The effect of sand ration on the properties of self-compacting concrete

Abstract

Fine aggregate is an important component of self-compacting concrete (SCC), in this study, the effect of sand ratio (fine aggregate weight/total aggregate weight ratio (FA/TA)) on the properties of SCC, namely initial slump flow and cohesiveness of fresh SCC, compressive strength, carbonation depth, chloride ion diffusion coefficient, and damage to SCC under drying–wetting cycles, is investigated. The test results show that the initial slump flow of fresh SCC increases and the consistency of SCC reduces with change in FA/TA ratio from 0·33 to 0·42. SCC with FA/TA ratio of 0·39 has the maximum compressive strength, lowest carbonation depth and lowest chloride ion diffusion coefficient. Moreover, when damage to SCC with various FA/TA ratios under drying–wetting cycles is evaluated, SCCs with various FA/TA ratios are found to have similar behaviour in terms of resistance to damage.