The effect of segregation on transport and durability properties of self consolidating concrete

Abstract

Considerable effort has been placed on the development of reliable and practical tests to reflect segregation behavior because it is a critical property for successful application of self-consolidating concrete (SCC). This investigation examines segregation performance measured based on the column method, visual stability index and V-funnel (t 5-t 0) tests and assesses their correlation to mortar band thickness, compressive strength, rapid chloride permeability, initial sorptivity coefficient, freeze-thaw and salt scaling performance. The primary outcomes from this study reveal that: (i) freeze-thaw resistance of the studied SCC mixtures is controlled by air entrainment irrespective of the extent of segregation; (ii) a wide range of mortar band thicknesses occurs at the specified acceptable segregation limit; (iii) accurate mortar band analysis using digital images requires strong contrast and brightness at the aggregate-paste boundary, and an experimental approach for sample preparation and analysis is proposed; and (iv) the correlation between mortar band thickness, sorptivity and salt scaling mass loss is directly proportional. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.