Correlating Thixotropy of Self-Consolidating Concrete to Stability, Formwork Pressure, and Multilayer Casting
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 10
Abstract
The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) gained wide acceptance in the construction industry. The main objective of this paper is to classify the performance of freshly mixed SCC including stability, formwork pressure, and multilayer casting according to its thixotropic level (); this would facilitate prediction of casting and precasting results at the construction site. Test results showed that low thixotropic mixtures having less than are not recommended for construction works given the reduced stability associated with high bleeding and sedimentation rates. In contrast, high thixotropic mixtures with larger than are very stable, and particularly adapted for casting vertical elements given the reduced formwork pressure. Yet those later mixtures are very sensitive to delays or stoppages between successive concrete lifts, resulting in reduced interfacial bond strengths. The moderate thixotropic mixtures having between 0.2 and showed adequate performance regarding multilayer casting in horizontal elements.
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Acknowledgments
This research project is partially funded by the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), Lebanon. The author is thankful to Eng. Frank Jaeger, Finders Technical Services, for this help in developing the bond strength set-up and conducting the experimental program. Also, the work of Miss Yara Maalouf, Civil Engineering Department in Notre Dame University, Lebanon, for rheological testing is appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 10 • October 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 21, 2015
Accepted: Feb 23, 2016
Published online: May 17, 2016
Published in print: Oct 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Oct 17, 2016
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