Evaluation of fresh and hardened properties of blended silica fume self-compacting concrete (SCC)

Recent technologies now investigate the use of materials that can serve as partial cement replacement and also impact on self-compacting ability in concrete mixtures. In this study, fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete containing silica fumes as partial replacement for cement were evaluated. Cement was replaced by silica fume in the extent of 15%, 25% and 35% by volume alongside the control mix (0%). The flow test, V-funnel test and L-box test were conducted on the fresh concrete. The compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption property and microstructural properties of the hardened concrete were determined. Utilisation of silica fume as partial cement replacement improved the fresh state properties of the concrete in the domain of the flow-ability. Higher partial replacement led to lesser compressive and flexural strength due to weak interfacial transition zone, the porosity of the mortar during adhesion to the fine and coarse aggregates. Rapid water absorption was observed after the first day of the concrete preparation which gradually tailed off with time.