The influence of coarse aggregate type on mechanical properties of fly ash additive self-compacting concrete

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of coarse aggregates on fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). For this purpose, five different coarse aggregate types (basalt, marble, dolomite, limestone and sandstone) were used to produce SCC containing fly ash. The water to binder ratio is maintained at 0.33 for all mixtures. The examined properties include workability, abrasion, compressive strength, static and dynamic elastic moduli and ultrasonic pulse velocity. Workability of SCC was determined using slump-flow, T-50 time and V-funnel tests. The results show that it is possible to successfully utilize various types of coarse aggregates in producing SCC. The abrasion depths were within the range of 0.98-3.02 mm and mass losses were within the range of 0.71-3.24% after exposure to abrasion. The highest compressive strength values were measured in SCC mixture prepared with basalt aggregate while the lowest compressive strength values were noted in SCC mixture prepared with limestone aggregate at 28 d, 56 d and 90 d. Ultrasonic pulse velocity has increased by increasing compressive strength for all SCC mixtures. It was concluded that among the various types of coarse aggregates considered, the best performance has been obtained for the mixture containing basalt aggregate as hardened properties of SCC. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.