Development and evaluation of normalstrength self compacting concrete

Abstract

Cast in-situ concrete is the most frequently used material worldwide in the newlinemulti-storey residential buildings. Conventional concrete (CC) casting relies on newlinecompaction to ensure adequate strength and durability. Inadequate compaction affects newlinethe quality and durability of concrete structures. Okamura in Japan first proposed the newlinenecessity of self compacting concrete (SCC) in 1986 to address the issues like long newlineproduction times, unavailability of skilled workers, unhealthy work environment and newlinedurability of concrete that exist in cast in-situ concrete technology. The SCC can flow newlinethrough the reinforcement gaps and fills the corners of moulds without any vibration newlineand compaction during the placing process. The distinct user-friendly properties of newlineSCC are being attracted greatly in the traditional construction industry also, but it is newlinenot yet utilized in residential buildings to large extent with the conception that the use newlineof higher fines and chemical admixtures in SCC leads to more material cost and newlinehigher strengths than that required for CC, and also higher paste volume and lower newlinecoarse aggregate content known to increase the drying shrinkage of SCC. newlineIn India SCC was introduced in Nineties, but the development of SCC is still newlinevery much in its infancy and it is utilizing for special concrete projects only viz. Kaiga newlineNuclear Power Plant (M30), Delhi Metro Project (M35), Tarapur Atomic Power newlineProject (M40), Palais Royale (M80) etc. newlineTo promote SCC to large extent in the construction industry, this investigation newlineis mainly focused on the development of normal strength M 25 grade of SCC suitable newlinefor low rise building constructions. Keeping in view of the savings in cost and land newlinefill, greenhouse gas emissions, fresh, mechanical and durability properties of SCC, the newlinereplacement level of class F fly ash in the cement was kept at 35% as per IS 456:2000 newlinethrough out the study. newlinevi newlineAs mortar is an intrinsic part of SCC design, this study investigated the use of newlinemini slump cone test along with the graduated glass plate to obtain