INFLUENCE OF THE DEGREE OF FLAKINESS OF LOCAL

AGGREGATE ON THE PROPERTIES OF SELF-COMPACTING

CONCRETE
Manu Santhanam*, lIT Madras, India
P.J. Amal Raj, lIT Madras, India

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29th Conference on OUR WORLD IN CONCRETE & STRUCTURES: 25 - 26 August 2004, Singapore

INFLUENCE OF THE DEGREE OF FLAKINESS OF LOCAL

AGGREGATE ON THE PROPERTIES OF SELF-COMPACTING

CONCRETE

Manu Santhanam*, liT Madras, India

P.J. Amal Raj, liT Madras, India

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) offers numerous benefits that include easy

casting of congested reinforcement sections, minimization of hearing related
damages, reduction in time for casting, and enhanced a ppearance and hardened
properties of concrete. Researchers across the world have been able to produce
self-compacting concrete with the locally available aggregate. Although there have
been a number of studies on the effect of coarse aggregate content on the flow
behaviour of SCC, enough attention has not been paid to quantify the effect of the
shape of the aggregate. Aggregates constitute the bulk of a concrete mixture, and
are responsible for the dimensional stability of concrete. Among the important
aggregate characteristics are the shape and gradation of aggregate. In the case of
see, the aggregate shape may be expected to playa major role. For example,
perfectly rounded aggregates would provide a better flowability and lesser blocking
potential for a given water to powder ratio, as compared to angular and semi
rounded aggregates. Moreover, the presence of flaky and elongated particles can be
expected to give rise to blocking problems in confined areas. It is also possible that
the highly flowable nature of see could make it tolerate a higher proportion of flaky
aggregates compared to normal concrete. This paper presents the results of
laboratory investigations performed with a number of samples of coarse aggregates
with differing amounts of flaky particles. Results indicate that it is possible to
incorporate a relatively high degree of flaky particles in sec. It was possible in this
study top roduce sec with good fresh and hardened properties with as much as
25% flaky aggregate.
Keywords: Self-compacting, flaky aggregate, flowability, blocking
1. Introduction
Aggregates constitute the bulk of a concrete mixture, and give dimensional stability to concrete.
Among the various properties of aggregate, the important ones for see are the shape and gradation.

455

Many researchers have been able to produce self-compacting concrete with locally available
aggregate. It is observed from these studies that self-compactability is achievable at lower cement (or
fines) content when rounded aggregates are used, as compared to angular aggregates. Although
there have been several studies on the effect of coarse aggregate content on the flow behaviour of
1
see 2 .3 , enough attention has not been paid to quantify the effect of the shape of the aggregate.
In the case of see, rounded aggregates would provide a better f10wability and less blocking
potential for a given water-to-powder ratio, compared to angular and semi-rounded aggregates.
Moreover, the presence of flaky and elongated particles may give rise to blocking problems in
confined areas, and also increase the minimum yield stress (as depicted in Figure 1). Incorporation of
aggregate shape in the mixture design would enable the selection of appropriate paste content
required to overcome these difficulties. It is possible that the highly f10wable nature of see could
allow a higher proportion of flaky aggregates compared to normal concrete. However, this aspect
needs to be checked .

Flow behaviour in the presence of

flaky and elongated particles - could

Conventlonal flow behaviour

increase yield stress

Conventional blocking
due to 'arch' formation

Risk ofblocking could

increase in the presence
offlaky and elongated
particles

Figure 1. Possible scenarios with flaky and elongated aggregates

In this study, an attempt was made to quantify the effect of increasing the proportion of flaky
particles in a coarse aggregate sample used for producing self-compacting concrete. see mixtures
with coarse aggregates having different levels of flakiness were prepared and evaluated with respect
to slump flow (total spread as well as T 50 - time to spread 500 mm) and U-box test methods. A
4
description of these test methods is available elsewhere , and the specifications for see performance
s
in these tests is given by EFNARe . As per these specifications, the acceptable slump flow range for
see is 600 - 750 mm, while the T50 is 2 - 4 sec, and the difference in the levels of the two limbs of
the U-box should be less than 30 mm.

456

2. Materials and experimental methods

53 grade cement conforming to IS:12269 6 was used for the study. Apart from cement, limestone
powder (of cement fineness) was used for all the mixtures as a mineral admixture. The specific gravity
of limestone powder was 2 .6. Locally available coarse and fine aggregates were used . River sand
with a fineness modulus of 2.3 and a specific gravity of 2.63 was used as fine aggregate.
Crushed granite of maximum size 12.5 mm and specific gravity of 2.9 was used as coarse
aggregate. The sample of coarse aggregate was sieved and only the portion between 12.5 mm and
6.3 mm was used . The portion below 6.3 mm was discarded because of the large quantity of dust.
The portion between 12.5 and 10 mm was then separated into flaky and non-flaky particles as per the
standard test for flakiness according to IS 2386 (Part 1)7. The three samples of aggregate (12.5 - 10
mm non-flaky, 12.5 - 10 mm flaky, and 10 - 6.3 mm) were then combined in the proportions given in
Table 1. It should be stated here that the portion of coarse aggregate between 10 and 6.3 mm was
assumed to be completely free of flaky particles. The overall mixture design, presented in Table 2,
was similar for all mixtures.
Table 1. Coarse aggregate proportioning for SCC mixtures (quantities in kg/m
Designation
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9

12.5 -10 mm
Non-flaky
244
219
207
183
152
98
79
49
0

12.5-10 mm
Flaky
0
25
37
61
92
146
165
195
244

10-6.3 mm
431
431
431
431
431
431
431
431
431

Flakiness
Index (%)
0
3.70
5.50
9.03
13.70
21.63
24.50
28.89
36.15

Table 2. Mixture design

Quantity (kg/m")
Ingredient
Cement
360
Limestone powder
290
Fine aggregate
825
Coarse aggregate
675
220
Water
Superplasticizer
3.6
(Polycarboxylate ether)
Viscosity modifier
0.07
(Diutan gum)
.C>
3
Note: Paste volume = 450 htres/m , Aggregate volume = 550 htres/m
The dry ingredients (cement, limestone powder, and aggregate) were mixed in a pan-type
mixer for 30 sec, after which period water (mixed with the superplasticizer) was added to the mixer.
Mixing was continued for 2 min, and then the viscosity modifier was added to the mixer. After 2 more
minutes of mixing , concrete was discharged from the mixer and used for testing.
Slump flow (total spread as well as T50 - time to spread 50 cm) test and U-box test were
conducted, following which three 15 cm cube specimens were prepared for testing of the 1 day
compressive strength (as per IS 516\
3. Results and discussion
The results of all tests are presented in Table 3. It is evident from this table that although the slump
flow (both in terms 0 f total spread and T 50) iss atisfactory, the presence 0 f excess flaky particles

457

seems to affect the passing ability of the see, as measured using the U-box test. The 1-day
compressive strengths for all mixtures are similar, with values ranging between 10.9 and 13.1 MPa.
Table 3. Measurements of see properties
Mixture No.

M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
Note. As
mm, T50

U-Box
1 day
compressive
Difference
(mm)
strength (MPa)
720
3
13.1
0
5
3.70
12.2
725
3
8
2
5.50
750
16
10.9
735
3
15
11.2
9.03
2
13.70
750
15
11.8
21.63
4
16
11.5
680
2
12.3
24.50
750
52
740
2
260
12.2
28.89
2
306
12.2
36.15
720
per EFNARe.::> , satisfactory performance of see IS Indicated by a slump flow of 600 - 750
of 2 - 4 sec, and U-Box difference in levels of less than 30 mm
Flakiness
index (%)

Slump flow
(mm)

T50 (sec)

The results in Table 3 indicate that an increase in blocking due to flaky particles possibly
occurs, leading to failure in the U-box test. On the other hand, the yield stress and viscosity of the
mixture (indicated indirectly by the slump flow and T50 values) are not adversely affected by
excessive flaky particles. Theoretically, yield stress is dependent mainly on the intergranular friction,
which in turns depends on the quantity and shape of coarse aggregate. Rounded aggregates result in
lower friction as compared to angular aggregate. However, within angular aggregates, the presence of
flaky particles possibly does not contribute to an increase in the friction. The viscosity is more a
function of the paste composition and overall volume fraction of aggregate, both of which are constant
for the mixtures investigated. Hence, there is not much of an effect on the T50 values.
In the case of the U-Box test, however, the property of see being measured is its ability to
pass around an obstacle. In the apparatus used, the obstacle was simulated by 10 mm diameter
reinforcing bars paced at 30 mm clear spacing. As discussed earlier, aggregates have a tendency to
form an arch around obstacles. This tendency is possibly increased in the presence of excess flaky
particles, causing a large difference in levels in the test. Figure 2 shows a plot 0 f t he variation 0 f
difference in levels with the flakiness index of the see mixtures. The dashed line (30 mm difference)
indicates passing criteria for see. It can be observed that it is possible to produce satisfactory see
with as much as 23 - 25% f laky a ggregate. In 0 rder to produce see with larger amounts of flaky
particles, studies on the optimal paste content need to be conducted.
3aI

:m

I25l
1/1

Qi

ii200

...j

.E
<II

g151

100
)(

III

::,

5)

Fall

Pass
0
0

10

15

20
Flakiness IndlK ('/~

25

35

Figure 2. Variation in U-box results for different flakiness indices

458

Conclusions

Excessive flakiness in coarse aggregate does not affect the flowability of SCC; satisfactory
performance was observed in the slump flow and T50 tests for SCC mixtures with flakiness
indices ranging between 0 and 36%.
Beyond a value of around 23 - 25 %, increasing the amount of flaky particles caused excessive
blocking to occur, leading to failure in the U-Box test. Thus, the passing ability of SCC is affected
by the presence of excessive flakiness .
The results from this investigation indicate that it is possible to produce satisfactory SCC (at the
given paste volume) using coarse aggregate with as much as 23 - 25 % of flaky particles .
Acknowledgments

The assistance of Ms. K. R. Mohanapriya from NIT Tiruchirapalli in conducting the laboratory work is
greatly appreciated . Support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India,
under the Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientists (No. SRiFTP/ETA-14/2002) is gratefully
acknowledged .
References

1. N. Mishima, Y. Tanigawa, H. Mori, Y. Kurokawa, K. Terada, and T. Hattori, "Study on

Influence 0 f Aggregate Particle on Rheological Property of Fresh Concrete," Journal of the
Society of Materials Science, Japan, Vol. 48, No. 8, 1999, pp . 858 - 863 .
2. Y. Kurokawa, Y. Tanigawa, H. Mori, and K. Nishinosono, "Analytical Study on Effect of
Volume Fraction of Coarse Aggregate on Bingham's Constants of Fresh Concrete,"
Transactions of the Japan Concrete Institute, Vol. 18, 1996, pp. 37 - 44.
3. S. Grunewald and J. C. Walraven, "Parameter-Study on the Influence of Steel Fibres and
Coarse Aggregate Content on the Fresh Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete," Cement
and Concrete Research, Vol. 31, No. 12,2001, pp . 1793 - 1798.
4. A. Skarendahl and O. Petersson, "State of the Art Report of RILEM Technical Committee
174-SCC, Self-Compacting Concrete," Paris, RILEM Publications S.A.R.L, 2000 , 154 p.
5. EFNARC: Specifications and Guidelines for SCC, EFNARC, Hampshire, UK, 2001, 29 pp.
6. Indian Standard Designation IS12269-1987, "Specification for 53 Grade Ordinary Portland
Cement," Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, 2003.
7. Indian Standard Designation IS2386-Partl: 1963, "Methods of Test for Aggregates for
Concrete - Part I: Particle Size and Shape," Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, 2003 .
8. Indian Standard Designation IS516: 1959, "Methods of Test for Strength of Concrete," Bureau
of Indian Standards, New Delhi, 2003.

459