Mechanical, rheological, durability and microstructural properties of high performance self-compacting concrete containing SiO2 micro and nanoparticles

Abstract In this paper, mechanical, rheological, durability and microstructural properties of high performance self compacting concrete (HPSCC) incorporating SiO 2 micro and nanoparticles have been investigated. For this purpose, a fraction of Portland cement was replaced by different amounts of microsilica, nanosilica and blend of micro and nanosilica as 10%, 2% and 10% + 2% respectively. Three different binder contents as 400, 450 and 500 kg/m 3 with a constant water to binder ratio ( w / b  = 0.38) were investigated. Rheological properties were determined through slump flow time and diameter, V -funnel flow time and L -box tests and mechanical characteristics were determined. Durability properties were evaluated by water absorption, capillary absorption, Cl ion percentage and resistivity tests. Microstructure of the concrete was also assessed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the properties improved significantly for the specimens containing micro and nanosilica. Improvement of Cl ion percentage and resistivity results in the micro and nanosilica blended mixtures was also noticeable. From the microstructure point of view, the SEM micrographs showed more refined and packed pore structure of the concrete containing admixtures especially at longer ages which could lead to enhancement of strength and the durability properties of HPSCC specimens.

[1]  William John McCarter,et al.  RESISTIVITY CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE. , 1981 .

[2]  Geoffrey Mays,et al.  Durability of Concrete Structures : Investigation, repair, protection , 1990 .

[3]  M. Lachemi,et al.  Self-compacting concrete incorporating high volumes of class F fly ash: Preliminary results , 2001 .

[4]  K. Khayat.  WORKABILITY, TESTING, AND PERFORMANCE OF SELF-CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE , 1999 .

[5]  J. Ou,et al.  Flexural fatigue performance of concrete containing nano-particles for pavement , 2007 .

[6]  Jong-Bin Park,et al.  Characteristics of cement mortar with nano-SiO2 particles , 2007 .

[7]  Kae‐Long Lin,et al.  Effects of nano-SiO(2) and different ash particle sizes on sludge ash-cement mortar. , 2008, Journal of environmental management.

[8]  H. Hilsdorf,et al.  Performance Criteria for concrete Durability , 1995 .

[9]  L. Torres-Martínez,et al.  Engineering of SiO 2 Nanoparticles for Optimal Performance in Nano Cement-Based Materials , 2009 .

[10]  Mohammad Shekarchi,et al.  Transport properties in metakaolin blended concrete , 2010 .

[11]  Y. Qing,et al.  Influence of nano-SiO2 addition on properties of hardened cement paste as compared with silica fume , 2007 .

[12]  Hajime Okamura,et al.  Self-compacting concrete , 2000 .

[13]  R. Siddique.  Properties of self-compacting concrete containing class F fly ash , 2011 .

[14]  Tao Ji,et al.  Preliminary study on the water permeability and microstructure of concrete incorporating nano-SiO2 , 2005 .

[15]  J. Kropp,et al.  Performance criteria for concrete durability : state of the art report prepared by RILEM Technical Committee TC 116-PCD, Performance of Concrete as a Criterion of its Durability , 1995 .

[16]  Hajime Okamura,et al.  Self-Compacting Concrete , 2000 .

[17]  Aci Committe.  State-of-the-Art Report on High Strength Concrete , 1984 .

[18]  S. Nagataki,et al.  Self-Compacting Property of Highly Flowable Concrete , 1995, "SP-154: Advances in Concrete Technology - Proceeding Second CANMET/ ACI International Symposium - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA".

[19]  D. D. Molin,et al.  Carbonation-induced reinforcement corrosion in silica fume concrete , 2009 .

[20]  A. El-Dieb,et al.  Mechanical, durability and microstructural characteristics of ultra-high-strength self-compacting concrete incorporating steel fibers , 2009 .

[21]  Jagadish Vengala,et al.  Influence of powder and paste on flow properties of SCC , 2010 .

[22]  A. Nazari,et al.  Splitting tensile strength of concrete using ground granulated blast furnace slag and SiO2 nanoparticles as binder , 2011 .