Representing a logical grading zone for self-consolidating concrete

For an aggregate source with certain geometrical characteristics, grading can highly affect the properties of self-consolidating concrete (SCC). This paper basically focuses on the effect of using different aggregates grading on the properties of SCC. For this purpose twelve aggregate proportions with three different cement contents (450, 500 and 550), three different water-to-cement ratios (0.35, 0.4 and 0.45) and either poly-carboxylate based super-plasticizer as admixture were used. In order to examine fresh concrete properties, slump flow, U-box, L-box and V-funnel tests were carried out; for achieving hardened properties of SCC, tests were limited to compressive strength. The principal objective of this survey is to determine an acceptable aggregates grading zone which can be used in production of SCC with ideal properties. From the experimental consequences, it is observed that aggregate proportions in this zone, will result a SCC with appropriate workability and compressive strength. The optimum curves could be selected with Cu values more than 9.5. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.