Permeability, porosity and compressive strength of self-compacting concrete

Most deterioration affecting the durability of self-compacting concrete structures is mediated by water penetration in the concrete, a condition related to its porous structure. The present study analyzes these two factors. To this end, two types of concrete were prepared, a self-compacting and a tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M.O. Valcuende, C. Parra, J. Benlloch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2005-12-01
Series:Materiales de Construccion
Subjects:
Online Access:http://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc/article/view/203
Description
Summary:Most deterioration affecting the durability of self-compacting concrete structures is mediated by water penetration in the concrete, a condition related to its porous structure. The present study analyzes these two factors. To this end, two types of concrete were prepared, a self-compacting and a traditional vibrated concrete, with different W/C ratios and different types of cement. The results of low-pressure water testing to evaluate permeability and analyses to determine compressive strength and pore size distribution showed that self-compacting concrete has lower capillary porosity than traditional concrete, which would explain its greater resistance to water penetration. Such concrete likewise reached higher strength values, except where large proportions of lime powder with low sand equivalents were used in its manufacture, when lower strength was recorded. Lastly, the depth of water penetration and compressive strength were found to be linearly correlated. That correlation was seen to depend, in turn, on the type of concrete, since for any given strength level, self-compacting concrete was less permeable than the traditional material.
ISSN:0465-2746
1988-3226