM)
15 1.5 270 570 4.8
HRWR
6% SF + 20% FA 3.1 240 420 3.7
Cellulosic AWA
10 10% SF 3.9 (1.0 L/100 kg 270 490 5.6
CM)
50% SL 4.5 275 520 6.0
5 10% SF 1.0 250 405 4.4
Cellulosic AWA
6% SF + 20% FA 6% SF +
20% FA 2.3 (1.0 L/100 kg 265 505 6.3
0 CM)
3.0 270 565 7.4
300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700
Slump flow (mm)
0.0 Cellulosic AWA 275 510 4.1
50% SL 1.0 (1.65 L/100 kg 280 545 4.3
Fig. 6Effect of welan gum dosage and binder composition on CM)
1.7 280 595 4.7
variations of washout loss with slump flow for mixtures with
*
0.41 w/cm. High-range water-reducing admixture.

ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001 293

similar concrete with 100% C having washout losses of
7.6% and 8.5%, respectively. The improvement in wash-
out resistance of the 6% SF + 20% FA concrete can be due
to the enhancement of packing density of the binder and
the improvement of cohesiveness of the paste resulting from
greater retention of free water. This reduces the tendency of
fines to migrate out of the matrix with washed-out water
upon casting.
The substitution of 10% cement by silica fume resulted in
substantial reduction in washout loss. For any given slump flow,
the 10% SF concrete with 0.41 w/cm containing 0.15% welan
gum or 1 L/100 kg cellulosic AWA exhibited better washout re-
sistance compared with similar concrete with 100% C.
40
Welan gum = 0.07%
W/CM = 0.41
10% SF
Washout loss (%)
At the relatively low welan gum content of 0.07%, the
50% SL concrete exhibited lower washout resistance than
the remaining mixtures. The high substitution of cement by
granulated blast-furnace slag capable of retaining less water
than cement, silica fume, or fly ash can result in a greater
volume of free water and higher risk of water dilution. With
the increase in welan gum content to 0.15%, the 50% SL
mixture exhibited slightly lower washout loss than the 100%
C concrete.
Comparison of washout losses for given slump
flow consistency
The levels of washout loss of various mixtures made with
welan gum and cellulosic AWA are compared in Fig. 10 and
11 for slump flows of 450 and 550 mm, respectively. With
(525 mm, 53%) the higher slump flow consistency of 550 mm corresponding
to self-consolidating, underwater concrete, lower washout
50% SL
losses were secured with the 0.41 w/cm mixture made with

30 6% SF + 20% FA and higher concentrations of AWA. For

W/CM = 0.47 6% SF + 20% FA

50% SL
the 450 mm slump flow level, the concrete with the silica
Increasing
20 HRWR fume and fly ash again exhibited the lowest washout losses
of approximately 3 and 4% in mixtures containing 0.15%
6% SF + 20% FA
welan gum and 1 L/100 kg cellulosic AWA, respectively.
10 10% SF

CONCLUSIONS
0 Based on the results of this study, the following conclu-
300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 sions appear to be warranted:
Slump flow (mm) 1. The measurement of slump flow is more sensitive in re-
Fig. 7Effect of w/cm and binder composition on varia- flecting changes in consistency of highly flowable AWA
tions of washout loss with slump flow.
30 (41%) Welan gum AWA (53%)

12 450 mm 550 mm
W/CM = 0.41 25 W/CM = 0.47
Washout loss (%)

Welan gum = 0.15% 50% SL

10 W/CM = 0.41
Washout loss (%)

20
10% SF
Increasing
8 15
HRWR 100% C
6 10

6% SF + 20% FA 5
4
0
2
%

S L 5%

S L 7%
%

SF 5%

7%

SF 5%

SF %S 07%

5%
%

SL 7%

7%
7
0% .07

15

0% .07
0% C-0

0% .15
0% 0.0

.1

.0
.1

.0

.1

0% .1
.0

.0
6% +20 -0.

.
5 0 A-0

5 0 A-0
-0

-0

-0

-0

-0

-0

+2 F-0
-0

-0

-0
0
0%

+2 A-
C

C
F

F
SF %S
10

%
%

400 450 500 550 600 650

10

10

10

6% 10

50

10

10

10

6% 10
SF

Slump flow (mm)

Fig. 8Variations of washout loss with slump flow for mix- Fig. 10Comparison of washout losses of various mixtures with
tures made with different binder types (w/cm = 0.41 and slump flow of 450 and 550 mm containing welan gum AWA.
0.15% welan gum).
30 (41%) Cellulosic AWA
10
W/CM = 0.41
25 450 mm 550 mm
Washout loss (%)

Cellulosic AWA = 1.0 l/100 kg CM 50% SL

Washout loss (%)

8 20
100% C
Increasing
15
HRWR W/CM = 0.41 W/CM = 0.47
6 10% SF 10

5
4 0
6% SF + 20% FA
%

L
L
L

L
L

L
-0

-1

-1

-1
5
-1

-1

-1
-1

-1
.6
C

SF

SF
SL

SL
FA

FA
C

-1
0%

0%
0%

2
C
0%

0%
0%
10

10

50

10

10

50
10

+2

+2
10

350 400 450 500 550 600 650

SF

SF
6%

6%

Slump flow (mm)

Fig. 9Variations of washout loss with slump flow for mixtures Fig. 11Comparison of washout mass losses of various
made with different binder types (w/cm = 0.41; 1.0 L/100 kg of mixtures with slump flow of 450 and 550 mm containing
cementitious materials of cellulosic AWA). cellulosic AWA.

294 ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001

concrete than the slump values for mixtures with slump
greater than 230 mm;
2. The variations of washout mass loss and slump flow
consistency is highly affected by the w/cm, concentration of
AWA, and use of supplementary cementitious materials;
3. For a given fluidity, regardless of AWA content, the use
of the replacement of cement by 6% silica fume and 20% fly
ash can secure the highest washout resistance, comparable
with concrete containing 10% silica fume;
4. The reduction of w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41 for concrete
made with 0.07% welan gum and ternary binder resulted in
37 and 57% lower washout loss at slump flow consistencies
of 450 and 550 mm, respectively. Similarly, in mixtures con-
taining 1 L/100 kg cementitious materials of cellulosic
AWA, the washout loss was shown to decrease by 28 and
34% with the reduction in w/cm from 0.47 to 0.41 at slump
flow values of 450 and 550 mm, respectively; and
5. The performance of the 50% SL concrete depends on the
AWA dosage. At low AWA content (0.07% welan gum), the
50% SL concrete had greater washout loss compared with the
100% C concrete. Both mixtures, however, exhibited similar
performance with higher content of welan gum (0.15%).
CONVERSION FACTORS
1 cm = 0.0039 in.
1 L/m3 = 25.85 fl. oz/yd3
1 MPa = 145 psi
1 kg/m3 = 1.685 lb/yd3
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ACI Materials Journal/July-August 2001
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tional Conference on Superplasticizers and Other Chemical Admix-
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295