CHAPTER - III

MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND MIX PROPORTIONS

3.1 General
The present work is the combination of fly ash and fibers in selfcompacting concrete. Research has been carried out till date either on fiber
reinforced concrete or on fly ash based concrete. In the present investigation
work has been done incorporating both fly ash and fibers in self-compacting
concrete. In addition super-plasticizer and VMA were used as admixtures to
obtain concrete with desired properties. A brief note on the materials used for
making SFR-SCC is presented in the following articles.

3.2 Cement
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) of 53 grade confirming to IS: 12269
1987 was used for the present experimental investigation. It was tested for its
physical properties like Normal Consistency, Specific gravity, Initial and final
setting time, soundness, Fineness, and compressive strength in accordance with
IS:4031-1988. It was procured from a single source and stored as per IS: 40821977. The details of properties of the cement are reported in Table 3.1

3.3 Fine aggregate

Clean river sand conforming to IS 383:1970 was used. The physical
properties such as Fineness Modulus, Specific gravity, Bulking, Bulk density etc.

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were investigated in accordance with IS 2386:1963. The sand used was surface
dried before use. The details of tests are reported in Table 3.2 and Table 3.3.
(Weight of Fine Aggregate Taken: 1000gms)
Fineness Modulus = Cumulative Percentage Retained / 100
= 293.20 / 100
= 2.932

3.4 Coarse aggregate

Crushed granite coarse aggregate of particle size passing through 10mm
and retained on 4.75mm sieve having rounded shape and confirming to IS:
2386 1963 was used for the present investigation. The properties of the Coarse
Aggregate (CA) used are reported in Table 3.4 and Table 3.5.
(Weight of Coarse Aggregate Taken: 5000gms)
Fineness Modulus = Cumulative Percentage Retained / 100
= 604.80 / 100
= 6.048

3.5 Water
Potable tap water free from any injurious amounts of oils, acids, alkalies,
sugar, salts and organic materials available in the laboratory with PH value of
7.01 and confirming to the requirements of IS: 456 -2000 was used for mixing
concrete and curing the specimens as well. The properties of the water used are
reported in Table 3.6

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3.6 Fly ash

The fly ash obtained from Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS),
Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh state confirming to IS: 3812 1981 was used
in the present investigation. The properties of the fly ash used are reported in
tables from Table 3.7 to Table 3.9.

3.7 Steel fibers

Binding wire commercially available in the local market was used as fiber
in the present investigation. The diameter of the wire was found to be o.925mm
and a constant aspect ratio of 40 was used throughout the work. The properties
of fibers used for making SFR-SCC are reported in Table 3.10. The strength of
fibers is approximately 960 N/mm2.

3.8 Super Plasticizer (SP)

Description:
GLENIUM B233 is an admixture of a new generation, based on modified
polycarboxylic ether. The product has been primarily developed for applications
in high performance concrete where the highest durability and performance is
required. GLENIUM B233 is free of chloride & low alkali. It is compatible with all
types of cements.
Uses:

Production of Rheodynamic concrete

High performance concrete for durability

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High early and ultimate strength concrete

High workability without segregation or bleeding

Precast & Pre-stressed concrete

Concrete containing Pozzolanas such as microsilica, GGBFS, PFA

including high volume fly ash concrete

GLENIUM B233 has a different chemical structure from the traditional

superplasticisers. It consists of a carboxylic ether polymer with long side chains.
At the beginning of the mixing process it initiates the same electrostatic
dispersion mechanism as the traditional superplasticisers, but the side chains
linked to the polymer backbone generates a steric hindrance which greatly
stabilizes the cement particles ability to separate and disperse. Steric hindrance
provides a physical barrier (alongside the electrostatic barrier) between the
cement grains. With this process, flow-able concrete with greatly reduced water
content is obtained. The modified polycarboxylic ether based super plasticizer
which is yellowish in color and free flowing liquid with relative density 1.090.01
at 250 C, PH value as 7.01 and chloride ion content less than 0.2% was used as
super plasticizer.
Direction for use:
GLENIUM B233 is a ready to use liquid which is dispensed into the
concrete together with the mixing water. The plasticizing effect and water
reduction are higher if the admixture is added to the damp concrete after 50 to
70% of the mixing water has been added. The addition of GLENIUM B233 to dry
aggregate or cement is not recommended. Automatic dispensers are available.

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Thorough mixing is essential and a minimum mixing cycle, after the addition of
the GLENIUM B233, of 60 seconds for forced action mixers is recommended.

3.9 Viscosity Modifying Admixture (VMA)

GLENIUM STREAM 2 is a premier ready-to-use, liquid, organic, viscositymodifying admixture (VMA) specially developed for producing concrete with
enhanced viscosity and controlled rheological properties. Concrete containing
GLENIUM STREAM 2 admixture exhibits superior stability and controlled
bleeding characteristics, thus increasing resistance to segregation and facilitating
placement.
Mechanism of action:
GLENIUM STREAM 2 consists of a mixture of water soluble copolymers
which is adsorbed onto the surface of the cement granules, thereby changing the
viscosity of the water and influencing the rheological properties of the mix.
GLENIUM STREAM 2 is chloride-free and compatible with all cements. It
is incompatible for use with naphthalene sulphonate based superplasticiser
admixtures.
Directions for use:
GLENIUM STREAM 2 is a ready to use liquid admixture, which should be
added to the concrete after all the other components of the mix. This is
particularly important in order to obtain maximum efficacy.

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GLENIUM STREAM 2 admixture has little to no effect on concrete setting

time, slump retention, air content and compressive strength within the
recommended dosage rate.
A viscosity modifying admixture which is colorless free flowing liquid
having specific gravity of 1.010.01 at 25 degree Celsius, PH value as 8.01 and
chloride content nil was used as viscosity modifying agent.

3.10 Mix proportions

The following European guide lines were adopted for SCC mix design.
1. Water:

150 210 litres

2. Cement:

350 450 kg.

3. Powder:

360 650 kg.

4. Water/Powder (ratio):

0.28 0.50

5. Coarse Aggregate:

750 1000 kg

6. Fine Aggregate:

48 55% of total aggregate weight

7. Fly ash:

20 50% of powder weight

Mix proportions for different grades of SCC were arrived based on these
guide lines and same are presented in Table 3.11. Specimen calculations for
M35 grade SCC is given in Appendix I.

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