International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 19 (2015)

© Research India Publications ::: http://www.ripublication.com

FLEXTURAL BEHAVIOUR OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE

BEAMS WITH SILICA FUME AND FLY ASH USING ANSYS
Mrs. R. Manju1, Dr.J. PREMALATHA2, A.Antlin Stella3
1
Assistant professor (SRG), Department of Civil Engineering, Kumaraguru college of Technology, Coimbatore,
Tamilnadu, India. Ph.No.: 9944133455 Email: manjustructure@gmail.com
2
, Professor & Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Kumaraguru College of Technology,
Coimbatore - 641049. Mobile: 934538652, Mail ID: premravi_11@rediffmail.com
3
PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Kumaraguru college of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India.
Ph.No:.7867979147 Email: stella.antlin700@gmail.com

Abstract—This paper investigates the behaviour of Self
compacting concrete (SCC) beams under flexural
loading. Self compacting concrete, a new kind of high
performance concrete with excellent deformability is a
highly-workable concrete which has the ability to fill the
forms without any vibration also has ability to flow
and pass through small spaces between reinforcements
and also cohesive enough to be handled without
segregation and bleeding. Totally four mix proportions
are arrived with different percentage of fly-ash and
silica fume. The percentage of silica fume varied from 0
to 15%.The total replacement percentage of cement for
all mixes are 40%. In this paper, studied the fresh
properties (such as Flow ability, Passing ability and
Filling ability) and strength properties (such as
Compressive strength, Split tensile strength and
Flexural strength) for different mix proportions. Totally
four beams were casted to study the flexural behaviour
of SCC beams with filler materials. The ultimate load
and deflection are measured under the two point
loading condition. The finite element model is developed
for all beams using ANSYS 14.5. The analytical results
arrived from ANSYS 14.5 are compared with the
experimental results. Finally the mix containing 15%
SF produced better result in all stages.
Key Words: Self Compacting Concrete (SCC), flexural
behaviour, filler materials, fresh property, strength
property.
I. INTRODUCTION
performance, SCC is different from HPC developed
in North America and Europe, which emphasizes on
high strength and durability of concrete. In terms of
workability, HPC nearly improves fluidity of
concrete to facilitate placing; however it cannot flow
freely by itself to pack every corner of moulds and all
gaps among reinforcement. In other words, HPC still
requires vibration and compaction in construction
process.
The term Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC)
refers to a ―new‖ special type of concrete mixture,
characterized by high resistance to segregation that
can be cast without compaction or vibration. Self
compacting concrete is not affected by the skills of
workers, the shape and amount of reinforcing bars or
the arrangement of a structure. Self-consolidating
concrete, a latest innovation in concrete technology is
being regarded as one of the most promising
developments in the construction industry due to
numerous advantages of it over conventional
concrete. Self-consolidating concrete, as the name
indicates, is a type of concrete that does not require
external or internal compaction, but it becomes
levelled and compacted under its self-weight only. It
is commonly abbreviated as SCC and defined as a
concrete which can be placed and compacted into
every corner of a form work, purely by means of its
self-weight thus eliminating the need of vibration or
other types of compacting effort.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW

Self compacting concrete, a new kind of In April 2014, S.Suchithra, R.Malathy

high performance concrete with excellent
deformability and segregation resistance, was first
developed at the University of Tokyo, Japan in 1986.
It is a special kind of concrete that can flow through
and fill the gaps of reinforcement and corners of
mould without any need for vibration and compaction
during placing process. Though showing good
presented a paper on the effects of steel fibers on
beams and beam-column joints of SCC specimens,
using three different fiber volume fractions (0.5%,
1% and 1.5%).. As a result, by increasing the fiber
volume fractions from 0.5 % to 1.0% the bending
load of beam specimens increases. The Vf 1.0% for

14136
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 19 (2015)
© Research India Publications ::: http://www.ripublication.com

SCC-SF gives the better ductility and energy efficiency of the developed computer program
absorption results than other combination of mixes (ANSYS version 12.0) in predicting the behavior and
such as SCC-FAS, SCC-RHA and SCC-QD. Finally, ultimate load of composite steel-concrete beams.
the experimental result has been proved with analysis
software viz., ANSYS.
III CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONS
In February 2011, I. Saifullah et al
presented a paper in International Journal of Civil & The investigation was performed on the self-
Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol: 11 compacting concrete with different mix proportions.
No: 01 which focuses on the behavior of reinforced Concrete mixes were designed, prepared and
concrete beam for different pattern of shear summarized in four groups as shown in table 1. Silica
reinforcement to evaluate the effective shear fume was added by 5% of cement content and
reinforcement pattern and also compare the variation increased up to 15%,fly ash was 40% of cement
in behavior of reinforced concrete beam for with and content for CM and reduced up to 25% for the
without shear reinforcement with a simulation. From mixes, Fine aggregate and Coarse aggregate content
observation of analyses results it can be concluded are same for all the mixes, the water–binder ratio was
that all types of web reinforcements are almost same taken as 0.35 for all self- compacting mixes,
effective for static loading condition. super-plasticizer ratio was 2.25% from the cement
content to produce self- compacting concrete.
In November 2012, S. S. Patil, et al
presented a paper in which The deep beam are Table 1 Mix proportions
subjected to two point loading with three different Mix ID Binder content W/B SP
L/D ratios (1.5, 1.6, 1.71) using Non-linear Finite (%) (%) (%)
element method (ANSYS 9.0 software) in order to C FA SF
investigate the stress and strain distribution pattern at CM 60 40 - 0.35 2.25
5SF 60 35 5 0.35 2.25
mid-section of the beam. Flexural stress and strain 10SF 60 30 10 0.35 2.25
variation graphs indicate that the definition of simply 15SF 60 25 15 0.35 2.25
supported deep beam as per IS 456:2000. From the
flexural strain and stress graphs it was observed that C-Cement, FA-Fly Ash, SF-Silica Fume, CM-
as L/D ratio of the beam decreases the neutral axis Control Mix, SP-Super Plasticizer, W/B-Water to
shifted towards soffit of the beam. From the shear Binder Ratio.
stress variation graph it was observed that as
span/depth ratio decreases the shear stress increases. IV EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

In December 2009, Amer M. Ibrahim, A. Fresh Properties

Wissam D. Salman presented a paper on Numerical
analyses are performed using the ANSYS finite
element program to simulate reinforced concrete
beams strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced
polymer applied at the bottom of these beams. The
crack patterns at the final loads from the finite
element models correspond well with the observed
failure modes of the experimental beams.
In September 2013, Amer M. Ibrahim,
Qussay W.Ahmed Presented a on nonlinear finite
element computer program. ANSYS version 12.0
developed for the analysis of composite steel-
concrete beam. These results reveal the accuracy and
The fresh properties were found out by
doing slump test, T-50, V-Funnel, L-box, and U- box
for all mix proportions.
B.Strength Properties
The hardened properties were found out by
doing cube compression test, split tensile test,
flexural strength test at 28 days for all mix
proportions.
To study the flexural behaviour of beams, four
beams were casted and tested under two point
loading. Among the four, one is the control beam and

14137
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 19 (2015)
© Research India Publications ::: http://www.ripublication.com

remaining three beams were replaced with silica

fume. The size of the beams was 100X175X1500
mm, and designed as under reinforced section. Thus from the table its identified that the strength has
reinforced with 2-10 # at bottom, 2–8 # at top using been improved with increase in percentage of silica
8mm dia stirrups @ 100 mm c/c (Fig. 1). The beams fume.
were cast using M30 grade concrete and Fe 415 grade
Beams are analyzed experimentally and its
steel.The testing arrangement is shown in figure1.
load and deflection values are tabulated in Table 4
Two point load is given to the beam and deflections
under load point and mid span were studied. Table 4 Load – deflection values for all mix

1500
S.NO Mix ID Load (KN) Deflection
500 w w
(mm)
8 mm stirrups
@ 100c/c Hangers:
1 CM 43.2 24.43
20 2 nos 8 mm dia 2 5SF 51.5 25.39
135 3 10SF 54.8 27.27
20
4 15SF 55 23.22
50 1400 100 Main reinforcement
2 nos 10 mm dia

LONGITUDINAL SECTION CROSS SECTION

From the above table, it is observed that
with increase in percentage of silica fume in concrete,
ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN mm

Figure 1 Reinforcement detail of beam the load carrying capacity of the self compacting
concrete beam is increased and the deflection of the
V EXPERIMENTAL TEST RESULT beam gets decreased. . And it is observed, by
replacing cement with silica fume by 5%, 10% and
A. Fresh Properties 15% the deflection value is increased by 3.93%,
11.62% and decreased by 4.95% respectively.
Table 2 Fresh properties
The load deflection curve for all mix proportions are
Mix Slump T50 V- L- U-
shown in figure 2,3,4,5.
ID Flow sec Funn Box Box
Mm el mm mm
sec
CM 655 5.0 11.8 0.85 29
CM
5SF 670 4.9 10.1 0.88 28 y = 1.674x + 13.05
10SF 692 4.8 9.3 0.92 26 R² = 0.721
15SF 710 4.6 8.5 0.97 25
Load KN

All mix proportions were satisfied the flow,

passing and filling ability as per the guidelines given
in EFNARC. The fresh properties were increased as
increase in silica fume.

B. Strength Properties
Deflection mm
Table 3 Strength properties
Figure 2 Load –Deflection curve for CM
Mix ID Cube compression Split tensile Flexural
(N/mm2)28days (N/mm2) strength
28days (N/mm2)
28days
CM 37.54 2.58 6.33
5SF 40.79 2.93 6.81
10SF 41.02 2.15 6.99
15SF 43.14 2.93 7.3

14138
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 19 (2015)
© Research India Publications ::: http://www.ripublication.com

VI FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

5SF
A.Concrete Elements
y = 1.977x + 13.99 SOLID 65 element was used to model the
R² = 0.770 concrete. SOLID 65 element is an eight node solid
element and has 3 displacement and 3 rotation
Load KN

degrees of freedom at each node. The element has the

shape of a rectangular prism. Solid 65 has the
capability to simulate the linear and nonlinear
behavior of concrete material.
The failure surface used in ANSYS® [30]
is defined by five parameters, which are the concrete
uniaxial compressive strength (fc), concrete tensile
Deflection mm strength (ft), concrete biaxial compressive strength
(fcb), concrete biaxial compressive strength
Figure 3 Load –Deflection for curve 5SF superimposed on a hydrostatic stress state (f1),
concrete uniaxial compressive strength
superimposed on a hydrostatic stress state (f2),
10SF
ANSYS . The material model in ANSYS® considers
perfect bond between reinforcement and concrete.
y = 1.871x + 14.82 SOLID 65 can also represent plasticity and
R² = 0.787 creep, and allows the introduction of a reinforcement
Load KN

material in up to three directions.. The elastic

modulus of concrete was calculated by using the
slope of the intial tangent to the stress–strain curve
The Poisson ratio is taken as 0.15. The ultimate
uni-axial compressive and tensile strengths of
concrete were implemented in the code from the
laboratory test results.
Deflection mm
B. Reinforcement Steel Elements
Figure 4 Load –Deflection for curve 10SF Modelling of reinforcing steel in
finite elements is much simpler than the
15SF modelling of concrete. LINK 180 element was used
to model steel reinforcement. This element is a 3D
spar element and it has two nodes with three degrees
y = 1.897x + 15.92
of freedom – translations in the nodal x, y, and z
R² = 0.77
directions. LINK8 element is also capable of
Load KN

simulating plastic deformation. A perfect bond

Deflection mm
Figure 5 Load –Deflection for curve 15SF
between the concrete and steel reinforcement is
considered. However, in the present study the
steel reinforcing was connected between nodes of
each adjacent concrete solid element, so the two
materials shared the same nodes. Steel reinforcement
in the experimental work was constructed with
typical steel reinforcing bars. The elastic modulus
and yield stress for the steel reinforcement used in
the FE study were adopted from the material
properties used for the experimental work. The

14139
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 19 (2015)
© Research India Publications ::: http://www.ripublication.com

steel Poisson’s ratio of 0.3 is used for all the

simulated beams.

C. Non Linear Analysis In Ansys

The transition of concrete from an
uncracked to cracked stage and the nonlinear
material properties of concrete in compression
cause the nonlinear behavior of the structures
under loading. In the present study, the nonlinear
analysis was performed by dividing the load into a
series of load increments called load steps. At the
Figure 7 load and boundary condition of beam model
completion of each incremental solution, the stiffness
matrix of the model is adjusted to reflect the MIX ID : CM
nonlinear changes in the structural stiffness before
proceeding to the next load increment.

D.Modeling
The beam was modelled as volume. The
model was 1500 mm long with a cross section of 100
mm X 170mm. The Finite Element beam model was
shown in Fig.6.

Figure 8 Deformed shape of beam

Figure 6 Finite element model of beam

E. Loads And Boundary Conditions

Displacement boundary conditions were

needed to constraint the model to get a unique
solution. To ensure that the model acts the same way
as the experimental beam boundary conditions need
to be applied at points of symmetry, and where the Figure 9 Maximum & minimum stresses of beam
supports and loading exist. The support was modeled
as a hinged support at one end and the other end was F. Analytical Result
roller support. Nodes on the plate were given Beams are analyzed analytically and its load
constraint in all directions, applied as constant values and deflection values are tabulated below. Analytical
of zero. The loading and boundary conditions of the values are tabulated in Table 5
beam were shown in Fig.7

14140
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 19 (2015)
© Research India Publications ::: http://www.ripublication.com

Table 5 Load and deflection values & Environmental Engineering(IJCEE-IJENS), Vol: 11

No: 01, February 2011.
S.No Mix Id Load Deflection (mm) 3. Patil, S.S., Shaikh, A.N., Prof. Dr.Niranjan, B.R.,
(KN) ―Non Linear Finite Element Method of Analysis of
Reinforced Concrete Deep Beam‖ International Journal
1 CM 43.2 22.504 of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER), Vol.2,
Issue.6, pp-4622-4628 ISSN: 2249-6645, Nov-Dec.
2 5%SF 51.5 23.075 2012.
3 10%SF 54.8 25.089 4. Amer Ibrahim, M., Wissam Salman D., ―Finite
Element Analysis Of Reinforced Concrete Beams
4 15%SF 55 21.22 Strengthened With CFRP In Flexural‖, Diyala Journal
of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 02 , pp. 88-104, ISSN
1999-8716, December 2009.
VII CONCLUSION 5. Amer Ibrahim, M., Qussay Ahmed, W., ―Nonlinear
Analysis Of Simply Supported Composite Steel -
1. All mix proportions were satisfied the Concrete Beam‖, Diyala Journal of Engineering
Sciences, Vol.06, No.03, pp. 107-126, ISSN 1999-
EFNARC specifications under its fresh 8716, September 2013.
state. The filling, passing and segregation 6. Ahmed Eisa, S., Khaled Ragab, S., ―Behaviour Of
resistance were improved with the increase Steel Fiber Reinforced High Strength Self-Compacting
in silica fume. Concrete Beams Under Combined Bending And
Torsion‖, International Journal Of Civil And Structural
2. The strength properties of SCC with silica
Engineering, Vol. 04, No 3, Issn 0976 – 4399 April
fume produced better result than the control 2014.
mix. The compression strength increased by 7. Balamuralikrishnan, R., Antony Jeyasehar, C.,
14.95% when compared the control mix by ―Flexural Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Fabrics‖,
adding 15% silica fume. 13.56% of increase The Open Civil Engineering Journal, Vol. 03, pp.102-
in split tensile strength was achieved for the 109, September 2009.
SCC mix with 15% silica fume. There is a 8. Shaishav Viradiya, R., Tarak Vora, P., ―Comparative
noticeable increased found in the flexural Study Of Experimental And Analytical Results Of FRP
Strengthened Beams In Flexure‖, IJRET: International
strength of 15% SF mix which is detected Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology,
with 15.32% betterment than that of control eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308, May 2011.
mix. 9. Dattatreya, J. K., ―Flexural behaviour of reinforced
3. The ultimate load carrying capacity was Geopolymer concrete beams‖, International Journal Of
Civil And Structural Engineering, Vol. 02, No 1, Issn
increased about 27.01% than that of control 0976 – 4399, April 2011.
mix . 10. Z.H. Yao, Z.H., ―Study On Flexural Behavior Of Fire-
4. The failure of the beam specimen is noticed Exposed Rc Beams Strengthened With SMPM‖, The
in the flexure mode, there are resemblances 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering,
pp.12-17, October 2008.
observed in load-deflection behaviour in all
beams. The test results discussed lead to
conclude the study with a prominent
observation of the improvement in the fresh
and hardened properties of SCC with 15%
replacement of silica fume .

REFERENCE
1. Suchithra, S., Malathy, R., ―Computational Analysis of
Bending Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete
Reinforced With Steel Fibers‖, International Journal of
Innovative Research in Science Engineering and
Technology, Vol. 3, Issue 4, April 2014.
2. Saifullah, I., Hossain, M.A., Uddin, S.M.K., Khan,
M.R.A., Amin, M.A., ―Nonlinear Analysis of RC
Beam for Different Shear Reinforcement Patterns by
Finite Element Analysis‖, International Journal of Civil

14141