85

CHAPTER 5

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ON FRESH PROPERTIES

5.1 GENERAL

Following the testing procedures elaborated in the previous chapter,

the fresh properties of Self Compacting Concrete (i.e.) Slump flow test, V
funnel test, L box test and U box test are obtained on concrete with selected
VMA and superplasticizer and their dosage . Mixes were prepared by varying
fly ash content from 25% to 50% in steps of 5 % and the w/cm ratio as
0.30,0.35 and 0.40 and their combinations and the results are discussed in
this chapter. The results of hardened properties are discussed in chapter 6and
that of structural properties are discussed in chapter 7.

For obtaining hardened properties and structural properties 162

concrete cube specimens, 114 concrete cylinder specimens, 114 concrete
prism specimens, 114 concrete pull out specimens, 114 concrete disc
specimens, 16 reinforced concrete beam specimens, 16 reinforced concrete
column specimens and 8 beam – column joint specimens were tested. The
experimental results of 658 test specimens as shown in Table 5.1 are
discussed in this section. The experimental results presented in this research
include:

x Performance of SCC with different combinations of VMA

(CMC, bio polymer and Organic aqueous solution) and
HRWR (Melamine sulfonate SP, Napthalene sulfonate SP,
polycarboxylic ether SP) and comparison of the properties of
normal concrete and Self compacting concrete with the above
VMA and HRWR combination in the fresh and hardened state
and suggestion of the VMA and HRWR combination and their
 86

dosage which is suitable for the production of economical

high performance self compacting concrete

x Variation in compressive strength of concrete with different

percentages of fly ash in SCC mixes when compared with the
normal concrete and the optimum replacement level of fly ash
resulting in substantial reduction in cement content

x Variation in tensile strength of concrete with different

percentages of fly ash in SCC when compared with the normal
concrete and the optimum replacement level of fly ash
resulting in substantial reduction of cement content

x Variation in flexural strength of concrete with different

percentages of fly ash in SCC when compared with the normal
concrete and the optimum replacement level of fly ash
resulting in substantial reduction in cement content

x Variation in bond strength of concrete with different

percentages of fly ash in SCC when compared with the normal
concrete

x Variation in impact strength of concrete with different

percentages of fly ash in SCC when compared with the normal
concrete

x Ductility of self compacting reinforced concrete beams with

w/cm ratio of 0.3, 0.35 and 0.4 compared with the normal
reinforced concrete beam
x Load - deflection behaviour of self compacting reinforced
concrete beams with w/cm ratio of 0.3, 0.35 and 0.4 compared
with the normal reinforced concrete beam

x Load carrying capacity of self compacting reinforced concrete

columns with w/cm ratio of 0.3, 0.35 and 0.4 compared with
the normal reinforced concrete column and
x Ductility of self compacting reinforced concrete beam –
column joints compared with the normal reinforced concrete
beam – column joint.
 87

Table 5.1 Details of specimens tested

Compression Tension Flexure Bond Impact Flexure Axial Reinforced

Sl. Beam –
Type of Mix Cube Cylinder Prism Pull out Disc Reinforced Reinforced
No. Column
Specimens specimens specimens Specimens Specimens Beam Column Joint
1 NC 6 6 6 6 6 4 4 4
2 PCESP 3 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
3 PCESP 4 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
4 PCESP 5 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
5 PCESP +
6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
BP3
6 PCESP +
6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
PB4
7 PCESP +
6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
PB5
8 MSSP + CMC1 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
9 MSSP + CMC2 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
10 FA25
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.30)
11 FA30
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.30)
12 FA35
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.30)
13 FA40
6 6 6 6 6 4 4 4
(w/cm-0.30)
14 FA45
6 6 6 6 6 -- --
(w/cm-0.30)
15 FA50
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.30)
16 FA25
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.35)
17 FA30
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.35)
18 FA35
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.35)
19 FA40
6 6 6 6 6 4 4 --
(w/cm-0.35)
20 FA45
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.35)
21 FA50
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.35)
22 FA25
6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.40) 6
23 FA30
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.40)
24 FA35
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.40)
25 FA40
6 6 6 6 6 4 4 --
(w/cm-0.40)
26 FA45
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.40)
27 FA50
6 6 6 6 6 -- -- --
(w/cm-0.40)
Total 162 114 114 114 114 16 16 8
 88

5.2 TRIAL AND COMPATIBILITY TEST ON DIFFERENT

COMBINATIONS FOR FRESH AND HARDENED
PROPERTIES OF SCC

A total of five different admixture and VMA combinations were

tried with different dosages. Slump flow test was carried out for each mix by
varying the admixture content and the mix which gave satisfactory flow value
was chosen for the study on the properties in fresh state and the results are
given in Table 5.2. Based on the dosage obtained in slump flow test,
particular combination of super plasticizer and VMA which satisfy the
requirements of SCC in fresh state was chosen and the compressive strength
test was carried out for that mix. Six cubes were cast and tested for 7 days and
28 days strength. The test results for different combinations are presented in
Table 5.3.

5.2.1 PCESP

Increase in the dosage of polycarboxylic ether SP increases the

flowability of the concrete up to a dosage of 1.2% and thereafter stiffening of
the mix occurs. It is due to sharp decrease in dispersion effect of PCESP. As
observed from the Table 5.2 the mixes such as PCESP3, PCESP5 satisfied
L-box, U-box and Slump flow test except V-funnel. So these mixes have good
filling ability and passing ability but the segregation resistance was somewhat
lesser than the desired value. The mix with 1.2% PCESP4 satisfied all the
flow requirements.

For this mix (PCESP4) the compressive strength at 7 days and

28 days were almost equal to that of the corresponding compressive strength
of normal concrete. But, other mixes gave slightly less strength because of the
slight increase in w/cm ratio which is required for achieving the required fresh
properties.
 89

5.2.2 Biopolymer

The mixes BP1 and BP2 did not satisfy the requirements in the
L-box, U-box, Slump flow and V-funnel test. So these mixes were not
considered for further investigation.

5.2.3 PCESP + Biopolymer

Increase in the dosage of biopolymer VMA decreases the

flowability of the concrete. The mix PCESP+BP4, PCESP+BP5 gave higher
values for V-funnel and T5min because of the higher dosage of VMA. The
mix PCESP+BP3 satisfied all the tests such as L-box, U-box, Slump flow and
V-funnel though it had only 1% of polycarboxylic ether superplactisizer and
0.1% of biopolymer VMA. These results are obtained due to the viscosity
modifying property of biopolymer.

The compressive strength of the concrete mix PCESP+BP3 was

higher than the normal Concrete and PCESP4 concrete, though w/cm ratio for
this mix was higher than PCESP4 mix, density was slightly lower than the
normal concrete because of the high volume of fly ash content in the concrete
mixes. These mixes were considered for further investigation.

5.2.4 MSSP +Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose

It has been observed from the Table 5.2 that the addition of CMC
has no influence on the flowability of concrete. But the filling ability of CMC
was satisfied.

The compressive strength of CMC mix was very much lower as

compared to normal concrete and other mixes using PCESP, PCESP + BP.
So, these mixes were not considered for further investigation.
 90

5.2.5 NSSP + Organic Aqueous Solution

The results given in Table 5.2 shows that the mixes with organic
aqueous solution and naphthalene sulphonate superplasticizer have no SCC
properties such as filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance. So
these mixes were not considered for further investigation.

5.2.6 Discussion on Choosing Superplasticizer and VMA Based on

Hardened Properties

From Table 5.3 it is found that the mix PCESP+BP3 gave the
compressive strength more than normal concrete (NC) specimens and this mix
gave good fresh properties as found from Table 5.2. Hence 1% of
Polycorboxylic superplasticizer and 0.1 % of Biopolymer VMA were chosen
for further investigations.
 Table 5.2 Fresh properties of various trial mixes

Suggested
PCE PCE PCE PCE PCE PCESP PCESP MSSP+ MSSP+ NSSP NSSP
Mix BP1 BP2 PCESP+BP4 value by
SP 1 SP 2 SP3 SP 4 SP 5 +BP3 +BP5 CMC1 CMC2 +AS1 +AS2
EFFNARC
Slump
6 5 5 3 3 No flow No flow 3.5 4 6 No flow No flow No flow No flow 2-5
flow in s
Spreaded
dia in 650 685 700 700 680 No flow No flow 680 630 650 No flow No flow No flow No flow 650-800
mm
V-funnel
14 25 12 10 12 No flow No flow 11 23 28 10 12 No flow No flow 8-12
in s
V-funnel
60 30 15 12 15 Segregation Segregation 21 43 90 13 14 Segregation Segregation 12-15
T5 min in s
L-box
0.47 0.44 0.87 1.0 0.95 Blocking Blocking 0.94 0.88 0.57 Blocking Blocking Blocking Blocking 0.8-1.0
H2/H1
U-box
H2-H1 in 30 15 10 0 20 Blocking Blocking 10 20 60 Blocking Blocking Blocking Blocking 0-30
mm

Table 5.3 Compressive strength of SCC trial mixes

PCESP PCESP PCESP CMC1+ CMC2+

Mix NC PCESP3 PCESP4 PCESP5
+BP3 +BP4 +BP5 MSSP MSSP
Compressive 7 days 25.29 23.98 23.98 20.63 26.16 24.33 27.49 14.69 18.46
strength in N/mm2 28 days 34.94 32.27 33.86 32.06 35.25 33.64 34.85 25.29 27.90
3
Density in kg/m 2457.50 2380.29 2377.53 2401.38 2375.51 2353.28 2372.10 2314.67 2312.50

91
 92

5.3 FRESH PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE FOR VARIOUS FLY

ASH CONTENT WITH w/cm RATIO 0.30

5.3.1 General

Six different mix proportions of SCC tested were FA25, FA30,

FA35, FA40, FA45 and FA50 as given in Table 5.4. For these mixes,
workability of SCC for various percentages of fly ash replacement of cement
were obtained.

Table 5.4 Mix proportions of SCC with w/cm ratio 0.30

Sl.No Material FA25 FA30 FA35 FA40 FA45 FA50

1
Cement 438.00 408.80 379.60 350.40 321.20 292.00

2 Water 175.20 175.20 175.20 175.20 175.20 175.20

3 Fly ash 146.00 175.20 204.40 233.60 262.80 292.00
4 Fine
875 875 875 875 875 875
aggregate
5 Coarse
700 700 700 700 700 700
aggregate
6 PCE based
1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%
Superplasticizer
7 VMA
0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Biopolymer
8 w/cm
0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30
(cm=C+FA)

5.3.2 Fresh Properties

Various tests such as slump flow test, U-box test, L-box test,
V-funnel test were conducted on concrete with varying percentages of fly ash
 93

as per standard test procedure as given in the Specification and guidelines for
Self Compacting Concrete by EFNARC. The test results are shown in
Table 5.5.

Table 5.5 Fresh properties of SCC with w/cm ratio 0.30

FA FA FA FA FA FA Suggested
S.No. Test Methods NC
25 30 35 40 45 50 Value
1 V-funnel test
a. V-funnel time(s) No
8 9 9 7 6.5 6 6-12 s
flow
b. Increase in V-
No
funnel@T5min 3 3 3 3 2.5 2.5 0 to +3 s
flow
(s)
2 U-box test No
5 11.5 3.50 8 2.75 2.60 0-30 mm
(H2-H1) mm flow
3 L-box test
No
(H2/H1) 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.98 0.97 0.97 0.8-1.0
flow
(Blocking ratio)
4 (a) Slump (mm) 50mm - - - - - - -
(b) T50 cm slump No
2 2 3 2 2 2 2-7 s
flow time (s) flow
(c) Spreaded dia No 650-
628.0 658.5 698.0 741.5 765.5 762.0
(mm) flow 800mm

5.3.2.1 Filling ability

The filling ability of the SCC mixes with various fly ash content
was checked by conducting V-funnel, slump flow and T50 cm tests. All the
mixes satisfied the requirements uniformly giving values within the minimum
and maximum of reference values as observed from Figure 5.1.
 94

Figure 5.1 Filling ability properties by slump flow and V-funnel test
with w/cm ratio 0.30

5.3.2.2 Passing ability

It is the ability to pass through closely spaced rebar’s or enters

narrow sections in formwork and to flow around other obstacles without
blocking due to aggregate lock. For L-box, the desirable value of blocking
ratio (H2/H1) should be 0.8 to 1. The desirable value for the height difference
(R1-R2) in U-box should be 0 to 30 mm. All the mixes satisfied the above
requirements as seen from Figure 5.2 and have got good passing ability.

Figure 5.2 Passing ability properties by L-box test and U-box test with
w/cm ratio 0.30
 95

5.3.2.3 Segregation resistance

The time required in V-funnel for T5 min indicating segregation

resistance should be 0 to +3 seconds. All the mixes satisfied the requirement.
From Figure 5.3, it is clear that mixes FA25, FA30, FA35, FA40, FA45 and
FA50 satisfied the requirements of Self Compacting Concrete in the fresh
state indicating that increase in fly ash content beyond certain limit (i.e.) more
than 235 kg/m3 do not affect the self compactibility of concrete.

Figure 5.3 Segregation resistance properties by V-funnel T5minutes

with w/cm ratio 0.30

5.4 FRESH PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE FOR VARIOUS FLY

ASH CONTENTS WITH w/cm RATIO OF 0.35

5.4.1 General

The mix proportion of SCC concrete for six categories with w/cm
ratio of 0.35 are given in Table 5.6.
 96

Table 5.6 Mix proportions of SCC with w/cm ratio 0.35

Sl.No Material FA25 FA30 FA35 FA40 FA45 FA50

1 Cement 438.00 408.80 379.60 350.40 321.20 292.00
2 Water 204.40 204.40 204.40 204.40 204.40 204.40
3 Fly ash 146.00 175.20 204.40 233.60 262.80 292.00
4 Fine
875 875 875 875 875 875
Aggregate
5 Coarse aggregate 700 700 700 700 700 700
6 PCE based
1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%
Superplasticizer
7 VMA 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
8 w/cm
(cm=C+FA) 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35

5.4.2 Fresh Properties

Various tests such as slump flow test, U-box test, L-box test,
V-funnel test as per standard test procedure were conducted as given in
specification and guidelines for self compacting concrete by EFNARC. The
test results are tabulated in Table 5.7.
 97

Table 5.7 Fresh properties of SCC with w/cm ratio 0.35

FA FA FA FA FA FA Suggested
S.No. Test Methods NC
25 30 35 40 45 50 Value
1 V-funnel test
a. V-funnel time (s) No
8 8 9 9 12 7 6-12 s
flow
b. Increase in
No
V-funnel @T5 3 3 4 3 5 2 0 to +3 s
flow
min (s)
2 U-box test No
20 26 27 28 33 35 0-30 mm
(H2-H1) mm flow
3 L-box test
No
(H2/H1) 0.93 0.83 0.88 0.85 0.74 0.78 0.8-1.0
flow
(Blocking ratio)
4 a. Slump (mm) 50
- - - - - - -
mm
b. T50 cm slump No
4 4 4 3 5 6 2-7 s
flow time (s) flow
c. Spreaded diameter No 650-
550 676 610 620 630 600
(mm) flow 800mm

5.4.2.1 Filling ability

The desirable V-funnel value of 6 to 12 seconds, slump flow of

650 to 800 mm and T50 cm time of 3-5 seconds indicates the filling ability of
Self Compacting Concrete. All the mixes satisfied the above requirements
uniformly giving values within the minimum and maximum of reference
value observed from Figure 5.4.
 98

Figure 5.4 Filling ability properties by slump flow and V-funnel test
with w/cm ratio 0.35

5.4.2.2 Passing ability

In L-box test the desirable value of blocking ratio (H2/H1) should

be between 0.8 and 1. The mix FA45 and FA 50 gave slightly lesser value
than suggested value (Table 5.7). The desirable value for the height difference
(H1-H2) in U-box test should be from 0 to 30 mm. All the mixes satisfied the
above requirements except FA45 and FA50 which gave slightly higher values
than the desirable value as seen from Figure 5.5.

Figure 5.5 Passing ability properties by L-box test and U-box test with
w/cm ratio 0.35
 99

5.4.2.3 Segregation resistance

The time required in V-funnel for T5 min indicating segregation

resistance should be in the range 0 to +3 seconds. All the mixes satisfied the
requirement of fresh properties except FA 50 mix. From the Figure 5.6, it is
clear that mixes FA25, FA30, FA35 and FA40 satisfied the requirements of
self compacting concrete in the fresh state. FA45 and FA50 mixes gave
V-funnel T5minutes values higher than the desirable values

Figure 5.6 Segregation resistance properties by V-funnel T5 minutes

with w/cm ratio 0.35

5.5 FRESH PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE FOR VARIOUS FLY

ASH CONTENTS WITH w/cm RATIO OF 0.40

5.5.1 General

Six categories of mix proportions of SCC with w/cm ratio of 0.40

as given in Table 5.8.
 100

Table 5.8 Mix proportions of SCC with w/cm ratio 0.40

Sl.No Material FA25 FA30 FA35 FA40 FA45 FA50

1 Cement 438.00 408.80 379.60 350.40 321.20 292.00
2 Water 233.60 233.60 233.60 233.60 233.60 233.60
3 Fly ash 146.00 175.20 204.40 233.60 262.80 292.00
4 Fine
875 875 875 875 875 875
Aggregate
5 Coarse
700 700 700 700 700 700
aggregate
6 PCE based
1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%
Superplasticizer
7 VMA 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
8 w/cm
0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40
(cm=C+FA)

5.5.2 Fresh Properties

Various tests such as slump flow test, U-box test, L-box test,
V-funnel test as per standard test procedure were conducted as per the
specification and guidelines for self compacting concrete by EFNARC. The
test results are presented in Table 5.9.
 101

Table 5.9 Fresh properties of SCC with w/cm ratio 0.40

FA FA FA FA FA FA Suggested
S.No. Test Methods NC
25 30 35 40 45 50 Value
1 V-funnel test
a. V-funnel time No 6 7 9 8 9 7 6-12 s
(s) flow
b. Increase in V-
No
funnel @T5 2 1 2 1 1 2 0 to +3 s
flow
min (s)
2 U-box test No
26 17 22 20 28 32 0-30mm
(H2-H1) mm flow
3 L-box test
No
(H2/H1) 0.80 0.84 0.85 0.90 0.95 0.97 0.8-1.0
flow
(Blocking ratio)
4 a. Slump (mm) 50mm - - - - - - -
b. T50 cm
slump flow No
3 2 2 6 3 3 2-7 s
time (s) flow

c. Spreaded
No 650-
diameter 605 640 680 600 630 610
flow 800mm
(mm)

5.5.2.1 Filling ability

All the mixes satisfied the requirements uniformly within the

minimum and maximum of reference values in V-funnel time observed from
Figure 5.7. All the mixes have lower value than suggested values except
FA35 in slump flow spreaded diameter.
 102

Figure 5.7 Filling ability properties by slump flow and V-funnel test
with w/cm ratio 0.40

5.5.2.2 Passing ability

For L-box, the desirable value of blocking ratio (H2/H1) should be

0.8 to 1. Blocking ratio value of all mixes were well within 0.8 to 1.0. The
desirable value for the height difference (H1-H2) in U-box should be 0 to
30 mm. All the mixes satisfied the above requirements except FA50 which
gave slightly higher than the desirable value as seen from Figure 5.8.

Figure 5.8 Passing ability properties by L-box test and U-box test with
w/cm ratio 0.40
 103

5.5.2.3 Segregation resistance

The time required in V-funnel for T5 min indicating segregation

resistance should be 0 to +3 seconds. From the Figure 5.9, it is clear that all
the mixes satisfied the requirements of self compacting concrete in the fresh
state.

Figure 5.9 Segregation resistance properties by V-funnel T5 minutes

with w/cm ratio 0.40