Evaluation of Rheological Behavior of HPSCC

Containing SRA and Expansive Admixture

Ronaldo Pilar 1, Rudiele Aparecida Schankoski 1, Wellington Longuini Repette 1,

Raissa Douglas Ferron 2
1
Federal University of Santa Catarina - Brazil
2
The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract: In this paper, shrinkage-reducing admixture (SRA) and expansive

admixture (EXA) were used to design high performance self-compacting concrete
(HPSCC). In order to evaluate rheological behavior of mixtures, fresh properties of
concretes were determined by ICAR rheometer at 10, 25, 40, 60 and 90 min.
Simultaneously, the slump flow test at 10 and 100 min, V-funnel test and J-Ring test
were also carried out. Empirical test results showed that all mixtures had similar
performance, independent of SRA and EXA content at 10 minutes. However, slump
flow diameter shows a reduction of up to 23.6% of its diameter at 100 min for
mixtures with EXA. Concretes designed with SRA and EXA showed lower plastic
viscosity and higher dynamic yield stress than the reference mixture mainly after 40
min. Mixtures with SRA and EXA required a higher dosage of superplasticizer than
the reference mixture to achieve similar slump flow diameter.

Keywords: Shrinkage-reducing admixture (SRA); Expansive admixture (EXA);

Rheological behavior; High performance self-compacting concrete

Introduction
High performance self-compacting concrete (HPSCC) is a type of concrete that has
been developed to exhibit great flow ability and stability of mixture and, at same
time, high strength and excellent durability [1,2]. However, in many cases, high
amounts of Portland cement, superplasticizers, and mineral admixtures, and low
water/binder ratios are used to design these mixtures. Thus, the HPSCC has low
porosity and discontinuous and small diameter capillary pore structure of the paste
[3,4]. Consequently, HPSCC has potential to present autogenous deformation,
mainly at early ages, by chemical and self-desiccation shrinkage [4,5]. To avoid
these problems shrinkage-reducing admixtures (SRA) or expansive admixtures

203
K.H. Khayat, SCC 2016 - 8th International RILEM
Symposium on Self-Compacting Concrete,
ISBN: 978-2-35158-156-8 © RILEM 2016
204 Ronaldo Pilar, Rudiele Aparecida Schankoski, Wellington Longuini Repette et al.

(EXA) can be used. Although effective in hardened concrete, little is known about
fresh mixtures containing these admixtures.

Measurement of workability are essential to guarantee a good quality of concrete

[6]. In this way, rheology is used as a tool to accurately describe the workability of
self-compacting concrete. Rheological behavior is the scientific description of the
flow properties of cement-based [7]. Thus, understanding the influence of the
presence of SRA and EXA in fresh concrete is fundamental. They can affect mixing,
handling, transportation, pumping, casting, and consolidation of concrete. In
addition to the hardened concrete properties such as strength and durability, the
facility which HPSCC is processed is an extremely important aspect of its successful
use [6].

The most commonly used rheological model to describe the flow behavior of fresh
cementitious material is the Bingham model [8–10], as shown in Eqn (1), where, τ
is shear stress (Pa); τ0 is the yield stress (Pa); γ is the shear rate (1/s); and 𝜇 is the
plastic viscosity (Pa.s). The Bingham curves do not cross through the origin,
although above the yield stress the increment in shear stress is proportional to the
increment in shear rate [6].

𝜏 = 𝜏0 + µ𝛾 (1)

Given the above, in this paper only fresh HPSCC mixed with a shrinkage reducing
admixture and an expansive admixture were evaluated. For the present study,
concrete rheometer ICAR and empirical tests for self-compacting concrete (slump
flow, V-funnel, J-ring) measurements were carried out. The second part will be an
analysis about hardened properties of these concretes.

Experimental Program
Materials

Portland cement CP V (PC), according to Brazilian normalization NBR 5733/91 [11]

(similar to type III - ASTM C150), was used in all of the mixtures. A commercially
available Type F polycarboxylate superplasticizer (SP) was used, conforming to
ASTM C 494 [12]. The solid concentration of the admixture was reported by the
manufacturer to be 30%. In order to reduce the autogenous strain, a hexylene glycol
based shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) and a calcium sulfoaluminate based
expansive admixture (EXA) were studied. This EXA is classified as expansive
hydraulic cement Type K [13]. The physical properties of materials used in this study
are presented in Table I.
Evaluation of Rheological Behavior of HPSCC Containing SRA and EA 205

Table I. Physical properties of the materials.

Portland Fine Coarse

Material SP SRA EXA
cement aggregate aggregate
Specific gravity 3.09 0.91 0.92 3.09 2.62 2.64
Specific surface
407 - - 374 - -
area (m2/kg)

Concrete mixture proportions

To evaluate the rheological behavior of HPSCC containing SRA and EXA, 7 mix
proportions were designed. All the concretes were designed with the same volume
of cement paste (450 ± 1 l/m3), fine aggregate (195 ± 1 l/m3), and coarse aggregate
(350 ± 1 l/m3). The binder was a composition, by mass, of 5% silica fume (SF) and
95% Portland cement. The mixtures were designed with a w/b of 0.32. Three
different dosages of SRA (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) and EXA (5%, 10%, and 15%)
were used. The percentage of the admixtures are given by Portland cement mass.
The SRA was added as a partial replacement of the mixing water. The dosages of
the EXA was as a partial replacement of the total Portland cement. To achieve a
slump flow between 65 and 70 cm, different superplasticizer contents were added.
The summary of mixture proportions is listed in Table II.

Table II. Mixture proportions of the HPSCC.

Fine Coarse
w/b Cement SF Water SP SRA EXA
Concrete ID aggregate aggregate
(kg/m3)
REF 0.32 666.8 35.0 510.9 924.0 221.4 4.55 - -
SRA32-0.5 0.32 666.8 35.0 510.9 924.0 215.5 7.84 3.33 -
SRA32-1.0 0.32 666.8 35.0 510.9 924.0 212.5 6.91 6.67 -
SRA32-1.5 0.32 666.8 35.0 510.9 924.0 209.3 6.29 10.00 -
EXA32-5 0.32 633.5 35.0 510.9 924.0 221.2 4.89 - 33.3
EXA32-10 0.32 600.1 35.0 510.9 924.0 218.2 9.04 - 66.7
EXA32-15 0.32 566.8 35.0 510.9 924.0 218.2 9.16 - 100.0

Mixing and tests performed

The solid materials were dry mixed for about 30 s inside of the mixer. Then, after
dissolving the SP and SRA in water, when present in the mixture, they were added
to the mixer. All concretes were mixed for 5 min and kept 3 min for resting, then
again mixed for more 1 ½ min. After 10 minutes of addition of the water, the slump
flow diameter, J-ring diameter and V-funnel flow time tests were conducted
simultaneously, with regard to ASTM C1611 [14], ASTM C 1621 [15], and
EFNARC [16], respectively. The slump flow test is used to monitor the consistency
of fresh self-compacting concrete and its unconfined flow potential [14]. Slump flow
value is the primary check that the fresh concrete consistence meets the specification
206 Ronaldo Pilar, Rudiele Aparecida Schankoski, Wellington Longuini Repette et al.

[16]. The J-ring is a strong contender for the evaluation of passing ability of self-
compacting concretes [15]. HPSCC’s viscosity can be assessed by V-funnel flow
time. Although the direct viscosity cannot be measured, the time value is related by
describing the flow rate [16].

The ICAR rheometer with four blades-vane with a diameter, d, of 127 mm and
height, h, of 127 mm was used to measure the rheology behavior of HPSCC. Fresh
HPSCCs was poured up to a height of 280 mm into a 300 diameter container. Each
concrete sample was pre-conditioned with a pre-shear of 0.5 rps for a breakdown
period of 20 s. Torque measurements were then recorded for seven speeds in
descending order every 5 s, ranging from 0.5 to 0.05 rps. Flow curves (torque and
rotational velocity) were obtained at 10, 25, 40, 60 and 90 min. The data for each
time was fitted to a linear equation using ordinary least square regression to
determine a slope and an intercept, Eqn. (2). Where, G is the point of intersection of
the line with the torque axis (Nm) related to dynamic yield stress; H represents the
slope of the line (Nm.s), and is related to plastic viscosity; T is the torque; N is
rotational speed [7, 17]. The term yield stress according to the Bingham model (Eqn.
(1)) is referred to subsequently as the dynamic yield stress, since this material
parameter is only correctly characterized when the material is at steady state in the
range of the evaluated shear rate interval [18].

𝑇 = 𝐺 + 𝐻𝑁 (2)

To determine the plastic viscosity (Pa.s) and yield stress (Pa), Reiner-Riwlin
equation for Bingham materials can be used as follows below, Eqns. (3) and (4) [7,
19]. It does not provide a point-to-point transformation, but it expresses the obtained
relation in fundamental units, where h is height of the cylinder submerged in the
concrete (m), R1 is the vane radius (m), R0 is the outer container radius (m) [20].

𝐺 1 1 1
𝜏0 = 4𝜋ℎ (𝑅2 − 𝑅2 ) 𝑅
(3)
𝑖 0 𝑙𝑛( 0 )
𝑅𝑖

𝐻 1 1
𝜇= ( − ) (4)
8𝜋2 ℎ 𝑅𝑖2 𝑅02

The measurements for fresh concretes were performed without repetition. However,
for selected fresh concretes three measurements of rheological parameters were
carried out. The maximum average relative standard deviation for yield value and
plastic viscosity of concretes were of 6 % and 7.5 %, respectively.

Results and Discussion

Evaluation of Rheological Behavior of HPSCC Containing SRA and EA 207

As seen in Table II, the superplasticizer content changed for each HPSCC produced
to achieve the target the slump flow value - between 65 and 70 cm. The reference
HPSCC demanded less superplasticizer content. On the other hand, mixtures
EXA32-10 and EXA32-15 demanded higher amounts. Figure 1 shows the results of
the V-funnel test and superplasticizer content. V-funnel flow time were between 5
and 6.5 s for all mixtures. These results can mean good filling ability even with
congested reinforcement [16]. The slump flow diameter at 10 and 100 min and J-
Ring for all the concrete batches are presented in Figure 2. In general, empirical test
results showed that all mixtures had similar performance, independent of SRA and
EXA content at 10 minutes. However, the slump flow shows a reduction of up to
23.6% of its diameter at 100 min for mixtures with EXA, which is higher than the
observed in the reference and SRA mixtures. The difference between slump flow
and J-Ring flow results were between 4 and 6 cm. This result can represent
noticeable blocking which mean a low passing ability of mixtures [15], even though
the J-Ring values are acceptable for HPSCC [21-23].

12 12
Superplasticizer V-Funnel
10 10

V-funnel (s)
8 8
SP amont (kg/m3)

6 6
4 4
2 2
0 0
0.5 % 1.0 % 1.5 % 5 % 10 % 15 %
SRA EXA REF
Figure 1. Variation of SP amount and V-funnel time of HPSCC with SRA, EXA
and Reference.

80 8,0
Slump Flow Slump Flow - 100 min J-Ring
70
Slump flow (cm)

6,0
J-ring (cm)

60
4,0
50
40 2,0

30 0,0
0.5 % 1.0 % 1.5 % 5 % 10 % 15 %
SRA EXA REF

Figure 2. Variation of slump flow diameter with 10 and 100 min and J-Ring of
HPSCC with SRA, EXA and Reference.
208 Ronaldo Pilar, Rudiele Aparecida Schankoski, Wellington Longuini Repette et al.

The torque (Nm) and rotational speed (rev/s) obtained from the rheometer for all
mixtures studied are presented in Figure 3 a-g. It can be observed that the concretes
showed conform to the Bingham model. Figure 4a-d show the development of the
dynamic yield stress (Pa) and plastic viscosity (Pa.s) with time after mixing, obtained
by Eqns (3) and (4). The results at 10 min show the same direction as the empirical
results, consequently, similar rheological behavior. In other words, all the mixtures
indicate similar dynamic yield stress ranging from 7 to 13 Pa and plastic viscosity
between 8 and 27 Pa.s. In general, this behavior can happen by a high
superplasticizer dosage. Similar behavior has been observed when superplasticizer
dosage close to its saturation level is used in concrete [24].

The similarity in rheological behavior at 10 min of mixtures with EXA and SRA can
be explained by the lack of time for the chemical reactions to occur between EXA
and water, which produce ettringite and calcium hydroxide, decreasing free water
[25]. However, these mixtures revealed a gradual increase of dynamic yield stress
and of plastic viscosity over time, resulted of the chemical reactions involving EXA
mentioned above. This behavior is similar to that observed slump flow diameter test
at 100 minutes. The decreases of slump flow value between at 10 and 100 min for
mixtures EXA32-5, EXA32-10 and EXA32-15 were of 18.6, 18.6 and 23.6%,
respectively. In contrast with EXA, SRA does not consume water, it only reduces
the surface tension of the pores solution [26]. This can be an explanation for the
lesser variation of rheological properties shown between mixtures with SRA.
Although, in some cases, the use of SRA has shown an increase of initial setting time
of concrete [27].

Concretes designed with SRA and EXA showed lower plastic viscosity than the
reference mixture up to 90 min. The opposite was observed for dynamic yield stress
after 40 min. In general, the mixtures with SRA have not shown high variation in
rheological behavior with elapsed time. The opposite was observed to concrete with
EXA.

Thus, the results suggest that the SRA can possibly be added together with EXA for
reduced slump flow loss. Likewise, a hydration stabilizer agent can be used.
Nevertheless, it is important to pay a special attention about setting time of the
mixtures. The reference mixture showed a high increase of plastic viscosity over
time, while its dynamic yield stress was relatively stable, below 12 Pa. This behavior
can be due to the lower superplasticizer content used and, consequently, the
progressive hydration of cement, resulting in an increase in the solid volume
concentration.
Evaluation of Rheological Behavior of HPSCC Containing SRA and EA 209

3,0
10 min 25 min
2,4 40 min 60 min
Torque (Nm)
90 min
1,8
1,2
0,6
0,0
0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6
(a)
3,0 3,0
10 min 25 min 10 min 25 min
2,4 40 min 60 min 2,4 40 min 60 min
Torque (Nm)

90 min 90 min
1,8 1,8
1,2 1,2
0,6 0,6
0,0 0,0
0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6
(b) (c)
3,0 3,0
10 min 25 min 10 min 25 min
2,4 40 min 60 min 2,4 40 min 60 min
Torque (N.m)

90 min 90 min
1,8 1,8
1,2 1,2
0,6 0,6
0,0 0,0
0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6
(d) (e)
3,0 3,0
10 min 25 min 10 min 25 min
2,4 40 min 60 min 2,4 40 min 60 min
Torque (N.m)

90 min 90 min
1,8 1,8
1,2 1,2
0,6 0,6
0,0 0,0
0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6
Speed (rps) Speed (rps)
(f) (g)

Figure 3. Torque versus rotational speed obtained from the rheometer for the
reference concrete (a), mixtures with SRA 0.5% (b), 1.0% (d) and 1.5% (f); EXA
5% (c), 10% (e) and 15% (g).
210 Ronaldo Pilar, Rudiele Aparecida Schankoski, Wellington Longuini Repette et al.

21 SRA32-0.5 SRA32-1.0 21 EXA32-5 EXA32-10

SRA32-1.5 REF EXA32-15 REF

Yield stress (Pa)

18 18
15 15
12 12
9 9
6 6
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100

100 SRA32-0.5 SRA32-1.0 100 EXA32-5 EXA32-10

SRA32-1.5 REF EXA32-15 REF
Viscosity (Pa.s) 80 80
60 60
40 40
20 20
0 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100
Time (min) Time (min)

Figure 4. Development with time after mixing of dynamic yield stress and plastic
viscosity for mixtures with SRA
(0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%), EXA (5, 10 and 15%), and reference mixture.

Conclusions
This paper demonstrated that high performance self-compacting concrete ought to
be designed with SRA and EXA without major damage to the rheological properties
of mixtures. This was possible by the high dosage of superplasticizer used to reach
the target slump flow diameter predetermined. The mixtures EXA32-10 and EXA32-
15 required the highest dosages of superplasticizer. These mixtures showed a
gradual increase of dynamic yield stress, plastic viscosity, and a slump flow loss
over time. The addition of SRA in HPSCC had little influence in the rheological
behavior of mixtures over time. The reference mixture showed a high increase of
plastic viscosity over time, while its dynamic yield stress was relatively stable. This
behavior can be attributed to the lower superplasticizer content used in relation the
other mixtures studied.

Acknowledgements
CAPES: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. Ministério
da Educação – Brazil.
Evaluation of Rheological Behavior of HPSCC Containing SRA and EA 211

99999.008308/2014-04 and 99999.008307/2014-08

Department of Civil Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University
of Texas at Austin.

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