Powder Materials and Their Effect on the Behaviour of Self-Compacting Concrete in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper discusses the effect of powders on the properties of self-compacting concrete. Fillers like kaolin, limestone, metakaolin and fly ash pozzolans are used by weight to prepare 17 different mixtures of mortar. In addition, four concrete mixes were made to study the effect of filler on shrinkage concrete mixes. From the series of experiments conducted, it has been found that 20% replacement of sand with limestone produces an enhanced strength and stability of the mix with low water absorption compared to the same water to powder ratio in the early stages. The combination of kaolin, primarily enhance the stability of mixture and fly ash enhance the rheology characteristics and hence the compressive strength. The replacement of 10% meta-kaolin provides a very high strength improvement compared to reference mix minimizing water absorption. The use of powders gave good workability and strength and thus would reduce of the use chemical admixtures and cement and consequently reduce the cost. The concrete mixes with fly ash and limestone powders gave better hardened properties with low cost compared to the reference mix.