EFFECT OF SILICA FUME ON WATER ABSORPTION OF STRUCTURAL LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE CONTAINING SATURATED LECA FINE AGGREGATES

Morteza Madhkhan, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Masoud Hosseinpoor, Dept of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science andTechnology, Iran Ehsan Fereshte nezhad, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Ahmadreza Talebian, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Golnaz alsadat Mirfendereski, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Behrooz Esmaeelkhanian, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Majid Ebad Sichani, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran 33rd Conference on OUR WORLD IN CONCRETE & STRUCTURES: 25 - 27 August 2008, Singapore

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33rd Conference on OUR WORLD IN CONCRETE & STRUCTURES: 25 27 August 2008, Singapore

EFFECT OF SLCA FUME ON WATER ABSORPTON OF STRUCTURAL LGHTWEGHT CONCRETE CONTANNG SATURATED LECA FNE AGGREGATES
Morteza Madhkhan, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Masoud Hosseinpoor, Dept of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science andTechnology, Iran Ehsan Fereshte nezhad, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Ahmadreza Talebian, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Golnaz alsadat Mirfendereski, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Behrooz Esmaeelkhanian, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Majid Ebad Sichani, Dept of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran

Abstract
The objective of this paper is to study the influence of silica fume on water absorption of structural lightweight concrete containing saturated Leca fine aggregates. In primary studies, 9 cylindrical specimens (50*100mm) and 12 cubic specimens(100*100*100mm) by using 6 mix designs were made, cast and 28 days cured. These mix designs include one W/C.M (0.4), three different S.F/C.M (0%,10% and 15%) with one amount of dried and saturated Leca fine aggregate. In the experimental phase of this study, 36 cylindrical concrete specimens (50*100mm) and 48 cubic specimens (100*100*100mm) were made, cast and 28 days cured. Mix designs include two different 7 days saturated Leca fine aggregates, two different W/C.M (0.3, 0.4) and three different S.F/C.M (0%,10% and 15%).The tests included capillary water absorption test for cylindrical specimens and volumetric water absorption test for cubic specimens. The experimental results showed with the increasing of S.F/C.M ratio, capillary and volumetric water absorptions at first decrease and then increase that in this way optimum S.F/C.M ratio can be achieved. In regression of capillary water absorption line, using logarithmic axe time instead of secondary root of time axe, gives better regression coefficient. keywords: structural lightweight concrete, Leca fine aggregates, Silica fume, water absorption
1.Introduction Nowadays, application of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) has developed throughout the world. Lower density and higher insulating capacity are the characteristics by which LWAC has been distinguished as an appropriate composite material in construction. The challenge of usage of such concretes is their water absorption, especially in humid climate and regions with soils containing sulphate, chloride and carbonate ions. High water absorption of LWAC will result in corrosion of reinforcements and consequently make LWAC an inefficient material. One of the effective factors on durability of concrete is the quality of surface layer. Water absorption as an index of durability should also be noticed. It can be assessed in two fields: 1. Volumetric water absorption indicates permeability, especially in structures which are exposed to water (i.e piles of retaining walls). In this research, because of misleading results of weighted absorption, volumetric water absorption has been used [1,2]. 2. Another criterion for determining concrete permeability is the capillary water absorption, and it can be defined as the value of water absorbed by unsaturated concrete due to capillary action and has direct relationship with continues

voids of concrete [3,4]. Capillary water absorption properly indicates the durability of concrete, particularly in structures which are not exposed to the water pressure [4]. Since Leca (light weight expanded clay aggregates) has low external porosity, in this research, it is used as a part of fine aggregates in order to solve the problem of high water absorption of LWA from the paste. The effects of different S.F/C.M ratios and different W/C.M. ratios on capillary and volumetric water absorption of hardened concrete are compared with each other. Also in order to solve the problem of water absorption from fresh concrete paste, all of the used aggregates were saturated. Many researches have been done in the field of using silica fume in concrete. Volsifer has shown in his researches that using silica fume in concrete decreases water absorption of concrete [5]. Tadayyon etal. have found out that in some mix designs, LWAC containing Leca and silica fume have less water absorption than concrete containing silica fume [6]. Bentur etal. have also done wide researches in the field of transition zone of concrete containing high quality silica fume [7]. 2. Primary Studies To realize the effect of saturating Leca aggregates on water absorption of concrete, 6 mix designs with 400 kg/m3 Leca and W/C.M. = 0.4 were made. In 3 mix designs S.F/C.M = 0, 10, 15 % and dry Leca and in other mix designs the same S.F./C.M. ratios but 1 day saturated Leca were used. Finally it was observed that specimens containing saturated Leca have lower water absorption in comparison with specimens containing dry Leca. Also saturating Leca leads to such high compressive strength so that makes the LWAC possible to be used as a construction material. Saturated Leca act as a water reservoir and probably the evacuated water from saturated Leca participates in hydration procedure and cause a more perfect procedure and prevents considerable decrease in relative humidity of cement paste and finally, it would create a transition zone by a better performance. Also the surface of concrete made from saturated Leca is smoother than concrete made from dry Leca which leads to decrease in water absorption. After mixing, if dry lightweight aggregate is used, the aggregate would start absorbing the existing water in concrete, consequently the air inside the aggregate would be evacuated and a layer of air bobbles would be created on the surface of aggregate. Although this action increases concrete permeability, but it doesnt cause rapid water absorption and wide capillary cracks [8]. Also this layer of air results in weakness of transition zone and consequently increases the amount of water absorbed by concrete. At last, according to the mentioned results, main specimens were made base on the 12 different mix designs, using 7 days saturated Leca (by submerging method). The specimens which were made from each mix design are: 4 cubic specimens (10*10*10 cm3) to measure volumetric water absorption and 3 cylindrical specimens (5cm* 10cm) to measure capillary water absorption. Totally 48 specimens for measuring volumetric water absorption and 36 specimens for measuring capillary water absorption were tested. 3. Properties of Mixing Design Components 3.1 Properties of Aggregates 3.1. 1 Properties of fine Aggregates For making the specimens, river sand (0-5 mm), Leca (light expanded clay aggregate) and also marine sand (75-150 m), have been used as fine aggregates. River sand was with density 2.63 and one day water absorption 0.8%. Leca (light expanded clay aggregate) grading was according to ASTMC331 [9] with density 1.35, abrasion 34.67%, and 7 days water absorption 37.4%. Marine sand (75-150m) has been used as filler in mixing designs. 3.1. 2 Properties of Coarse Aggregates In this study for making light weight aggregate concrete, crushed gravel (5-12 mm) has been used as coarse aggregates. Gravel grading was according to ASTMC33 with compressive strength 60 MPa, abrasion 22.26% according to ASTM C 131-81[10], density 2.67 and one day water absorption 0.6%. Grading diagrams of sand, gravel and Leca and grading diagrams for different mixing designs are shown in Fig.1:

GRADING DIAGRAM

100.00
Leca+Sand+Filler

90.00 80.00 70.00

Allowable Grading Limitatoin ASTM (Fine Agg.) Allowable Grading Limitatoin ASTM (Fine Agg.) Gravel

Passing (%)

60.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 20.00 10.00 0.00 0.01

Allowable Grading Limitation ASTM (Caorse Agg.) Allowable Grading Limitation ASTM (Coarse Agg.)

0.1

10

100

Sieve Size (mm)

Figure 1. Fine and coarse aggregates grading diagram

3.2 Properties of Other Components Portland cement type I has been used in this study. . Different properties of cement and silica fume are shown in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3. These properties had been measured by the factory in which they were produced. Using the plasticizers is inevitable. Thats why in making specimens, plasticizers are used with the value of 1.5% of the weight of the cementitious materials . The used super plasticizer in this study is in the shape of powder and has the melamine base. Then the super plasticizer was added to the mixture by mixing in the whole water of mix designs. Table 1. Mechanical properties of cement Mechanical properties Used cement Dansity (kg/m3) 3.15 Final setting (min) 210 initial setting (min) 110 Special area (m2/kg) 310

ASTM c150

------

max=600

min=60

Min=260

Table 2. Mechanical properties of cement

Mechanical properties

fc 28 days (MPa)

fc 7days (MPa)

fc 3days (MPa)

28 days f c (MPa) 7 days f c (MPa)

1.7 1.43

3 days f c (MPa) 7 days f c (MPa)

0.74 0.6

Used cement ASTMC150

39 28

23 19

17 12

Table 3. Physical properties of used silica fume

Dansity

Specific area (m2/kg) 14000

Special delivery (kg/m3) 173

Average size (micrometer) 0.2

Maximum size (micrometer) 0.77

Minimum size (micrometer) 0.03

2.21

4. Mix Designs In order to examine the effect of different factors, two water _ cementitious materials ratios, three silica fume cementitious materials ratios and two different amounts of leca were considered. These 12 mix designs are mentioned in Table 4. It is noticed that in each mix design 6 kg/m3 super plasticizer has been used . Table 4. mix designs (kg/m3) Mix design

(W C.M )

S .F C.M

Dry Leca

Cement

Silica Fume

Water

(%) SN1 SN2 SN3 SN4 SN5 SN6 SN7 SN8 SN9 SN10 SN11 SN12 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0 10 15 0 10 15 0 10 15 0 10 15 350 350 350 350 350 350 300 300 300 300 300 300 400 360 340 400 360 340 400 360 340 400 360 340 0 40 60 0 40 60 0 40 60 0 40 60 120 120 120 160 160 160 120 120 120 160 160 160

7days Saturated Leca

Coarse Aggregate (dry)

Fine Aggregate (dry) Sand Filler 110 110 110 110 110 110 120 120 120 120 120 120

464.2 464.2 464.2 464.2 464.2 464.2 397.88 397.88 397.88 397.88 397.88 397.88

125 125 125 125 125 125 150 150 150 150 150 150

525 525 525 525 525 525 650 650 650 650 650 650

5. Performance Stages Considering type of the mix design and in order to achieve a better mixture of filler with other ingredients, first 7days SSD leca was mixed with filler. Then, fine aggregate (sand with range of 0-5 mm) and coarse aggregate (gravel with range of 5-12 mm) were added to the initial mixture and so cementitious materials (cement and silica fume), then all ingredients were mixed again. For presoaking, half of mix water (containing dissolved super plasticizer) was mixed with other ingredients at one stage and then in another stage, the next half of mix water was added to the mixture. After

that, all specimens were made and molded in 3 batches in the laboratorys conditions and then were carried to the soaking room .The temperature of laboratory and soaking room were 305 C and 252 C respectively and their moisture were% 2010 and% 7010 respectively. 6. Laboratory Measurements In order to measure the volumetric water absorption, cubic specimens 100100100(mm3) according to ASTM C642-97 [11] were used. After 28 days of curing, the specimens were put in oven for 24 hours in temperature 110 C.To reach the air dried condition; specimens were put in temperature and moisture of laboratory. To measure the volumetric water absorption, the specimens were submerged and their masses were measured after 10, 30, 60 and 120 min and also 1 day, 2 days, 7 days and 10 days after drying the surface moisture. In capillary water absorption test, preparation conditions of specimens were the same as that in water absorption test. To measure the height of capillary water absorption, the specimens 100 mm50 mm, according to RILEM [12], were put in water in a way that only 10 mm of their height were in the water. After 3 and 6 hours and also 1 day, 2 days, 7 days and 10 days and after drying their surface moisture, the mass of specimens were measured to determine the height of capillary water absorption. 7. Experimental Results a) The results of volumetric water absorption will be defined as follow:

A=
Where : Vw is amount of absorbed water in ml(gr)

Vw 100% (1) V

V is the volume of each specimen, which is equal to 1000 ml for all specimens. According to Fig. (2) the minimum volumetric water absorption belongs to SN2 which its components are: W/C.M.=0.3, leca=350 Kg/m3 and S.F=10%. Also the maximum volumetric water absorption belongs to SN3 which its components are: W/C.M.=0.3, leca=350 Kg/m3 and S.F=15%. According to Fig. (3), it is concluded that the amount of 10% silica fume gives the minimum water absorption. Also it is obvious that, in the mix design with 350 Kg/m3 leca, amount of 0% silica fume shows less water absorption than 15%. But with 300 Kg/m3 leca, amount of 15% silica fume shows less water absorption than 0%. According to Fig. (3) except to SN3 and SN6 designs, in other designs water absorption reduces if W/C.M. ratio goes down. b) Capillary water absorption is determined by the expression in below:

i=

m (2) R 2

Where: i is height of capillary absorption in cm, m is the amount of absorbed water in gr and R is the radius of specimen in cm. According to expression (2) a graph like i=f(t) is taken and two following equations are exposed:

i = C + S t (3)

i = C + S ln t (4)
Where : i is capillary water absorption in cm, C and C are capillary water absorption constants in cm, S and S are capillary water absorption coefficients in cm/hr0.5 and cm/hr, respectively. According to correlation coefficients ( R2 and R2 in Table 5), it is concluded that expression (4) is more accurate than expression (3). According to Table (5) minimum capillary absorption (with little difference) belongs to SN2 and SN5. They have 350 Kg/m3 leca, 10% silica fume and W/C.M. = 0.3 and 0.4 respectively. On the other

hand, SN10 with W/C.M. = 0.3, leca=350 Kg/m3 S.F. = 0%, has maximum capillary water absorption, compared to all. Generally, it is obvious that in all cases, the minimum capillary water absorption belongs to the specimens with 10% silica fume. Also, according to Table (5) SN10 and SN12 have the minimum capillary water absorption coefficient. c) As it is shown in Table 6, density and compressive strength of all mix designs are in the standard range of LWAC which says when density is in the range of 1440 1850 (kg/m3), recommended minimum compressive strength is 17.3 MPa[13]. d) Scrutinizing the surface of specimens, it was shown that in comparison with ordinary LWAC, there is not considerable sign of segregation.

12 water absorbtion(%) 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 10 100 t(min)

Figure 2. Volumetric water absorption versus time diagram
12 Leca=350kg/m^3 , W/C.M=.3

SN1 SN2 SN3 SN4 SN5 SN6 SN7 SN8 SN9 SN10 SN11 SN12

1000

10000

100000

10

Water Absorption(%)

Leca=350kg/m^3 , W/C.M=.4

6 Leca=300kg/m^3 , W/C.M=.3

Leca=300kg/m^3 , W/C.M=.4
0 10 15

S.F/C.M (%)
Figure 3. Volumetric water absorption versus silica fume percentage

Table 5. Results of capillary water absorption Capillary water absorption(cm) in different times(hr) C Type SN1 SN2 SN3 SN4 SN5 SN6 SN7 SN8 SN9 SN10 SN11 SN12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.76 0.48 0.48 0.65 0.37 0.59 1.01 0.94 0.99 1.22 1.13 1.69 6 1.01 0.58 0.64 0.98 0.51 0.92 1.26 1.05 1.10 1.41 1.28 1.85 24 1.53 0.76 0.86 1.48 0.73 1.39 1.68 1.15 1.21 1.74 1.44 1.90 48 1.88 0.84 1.02 1.80 0.91 1.79 1.95 1.25 1.32 2.13 1.67 2.07 168 2.71 1.09 1.34 2.39 1.08 2.24 2.23 1.45 1.48 2.64 1.95 2.26 240 2.79 1.12 1.39 2.51 1.10 2.30 2.33 1.51 1.54 2.75 2.03 2.28 0.690 0.473 0.486 0.684 0.412 0.662 1.091 0.937 0.999 1.166 1.118 1.711 S 0.147 0.456 0.635 0.128 0.050 0.118 0.088 0.039 0.037 0.110 0.063 0.040 R2 0.965 0.953 0.951 0.938 0.884 0.905 0.887 0.970 0.948 0.961 0.957 0.931 C 0.144 0.299 0.242 0.180 0.201 0.175 0.712 0.795 0.857 0.756 0.883 1.560 S 0.478 0.150 0.209 0.425 0.170 0.398 0.299 0.126 0.122 0.358 0.205 0.131 R2 0.985 0.993 0.994 0.998 0.991 0.995 0.994 0.982 0.992 0.985 0.983 0.961

Table 6. Mechanical properties for different mixes Wet density (kg/m3) Dry density (kg/m3)

Mix title

Compressive strength (MPa) 7 days 13.27 25.54 25.98 9.77 19.37 20.15 23.2 30.42 35.03 12.32 22.54 26.98 14 days 14.57 28.64 29.81 13.27 20.93 22.7 25.7 37.92 37.97 13.99 25.43 29.92 28 days 18.37 30.37 32.48 14.6 22.43 26.2 29.92 39.69 39.86 19.37 29.53 33.59

Tensile strength(MPa)

SN1 SN2 SN3 SN4 SN5 SN6 SN7 SN8 SN9 SN10 SN11 SN12

1745.33 1747.01 1729.72 1781.7 1808.42 1831.89 1892.46 1943.6 1924.42 1902.52 1907.45 1933.54

1580.6 1620.42 1666.42 1641.38 1721.96 1725.84 1819.95 1857.25 1864.17 1792.7 1816.38 1860.19

7 days 1.71 2.14 2.23 1.57 1.83 1.87 2.54 2.61 3.22 1.89 2.41 2.43

14 days 1.89 2.28 2.62 1.65 2.21 2.4 2.78 2.85 3.59 2.28 2.65 2.66

28 days 2.1 2.65 2.82 1.97 2.41 2.69 3.29 3.66 3.83 2.73 3.04 3.18

8. Conclusion 1. Although using silica fume decreases volumetric and capillary water absorption, but to have minimum water absorption in structural lightweight concrete containing fine leca aggregate, using of 10% silica fume is recommended, using more or less than that may increases water absorption. 2. In experimental specimens, it was observed that, usage of dry leca increases the amount of water absorption compared to saturated leca. Also, the concrete which is containing dry leca, has a rough surface and it doesnt look well. It is likely that, if dry leca is used, after mixing, it starts absorbing the water of the fresh concrete. As a result, the entrapped air in dry leca aggregates comes out and a layer of bubble covers the surface of leca aggregate. This factor increseas concrete water absorption, but it doesnt cause wide capillary ways and fast water absorption in concrete. So it is recommended to use 7 days saturated leca. 3. Comparing correlation coefficients shows that the equation i = C + S ln t is better expression than i = C + S t for the height of capillary water absorption. 4. Comparing the capillary water absorption of LWAC with normal concrete tested by Tadayon etal. [6] , with almost similar mix design, it is concluded that in about half of the mix designs, the amount of capillary water absorption in lightweight leca concretes are less than normal concrete. This

means lightweight leca aggregate concrete could be an alternative for normal concrete in structures which are exposed to a humid climate. 5. The reason of less capillary water absorption of LWAC can be the spherical shape of leca aggregate. So they could be placed easily among the other aggregates. Also silicafume causes a little transitional distance between aggregates and cementitous materials and increases the wet surface by which aggregates are binded. 6. Although it appears that W/C.M. ratios which are used are approximately low, almost all of the concretes which are made of saturated leca have desirable consistency (the slump of mix designs was between 3.5-10 cm). This matter and eligible amount of compressive strength of madeconcretes, facilitates using of this concrete in constructions. 7. It can be mentioned that the reason of non-segregation of components in specimens,is may be because of the role of silicafume in decreasing transition distance between aggregates and cementitous materials. It is recommended to do these experiments widely for mix designs with different W/C.M. ratios and amounts of leca. 9. Reference [1] Mohebi, mohamad javad, Effect of silica fume on the improvement of physical-mechanical properties of lightweight concrete made from expanded clay lightweight aggregate , Ms dissertation , Khaje Nasir Aldin Tousi University, Tehran, 2001. [2] Ghodousi, P., Parhizgar, T., Analyzing the durability of lightweight concrete in different climate exposures , Iran Building and House Research Center , First report, 1380. [3] Potter, R. Ho. D.,Quality of cover concrete and its influence on durability, SP 100-25, International Conference on Concrete Durability,vol 1.ACI. [4] Emerson, M., Mechnisms of Water Absorption by Concrete, Transport and Road Research Laboratory; U.K; 1990. [5] Wolseifer, J., Ultra high-strength field place able concrete with silica fume admixture, Concrete International: Design and Construction 6 (4): 25-31; 1984 (April). [6]Tadayyon, M., Ghodousi, P., Famili, H., Analyzing the water absorption of lightweight concrete containing Iranian leca , 6th International conference of civil engineering ICCE, Isfahan University of Technology, vol. 2, pp. 375-382, 2003. [7] Bentur A. et al., The Contribution of the Transition Zone to the Strength of High Quality Silica Fume Concretes Bonding in Cementitious CompositesProc. Symp., Materials Research Society ,1998. [8] EuroLightCon, Document BE96-3942/R2 LWAC Material Properties,State-of-the-art ,pp. 32,43,58, 1998. [9] ASTM C331-99, Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section 4, Vol. 04.02, American Society of Testing & Materials, West Conshohocken, PA. [10] ASTM C131-81, Standard test method for resistance to degradation of small size coarse aggregate by abrasion and impact in the Los Angeles machine. [11] ASTM C642-97, Standard Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened Concrete, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, American Society of Testing & Materials, West Conshohocken, PA. [12] RILEM CP11.2-TC14_CPC, Absorption of Water by Concrete by Capillarity, E and FNSPON, Chapman and Hall, 1994. [13] ACI 213, Guide for Structural Lightweight Aggregate Concrete, R-87, 27 p. 1987.