Characterization of self-Consolidating Concrete for Tensile Strength and Bonding Characteristics

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete, also referred to as self-consolidating concrete, is able to flow and consolidate under its own weight and is desecrated almost completely while flowing in the formwork. It is cohesive enough to fill the spaces of almost any size and shape without segregation or bleeding. This makes SCC particularly useful wherever placing is difficult, such as in heavily-reinforced concrete members or in complicated work forms.

Present-day self-compacting concrete can be classified as an advanced construction material. As the name suggests, it does not require to be vibrated to achieve full compaction. This offers many benefits and advantages over conventional concrete. These include an improved quality of concrete and reduction of on-site repairs, faster construction times, lower overall costs, facilitation of introduction of automation into concrete construction. An important improvement of health and safety is also achieved through elimination of handling of vibrators and a substantial reduction of environmental noise loading on and around a site. The composition of SCC mixes includes substantial proportions of fine-grained inorganic materials and this gives possibilities for utilization of mineral admixtures, which are currently waste products with no practical applications and are costly to dispose.

The objectives of this research were to compare the Splitting Tensile Strength and Compressive Strength values of self-compacting and normal concrete specimens and to examine the bonding between the coarse aggregate and the cement paste using the Scanning Electron Microscope Cylinder specimens (8” by 4”) were tested for Splitting Tensile and Compressive Strength after 28 days of standard curing, in order find out if self-compacting concrete would show an increase in these strengths and a better bonding between aggregate and cement paste, compared to normal concrete.