Shrinkage and Fracture Properties of Semiflowable Self-Consolidating Concrete

Abstract

Shrinkage behavior and fracture properties of five semiflowable self-consolidating concrete (SFSCC) mixes are studied, and their results are compared with those of conventional pavement concrete. In the study, prism tests were employed to evaluate concrete free shrinkage behavior. Restrained ring tests were performed to assess concrete cracking potential. In addition, unrestrained ring tests were conducted and compared with the restrained ring tests. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, and notched beam fracture properties of the concretes were tested at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. The results indicate that the rates of shrinkage of SFSCCs are generally higher than those of conventional pavement concrete. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and critical stress intensity factor of SFSCCs are comparable to those of conventional pavement concrete, but elastic modulus of SFSCCs is lower than that of conventional pavement concrete. With a higher shrinkage stress-to-fracture strength ratio, SFSCC mixes have higher potential for shrinkage-induced cracking than conventional pavement concrete. The use of a clay additive, purified magnesium alumino silicate, further increases the rate of SFSCC shrinkage.