Abstract
This research work focuses on the effect of micro-silica (MS) and the performance of pre-soaked superabsorbent polymer (SAP) on the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). In this work, the MS in different proportions of 5, 10 and 15% was used to replace the cement and the pre-absorbed SAP of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4% to the weight of cementitious material was added in concrete as an Internal Curing Agent (ICA). To assess the fresh properties like flowing, filling and passing abilities of SCC, the workability tests such as slump flow, V-funnel and L-box were carried out. Out of several trials, the mix with the addition of 0.3% SAP and replacement of 10% MS gave a positive response in all the examined properties of SCC. The durability tests on permeability properties like water absorption, sorptivity and rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT) of SCC at 28 days and 60 days were conducted. The shrinkage test and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) tests were also carried out on all the optimum mixes of SCC at 28 days and 60 days. Better development of calcium silicate gel was observed in the concrete mix that contains both MS and SAP. The results of all the experimental tests exhibit better performance of internally cured concrete containing MS in SCC even at later ages. This study suggests the potential use of pre-absorbed SAP in reducing the manual curing process and utilizing the waste materials effectively in concrete.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
Data are available within the article.
References
Le HT, Muller M, Siewert K, Ludwig HM (2015) The mix design for self-compacting high performance concrete containing various mineral admixtures. Mater Des 72:51–62
Esmaeilkhanian B, Khayat KH, Yahia A, Feys D (2014) Effects of mix design parameters and rheological properties on dynamic stability of selfconsolidating concrete. Cem Concr Compos 54:21–28
Jalal M, Teimortashlu E, Grasley Z (2019) Performance-based design and optimization of rheological and strength properties of self-compacting cement composite incorporating micro/ nano Admixtures. Compos Part B-Eng 163:497–510
Benhelal E, Zahedi G, Shamsaei E, Bahadori A (2013) Global strategies and potentials to curb CO2 emissions in cement industry. J Clean Prod 51:142–161
Said AM, Zeidan MS, Bassuoni MT, Tian Y (2012) Properties of concrete incorporating nano-silica. Constr Build Mater 36:838–844
Qing Y, Zenan Z, Deyu K, Rongshen C (2007) Influence of nano-SiO2 addition on properties of hardened cement paste as compared with silica fume. Constr Build Mater 21(3):539–545
Schmidt M, Amrhein K, Braun T, Glotzbach C, Kamaruddin S, Tänzer R (2013) Nanotechnological improvement of structural materials–impact on material performance and structural design. Cem Concr Compos 36:3–7
Vijayarethinam N (2009) Silica fume applications. World Cem 40:97–100
Ma XW, Liu JH, Wu ZM, Shi CJ (2017) Effects of SAP on the properties and pore structure of high performance cement-based materials. Constr Build Mater 131:476–484
Mechtcherine V (2016) Use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) as concrete additive. RILEM Tech Lett 1:81–87
Snoeck D, Jensen O, De Belie N (2015) The influence of superabsorbent polymers on the autogenous shrinkage properties of cement pastes with supplementary cementitious materials. Cem Concr Res 74:59–67
Mechtherine V, Gorges M, Schröfl C, Assmann A, Brameshuber W, Ribeiro A, Cusson D, Custodio J, Fonseca da Silva E, Ichimiya K, Igarashi S, Klemm A, Kovler K, Lopes A, Lura P, Nguyen V, Reinhardt H, Filho R, Weiss J, Wyrzykowski M, Ye G, Zhutovsky S (2014) Effect of internal curing by using superabsorbent polymers (SAP) on autogenous shrinkage and other properties of a high-performance fine-grained concrete: results of a RILEM round-robin test. Mater Struct 47(3):541–1532
Hasholt M, Jensen O, Kovler K, Zhutovsky S (2012) Can superabsorbent polymers mitigate autogenous shrinkage of internally cured concrete without compromising the strength? . Constr Build Mater 31:226–230
Hasholt M, Jespersen M, Jensen O (2010) Mechanical properties of concrete with SAP part I: development of compressive strength, in: International RILEM Conference on Use of Superabsorbent Polymers and Other New Additives in Concrete, LyngbyDenmark
Craeye B, Geirnaert M, De Schutter G (2011) Super absorbing polymers as an internal curing agent for mitigation of early-age cracking of high-performance concrete bridge decks. Constr Build Mater 25(1):1–13
Mignon A, Snoeck D, D’Halluin K, Balcaen L, Vanhaecke F, Dubruel P, Van Vlierberghe S, De Belie N (2016) Alginate biopolymers: counteracting the impact of superabsorbent polymers on mortar strength. Constr Build Mater 110:169–174
IS 15388 (2003) Silica Fume — Specification. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi
IS: 12269 (2013) Specification for 53 grade ordinary portland cement. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi
IS: 383 (2016) Specification for coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi
IS 2386-4 (2016) Specification for methods of test for aggregates for concrete. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi
Mechtcherine V, Snoeck D, Schröfl C, De Belie N, Klemm AJ, Ichimiya K, Moon J, Wyrzykowski M, Lura P, Toropovs N, Assmann A, Igarashi S, De La Varga I, Almeida FC, Erk R, Ribeiro K, Custódio AB, Reinhardt J, Falikman HWV (2018) Testing superabsorbent polymer (SAP) sorption properties prior to implementation in concrete: results of a RILEM Round-Robin Test. Mater Struct 51:28
EFNARC (European Federation of National Trade Associations) (2005) The European guidelines for self-compacting concrete. EFNARC Association, Farnham
IS 5816 (2004) Specification for splitting tensile strength of concrete method of test. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi
ASTM C642-13 (2013) Standard test method for density, absorption and voids in hardened concrete. ASTM Standards, West Conshohocken
Oliveria LAP, Gomes JPC, Pereira CNG (2006) Study of sorptivity of self-compacting concrete with mineral additives. J Civ Eng Manag 12(3):215–220
ASTM C1202-19 (2019) Standard test method for electrical indication of concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration. ASTM Standards, West Conshohocken
Morón C, Saiz P, Ferrández D, García-Fuentevilla L (2017) New system of shrinkage measurement through cement mortars drying. Sensors 17:522
Lee KM, Lee HK, Lee SH, Kim GY (2006) Autogenous shrinkage of concrete containing granulated blast-furnace slag. Cem Concr Res 36(7):1279–1285
Nandhini K, Ponmalar V (2020) Investigation on nano-silica blended cementitious systems on the workability and durability performance of elf-compacting concrete. Mater Express 10:10–20
Nandhini K, Ponmalar V (2020) Effect of bleeding micro and nano silica on the mechanical and durability properties of self-compacting concrete. Silicon. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-020-00475-5
Kong XM, Zhang ZL, Lu ZC (2015) Effect of pre-soaked superabsorbent ploymer on shrinkage of high-strength concrete. Mater Struct 48:2741–2758
Gesoğlu M, Güneyisi E, Asaad DS, Muhyaddin GF (2016) Properties of low binder ultra-high performance cementitious composites: comparison of nanosilica and microsilica. Constr Build Mater 102:706–713
Nandhini K, Ponmalar V (2018) Microstructural behaviour and flowing ability of self compacting concrete using micro-silica and nano-silica. Micro Nano Letters 13:1213–1218
Nandhini K, Ponmalar V (2018) Passing ability, water and chloride penetration of self-compacting concrete using micro-silica as cementitious replacement material. Revista Română de Materiale / Romanian Journal of Materials 48:362–368
Ma X, Zhang J, Liu J (2015) Review on superabsorbent polymer as internal curing agent of high performance cement-based material. Kuei Suan Jen Hsueh Pao/JChin Ceram Soc 43:1099–1110
Dang J, Zhao J, Du Z (2017) Effect of superabsorbent polymer on the properties of concrete. Polymers 9:672
Beushausen H, Gillmer M, Alexander M (2014) The influence of superabsorbent polymers on strength and durability properties of blended cement mortars. Cem Concr Compos 52:73–80
Kong XM, Zhang ZL (2012) Shrinkage-reducing mechanism of super-absorbent polymer in high-strength concrete. J Chin Ceram Soc 42:150–155
Hassan AA, Lachemi M, Hossain KM (2012) Effect of metakaolin and silica fume on the durability of self consolidating concrete. Cem Concr Compos 34:801–807
Jalal M, Mansouri E, Sharifipour M (2012) Mechanical, rheological, durability and microstructural properties of high performance self-compacting concrete containing SiO2 micro and nano-particles. Mater Des 34:389–400
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
Consent for Publication
Authors give our consent for this article to be published in Silicon.
Consent to Participate
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mohanraj, A., Senthilkumar, V. & Nandhini, K. Effect of Micro-silica on the Fresh and Hardened Properties of Self-compacting Concrete Containing Pre-absorbed Superabsorbent Polymer. Silicon 13, 3569–3581 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-020-00862-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-020-00862-y