Investigation of the characteristics of fly ash based self compacting concrete

Abstract

Compared to the Conventionally Vibrated Concrete (CVC), the newlineSelf-Compacting Concrete (SCC) possesses enhanced qualities and improves newlineproductivity and working conditions due to the elimination of compaction. newlineSCC is a highly flowable and non-segregating concrete that can spread, into newlineplace, fill the formwork and encapsulate the reinforcement without any newlinemechanical vibration. The SCC s usage will lead to a substantial improvement newlinein the quality, durability and reliability of the concrete structures and eliminate newlinesome of the possible human errors during placing and compaction. newlineSCC generally has higher powder content than the CVC, and thus it newlineis necessary to replace some portion of the cement with additions to achieve an newlineeconomical and durable concrete. Fly ash is one such addition. The estimated newlinequantity of yearly fly ash generation in India is expected to reach 225 million newlinetons by 2017, out of which around 15-20% is utilized in cement production and newlinecement/concrete related activities. In order to increase its percentage of newlineutilization, an investigation was carried out on using the SCC whilst newlinemaintaining its satisfactory properties. Moreover, the established benefits of the newlineuse of high volumes of fly ash in CVC, and the utilization of large volumes of newlinefly ash in various SCC applications is becoming a more general practice. It is newlinealso felt that in India, public awareness about the use of SCC in general newlineconstruction, and the realization of the potential economic and environmental newlinebenefits of this technology is lacking. newlineiv newlineThe objective of this research is to improve the understanding of the newlineproperties of SCC containing Class F fly ash with different fineness newlinemeasurements, and different ratios, using the SNF grade superplasticizer. By newlinethe use of fly ash in SCC, the Portland cement content is reduced, and newlinetherefore, the embedded carbon foot print is also reduced. Additionally, this newlinework aims to provide necessary information that can be used for the newlinecommercialization of SCC, to the manufacturers. newline