Thermal Gradient in Self Compacting Concrete—An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

The temperature differential between top and bottom of concrete pavement develops curling stresses in the pavement slab. These stresses are tensile in nature and together with wheel loads influence the performance of concrete pavements. The thermal performance of concrete is influenced by the thermal properties of cement paste and aggregates. Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a widely used High Performance Concrete (HPC) in major infrastructure projects. It is characterized by high powder content, reduced coarse aggregate content, lower water cement ratio and use of High Range Water Reducing (HRWR) admixtures. An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the development of thermal gradient in SCC using manufactured sand with pozzolan addition (flyash as cement replacement) and perlite (insulating material as fine aggregate replacement). This paper present the findings of the study undertaken.