# Introduction elf-Compacting Concrete (SCC) not only increases the reliability of structures but also reduces the number of workers required at the construction site and streamlines the construction. In pre-cast product plants as well, Self-Compacting Concrete is highly effective in reducing the noise as it requires no vibration [6]. SCC is a highly flowable, yet stable concrete that can spread readily into place and fill the formwork without any consolidation and without undergoing any significant separation. In general, SCC results in reduced construction times and reduced noise pollution [7]. SCC is defined as concrete that is able to flow and consolidate under its own weight, completely fill the formwork even in the presence of dense reinforcement, whilst maintaining homogeneity and without the need for any additional compaction [2]. Super plasticizer enhances deformability and with the reduction of wate / powder segregation resistance is increased [10] [11]. Sorptivity, which is an index of moisture transport into unsaturated specimens, has been recognised as an important index of concrete durability, because the test method used for its determination reflects the way that most concretes will be penetrated by water and other injurious agents and it is an especially good measure of the quality of near surface concrete, which governs durability related to reinforcement corrosion [12]. The sorptivity coefficient is essential to predict the service life of concrete as a structural and to improve its performance [13]. It was reported that the sorptivity of air-cured fly ash concrete, cured for 28, 90 and 180 days, increases with increase in fly ash content. In normal concrete has been shown that the condensed silica fume, under normal curing environments, to both increase strength and reduce sorptivity [14]. ii. Fine Aggregates Natural sand with medium size was used as a fine aggregate. Its physical properties were tested as specific gravity of 2.65 t/m3, fineness modulus of 3.65, absorption of 1%, unit weight of 1.68 t/m3, and voids ratio 31.7%. Sieve analysis had been conducted which its results are shown in Table (2). # II. # Experimental Investigation # Chemical Admixtures Four commercial products were used, they comply with ASTM C494-90 type "G" [3] # b) Mixing procedure and moulding The coarse and fine aggregates were initially fed into the concrete mixer, and then Portland cement and 3/4 of (water + admixture) were poured into the mixer. While the mixer was operated, the remaining water was added as necessary. The mixing time was 5.0 minutes started from the time when all the mixed materials had been charged into the mixer. After casting, all the moulded specimens were covered with plastic sheets and were left in the casting room for 24 hours "25oC and 75 % R.H. Afterwards, they were de-moulded and transferred to the moist curing room at 100% relative humidity until required for testing. # c) Concrete Mixtures An experimental program was undertaken to obtain workability, strength and durability for all mixes. Five mixes were made in this paper. For all mixtures, the graded coarse and fine aggregates were weighted in room dry condition, the coarse aggregate was then immersed in water for 24 hours, the excess water was decanted and the water retained by the aggregates was determined by the mass difference. A predetermined amount of water was added to the fine aggregate that was then allowed to stand for 24 hours. The water to cement ratio was maintained at 36%, coarse aggregate content (dolomite) was 875 kg/m3 with 15 mm, fine aggregate content (natural sand) was 950 kg/m3, tap water has been used for mixing and curing, tap water that used in all of the tests was clean drinking fresh water from impurities. Portland cement was used; the quantity of cement was 500 kg/m3. The mixture proportions of the mixtures are as shown in Table (4). # L-Box It is a widely used test, and gives a good assessment of passing ability. The vertical section of apparatus was filled with concrete without tamping till level at top. After 1 minute; the sliding gate raised vertically to allow the concrete to flow out into horizontal section freely. When the concrete stopped flowing, the heights of the concrete were measured; H1 in the vertical section, and H2 at the end of the horizontal section. The ratio of (H2/H1) is the blocking ratio. The apparatus is shown in fig. The cubes of size 150×150×150 mm were used to determine the absorption at age of 28 days. The specimens dried in oven at temperature 105oC until the weight became constant, this weight was noted as dry weight (Wd). Then the cubes were immersed in water for 3 days then weighted, this weight was noted as wet weight (Ww). The %Absorption was computed by b. Sorptivity Sorptivity measures the rate of penetration of water into the pores in concrete by capillarity suction when the cumulative volume of water that has penetrated per unit surface area of exposure is plotted against the square root of time of exposure. The resulting graph could be approximated by a straight line passing through the origin. The slope of this straight line is considered as a measure of rate of movement of water through the capillary pores. The cubes of size 150×150×150 mm were used to determine the sorptivity at age of 28 days [5]. The specimens dried in oven at temperature 105oC then side surfaces were sealed, and the end of the specimens opposite the absorbing surface was covered to impede evaporation from this surface during the test. # Global Journal of Researches in Engineering # Results and Discussion # a) Properties of Fresh Concrete Concrete mixes at fresh state were tested as slump flow diameter, L-box and V-funnel, table (6) provides an overview of test results. Figures ( 5-7) provide a comparison of different tests for concrete mixes. The slump flow diameter test was carried out according to EFNARC. The results measured are shown in table (6). In general, the slump flow diameters of mixes are in the range of 654:690 mm. Figure (5) shows the different values for each mix. ii. L-Box The L-Box test was carried out according to EFNARC. The results measured of blocking ratio are shown in table (6). In general, the blocking ratios of mixes are in the range of 0.8:0.9. Figure (6) shows the different values for each mix. iii. V-funnel and V-funnel at T=5 minutes The V-funnel test was carried out according to EFNARC. The results measured of flow time are shown in table (6). In general, the flow times of mixes are in the range of 7:11 sec after 10 sec; and in the range of 8:14 sec after 5 minutes. Figure (7) shows the different values for each mix. # b) Properties of Hardened Concrete Concrete mixes at hardened state were tested as compressive strength, flexural strength and splitting tensile strength at different ages "7 & 28 days", Table (7) provides an overview of test results. Figures (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) provide a comparison of different tests for concrete mixes. The compressive strength test carried out by ASTM C39. Its results are shown in Table (7). The compressive strengths for all mixtures are at range of 149 to 437 kg/cm2 after 7 days and at range of 212 to 506 kg/cm2 after 28 days. Figure (8) shows a comparison of achieved compressive strength for each mix. # ii. Flexural Strength The flexural strength test carried out by ASTM C78. Its results are shown in Table (7). The flexural strengths for all mixtures are at range of 30.5 to 53.0 kg/cm2 after 28 days. Figure (9) shows a comparison of achieved flexural strength for each mix. The tensile strength test carried out by ASTM C496. Its results are shown in Table (7). The tensile strengths for all mixtures are at range of 21.98 to 36.14 kg/cm2 after 7 days and at range of 24.06 to 42.22 kg/cm2 after 28 days. Figure (10) shows a comparison of achieved tensile strength for each mix. iv. Absorption # Global Journal of Researches in Engineering The water absorption test carried out by ASTM C642. Its results are shown in Table (7). The water absorption percentages for all mixtures are at range of 4.02% to 8.433% after 28 days. Figure (11) shows a comparison of water absorption percentages for each mix. The sorptivity test carried out by ASTM C1585. Its results are shown in Table (7). The sorptivity values for all mixtures are at range of 0.1896 to 0.3035 mm/?min after 28 days. ![](image-2.png "-") ![a. Slump Flow Diameter It is the most commonly used test, and gives a good assessment of flow ability. The slump cone was filled with concrete without tamping; the concrete level at top of the cone was strike off. The cone was raised vertically to allow the concrete to flow out freely. Final diameter of the concrete in two perpendicular directions was measured. The average of the two measured diameters is the slump flow in mm. The apparatus is shown in fig. (1).](image-3.png "") 1![Figure 1 : Slump Flow Test](image-4.png "Figure 1 :") 2![Figure 2 : L-Box Test](image-5.png "Figure 2 :") 3![Figure 3 : V-funnel test](image-6.png "Figure 3 :") 1DescriptionValuePhysical Properties1-Specific gravity3.152-Fineness passing 90 µm%93%3-Surface area cm 2 /gm3315Chemical Analysis1-Lime Calcium Oxide (CaO)60 : 67 %2-Silicon Dioxide (SiO 2 )17 : 25 %3-Aluminum Oxide (Al 2 O 3 )3.0 : 8.0 %4-Calcium Sulphate (CaSO )0.50 : 6.0 %5-Magnesium Oxide (MgO)0.10 : 4.0 %6-Sulphur trioxide (SO 3 )2.75 %7-Alkalis0.40 : 1.25 %8-Loss in ignition %3 %Compressive Strength (Cubes)1-Age 2 days MPa20.22-Age 7 days MPa32.93-Age 28 days MPa44.7 2surface area of 2.06 cm2/gm, and crushing factor isDolomite of 15 mm maximum size was used. Itsequal to 12.50 %. Sieve analysis had been conductedphysical properties were tested as specific gravity ofwhich its results are shown in Table (3).2.72 t/m3, fineness modulus of 6.66, absorption 1%, the 3 4Sieve Size (mm) 40201052.5 1.25 0.61 0.31 0.15% Passing100 100 100 9070502050Sieve Size (mm) % Passing0 99 420 9510 355 52.5 01.25 0.61 0.31 0.15 0 0 0 0 5 6 7Year 20137XIII Issue v v V Version IVolumeD D D D )(Global Journal of Researches in Engineeringi. Compressive Strength Study of Sorptivity of Self-Compacting Concrete with Different Chemical Admixtures9IV.Conclusions8.433Using Addi Crete BVS 100, Compressive8 strength decreased by (10.00%) at age of 7 days, andincreased by (2.92%) at age of 28 days; Tensile strength7 increased by (42.40%) at age of 7 days, and increased6.688by (49.66%) at age of 28 days; Flexural strength5.495 increased by (46.01%) at age of 28 days. % Absorption 6 decreased by (3.42%) at age of 28 days, Sorptivity 5.307 0 1 2 3 4 5 C M1 decreased by (20.07%) at age of 28 days. Flow ability increased, passing ability increased, segregation resistance. Using Addi Crete BV 200, Compressive strength decreased by (57.43%) at age of 7 days, and decreased % Absorption 0.2436 0.1947 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 Sorptivity (mm/?min) by (52.36%) at age of 28 days; 1. EFNARC (European Federation of national tradeM2 Mixes 0.28654.02 M3 0.1896M4 0.3035associationsrepresentingproducersandapplicators of specialist building products),0 Specification and Guidelines for self-compactingC concrete, February 2002, Hampshire, U.K. M1M2M3M4Mixes © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) Study of Sorptivity of Self-Compacting Concrete with Different Chemical Admixtures © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) Study of Sorptivity of Self-Compacting Concrete with Different Chemical Admixtures This page is intentionally left blank This page is intentionally left blank * The European Guidelines for Self Compacting Concrete 2005 The European Project Group ; SCC European Project Group * Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete ASTM C494-90 ASTM * Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout -Part 2: Concrete admixtures -Definitions, requirements, conformity, marking and labeling EN 934-2: European Standard * Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic Cement Concretes Astm C1585 ASTM International West Conshohocken, PA * Self-compacting Concrete. Development, Present use and Future HOkamura Ouchi Proceedingd of the First International RILEM Symposium on 'Self-Compacting Concrete'. Sweden, Proc eedingd of the First International RILEM Symposium on 'Self-Compacting Concrete'. Sweden 1999 7 * Development of High Performance Concrete Based on Durability Design of Concrete Structures KOzawa KKunishima KMaekawa Ozawa Proceeding of East-Asai and Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-2) eeding of East-Asai and Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-2) January 1989 1 * Evaluation of Self-Compactibility of Fresh Concrete Using the Funnel Test KOzawa NSakata HOkamura Concrete Library of JSCE June 1995. March 2-3, 1993 25 * Mix Design for Self-Compacting Concrete'. Concrete Library of JSCE HOkamura Ozawa June 1995 25 * Influence of Chemical Admixtures and Mixing on the Mix Proportion of General Purpose Self-Compacting Concrete'. International Congress 'Creating with Concrete KTakada GPelova J C WWalraven September 6-10, 1999 UK University of Dundee * Basic Properties and Effects of Welan Gum on Self consolidating Concrete NSakata KMaruyama KMinami ; P J MBartos DMarrs D JCleland E & FnSpon Proceedings of the International RILEM Conference on 'Production Methods and Workability of Concrete the International RILEM Conference on 'Production Methods and Workability of ConcretePaisley, Scotland June 3-5, 1996 * Reduction of concrete sorptivity with age through carbonation WPDias Cement and Concrete Research 30 2000 * Capillary transport in mortars and concrete NSMartys CFerraris Cement and Concrete Research 27 5 1997 * Combined effects of mineral admixtures and curing conditions on the sorptivity coefficient of concrete CTasdemir Cement and Concrete Research 33 2003 * References Références Referencias From the previous investigation and test result, it can be concluded that Sika Visco Crete 3425 and Addi Crete BVS 100 improved the workability and strength properties of SCC