The effect of sand ration on the properties of self-compacting concrete

Fine aggregate is an important component of self-compacting concrete (SCC), in this study, the effect of sand ratio (fine aggregate weight/total aggregate weight ratio (FA/TA)) on the properties of SCC, namely initial slump flow and cohesiveness of fresh SCC, compressive strength, carbonation depth, chloride ion diffusion coefficient, and damage to SCC under drying-wetting cycles, is investigated. The test results show that the initial slump flow of fresh SCC increases and the consistency of SCC reduces with change in FA/TA ratio from 0.33 to 0.42. SCC with FA/TA ratio of 0.39 has the maximum compressive strength, lowest carbonation depth and lowest chloride ion diffusion coefficient. Moreover, when damage to SCC with various FA/TA ratios under drying-wetting cycles is evaluated, SCCs with various FA/TA ratios are found to have similar behaviour in terms of resistance to damage.