RESEARCH PAPER

International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 6, May 2009

Incorporating European Standards for Testing

Self Compacting Concrete in Indian Conditions
Dr. Hemant Sood1, Dr.R.K.Khitoliya2 and S. S. Pathak1
1
Dept. of Civil Engineering, N.I.T.T.T.R; Chandigarh, INDIA
sood_hemant@yahoo.co.in
2
Dept. of Civil Engineering, Panjab Engg. College, Chandigarh, INDIA
r_khit_2000@yahoo.com, sspathak28@gmail.com

Abstract— Concrete is a vital ingredient in infrastructure self-levels, does not segregate and does not entrap air is
development with its versatile and extensive applications. termed self-compacting concrete (SCC).
The Indian construction industry today is consuming about For concrete to be self-compacting it should have
400 million tons of concrete every year and is expected to filling ability, passing ability and resistance against
reach a billion tons in less than a decade. It is the most segregation. Self compactability is obtained by limiting
widely used construction material because of its
mouldability into any required structural form and shape
the coarse aggregate content and using lower water–
due to its fluid behaviour at early ages. However, there is a powder ratio together with superplasticizers (SP).
limit to the fluid behaviour of normal fresh concrete.
Thorough compaction, using vibration, is normally essential II. TESTING OF SCC
for achieving workability, the required strength and
durability of concrete. Inadequate compaction of concrete Inspite of excellent rheological and durability
results in large number of voids, affecting performance and properties wide spread applications of SCC have been
long term durability of structures. Self-compacting concrete restricted due to lack of standard mix design procedure
(SCC) provides a solution to these problems. As the name and testing methods. It is important to mention that none
signifies, it is able to compact itself without any additional of the test methods for SCC have yet been standardised
vibration or compactive effort. However, wide spread and included in Indian Standard Code for the present. The
applications of SCC have been restricted due to lack of following are some of the features of self compacting
standard mix design procedure and testing methods. It is concrete mentioned in Indian Standard code IS 456-2000.
pertinent to mention that only features of SCC have been
1. Slump flow: Minimum 600 mm.
included in Indian Standard Code for the present. Slump
flow test, L-box test, V-funnel test, U-box test, Orimet test & 2. Sufficient amount of fines (<0.125 mm) preferably in
GTM Screen test are recommended by EFNARC (European the range of 400 kg/m3 to 600 kg/m3. This can be
Federation for Specialist Construction Chemicals and achieved by having sand content more than 38% and
Concrete system) for determining properties of SCC in fresh using mineral admixture to the order of 25 to 50% by
state. This paper highlights the use of European standards mass of cementitious materials.
by various researchers for testing Self compacting concrete 3. Use of high range water reducing (HRWR) admixture
in Indian conditions. The paper presents the experimental and viscosity modifying agent (VMA) in appropriate
investigation of Self Compacting Concrete using Flyash and dosages is permitted.
Rice husk ash as mineral admixtures and testing rheological
In Norway “Guidelines for production and use of self-
properties as per European Standards
compacting concrete-2002” is used for development of
Index Terms—Self compacting concrete, Rice husk ash, SCC. In Sweden “Self-compacting concrete
Flyash Recommendations for use-2002” is referred for
development of SCC. Germany has developed “Self
I. INTRODUCTION Compacting Concrete-2001” as guidelines for SCC. “The
European Guidelines for SCC- 2005”were developed by
With growing population, industrialization, EFNARC (European Federation of Specialist
urbanization and globalization, there is corresponding Construction Chemicals and Concrete Systems.). Kai
growth in the demand for infrastructure. During the 20th Westphal [1] has carried out comparison of these
century, concrete has emerged as the material of choice guidelines which are reproduced under Table I.
for modern infrastructural needs. It has occupied a unique European guidelines [2] for testing, covers number of
position among modern construction materials. It gives parameters ranging from material selection, mixture
considerable freedom to the architect to mould structural designs and testing methods like Slump flow test, L-box
elements to any shape. Almost all concretes rely critically test, V-funnel test, U-box test, Orimet test and GTM
on being fully compacted. Insufficient compaction screen stability test as recommended by EFNARC for
dramatically lowers ultimate performance of concrete determining properties of SCC in fresh state. Most of
inspite of good mix design. As concrete is produced and Indian researchers are following these guidelines to
placed at construction sites, under conditions far from determine the rheological properties of SCC mixes.
ideal, it often ends up with unpleasant results.
Concrete that is capable of compaction under its own
weight and can occupy all the spaces in the forms, which
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International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 6, May 2009

TABLE I Praveen Kumar et al. [7] used stone crusher dust partially
COMPARISON OF GUIDELINES FOR SCC
replacing aggregates to obtain SCC. In all the above
investigations European standards were followed for
Sr. Description ENFARC Norway Sweden Germany
No. determining rheological properties of Self compacting
Country concrete. Results of above mentioned investigations are
1 Slump 550-850 600- NA >750 reproduced in Table II.
Flow (mm) 750
2 V Funnel 2-5 NA NA NA
(Sec)
IV. TESTING METHODS OF SCC
3 L- Box 0.8 -1 NA 0.8- NA Different methods have been developed to characterize
( h2/h1) 0.85
4 U- Box 0-30 NA NA NA the rheological properties of SCC. No single method has
(h2-h1) (mm) been found until date, which characterizes all the relevant
5 Orimet 0-5 NA NA NA workability aspects. Each mix has been tested by more
Test than one test method for the different workability
(Second)
6 GTM- 0-15 NA NA NA
parameters. Following are the tests recommended by
Stability European guidelines.
(%) A. Slump flow Test - The slump flow test is used to
7 Aggregate 12-20 < 16 < 16 < 16 assess the horizontal free flow of SCC in the absence of
Size (mm) obstructions. The test also indicates resistance to
*NA- Not Available
segregation. On lifting the slump cone, filled with
concrete the average diameter of spread of the concrete is
III. INDIAN SCENARIO OF SCC
measured. It indicates the filling ability of the concrete.
In India, the development of concrete possessing self- B. V-Funnel Test- The flowability of the fresh
compacting properties is still very much in its infancy. concrete can be tested with the V-funnel test, whereby the
During the last couple of years, few attempts were made flow time is measured. The funnel is filled with about 12
using European Guidelines for testing SCC in the litres of concrete and the time taken for it to flow through
laboratories and in the field. As mentioned by M. S. the apparatus is measured. Shorter flow time indicate
Shetty [3] SCC was used by Nuclear Power Corporation greater flowability.
of India Ltd. at Tarapur, Kaiga and Rajasthan Atomic C. L-Box Test - This is a widely used test, suitable
Power Project (RAPP). Some pioneering efforts have for laboratory and site use. It assesses filling and passing
been made in Delhi Metro Project. Debashis Das et al. [4] ability of SCC and serious lack of stability (segregation)
have carried out experimental investigation of SCC using can be detected visually. The vertical section of the L-
Micro-silica and flyash from Thermal Power Plant, Box is filled with concrete, and then the gate is lifted to
Dadari (Delhi).Vengala et al. [5] developed SCC using let the concrete flow into the horizontal section. Blocking
flyash from Thermal Power Station, Silchar (Karnataka, ratio (i.e. is ratio of the height of the concrete at the end
India). Naveen Kumar et al. [6] developed SCC using of the horizontal section (h2) to height of concrete at
blend of flyash and metakaolin. beginning of horizontal section (h1)) is determined.

TABLE II
COMPARISON OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE CASE STUDIES IN INDIA

Sr. Particulars Delhi Metro Tarapur Kaiga RAPP Debashis Vengala Naveen Praveen
No. Project Project Project 5&6 Das et al. et al. Kumar et al. Kumar et al.
1 Cement (Kg/m3) 330 300 225 225 291.2 431 450 250
2 Flyash (Kg/m3) 150 200 225 225 291.2 163.78 66 350
3 Micro Silica (Kg/m3) 0 25 0 0 14.6 0 0 18.75
4 Metakaolin (Kg/m3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 82 0
4 Sand (Kg/m3) 917 976 1024 988 1062.2 849 789 935
5 Aggregate (Kg/m3) 764 664 762 624 455.2 650 664 623
6 Water (Kg/m3) 163 175 165 180 186.3 241 225 160.9
7 Superplasticizer 2.4 % 2.4 % 1.80 Kg/m 3
4.0 10 Kg/m 3
0.65% 0.5% 2.3%
Rheological Properties
8 Slump Flow( mm) 680 686 700 735 670 635 720 630
9 V Funnel Test (Seconds) 8 14 8.3 7.6 14 3.5 6.3 -
10 L- Box Test 0.91 0.95 0.92 0.8 - 0.85 10 6.2
11 U- Box Test (mm) NA 10 9.6 12 10 12.2 0.9 10
Compressive Strength
12 7 Days
*NA- Not Strength(
AvailableMPa) 33 48.06 40 36.22 30 38 25.27 23.5
13 28 days Strength (MPa) 44 56.93 51.3 43.69 50.1 51.2 47.57 32.6

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International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 6, May 2009

It indicates passing ability of concrete or the degree to TABLE IV

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATES
which the passage of concrete through the bars is
restricted. Sr. Property Results Obtained
D. U-Box Test- The test is used to measure the No. Coarse Fine
filling and passing ability of self-compacting concrete. Aggregate Aggregate
The apparatus consists of a U shape vessel that is divided 1 Specific Gravity 2.68 2.62
2 Loose Bulk 1480 1525
by a middle wall into two compartments. The U-box test
Density (Kg/m3 )
indicates degree of compactability in terms of filling 3 Packed Bulk 1604 1629
height i.e. (h1-h2), difference of height of concrete attained Density (Kg/m3)
in two compartment of U-box.
E. Orimet Test- Orimet test is able to simulate the Flyash and RHA used for investigation have 5 % fines
flow of fresh concrete during actual placing on sites. The passing through 45 micron sieve size. Locally available
Orimet apparatus is filled with about 8 litres of concrete natural sand with 4.75 mm maximum size has been used
and the time taken for it to flow through the apparatus is as fine aggregate, with properties like specific gravity and
measured. bulk density as given in Table IV. The physical properties
F. GTM Screen Stability Test- GTM screen of crushed stone aggregate (coarse aggregate) having
stability test is a very effective way of assessing the 20mm maximum size are given in Table IV. A
stability of SCC. It consists of taking a sample of 10 litre polycarboxylic based ether based superplasticizer
of concrete, allowing it to stand for a period to allow any Glenium B233 has been used in present research work.
internal segregation to occur, then pouring it on to a 5mm Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to
sieve of 350mm diameter. After two minutes, the mortar study the surface structure of the flyash and Rice husk
which passed through the sieve is weighed and expressed ash. The smooth and clean surface of flyash ash
as a percentage of the weight of the original sample on (Figure 1) is clearly visible in micrograph. Presence of
the sieve (i.e. Segregation Ratio). ample number of small spherical particles of flyash
enhances the flowability of concrete. The scanning
V. PROPOSED WORK AND EXPERIMENTAL electron micrograph of Rice husk (Figure 2) shows
INVESTIGATION angular particles having a rough texture which may affect
Presently self compacting concrete is used as a special the flowability of SCC.
concrete rather than standard concrete all over the world. Using Japanese method of mix design as reference,
One of the bottlenecks in the use of self compacting initial mix design for the proposed study was carried out
concrete as a standard concrete is its economical viability. at coarse aggregate content of 37% by volume of concrete
Self compacting concrete requires large quantity of and fine aggregate content of 47% by volume of mortar
powder or filler material. In order to arrive at the in concrete, the water/powder(W/P) ratio was kept at 0.78
economical SCC, it is proposed to incorporate industrial (by volume). The dosage of superplasticizer was
by products as filler which will limit the use of Portland estimated to be from 1.5 to 3.0 % of powder content
cement. It shall not only reduce the cost of SCC but shall (Cement, Flyash and Rice husk ash) from Flow Cone test
provide solution to disposal problems and other trials on cement mortar containing flyash and rice husk
environmental pollution created by these wastes. ash. On this basis trial mix SCC1 was designed with
The proposed study is being carried out to develop self superplasticizer content of 1.5%. However, unsatisfactory
compacting concrete using Rice husk ash and flyash in
varying combinations for use in the Indian conditions
satisfying European Standards for rheological properties
of concrete in fresh state. OPC 43 grade cement, flyash
from Guru Gobindsingh Super Thermal Power Station,
Ropar, India and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) from Punjab
Industrial area are being used for experimental
investigation. Specific gravity of flyash and RHA
determined was 2.08 and 2.06 respectively. The chemical Figure 1: Scanning Electron Micrograph of Flyash
characteristics of flyash and RHA are given in Table III.
TABLE III
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF RHA AND FLYASH

Constituents Rice Husk Flyash From GGSTP,

Ash (%) Ropar (%)
SiO2 86.01 60.53
Al2 O3 01.40 27.27
Fe2 O3 00.01 04.18
CaO 01.90 01.04
MgO 0 00.40 Figure 2: Scanning Electron Micrograph of Rice Husk Ash
Loss on ignition 05.66 2.11

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International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 6, May 2009

slump flow and high segregation was observed in the trial

TABLE VI
mix. Mix could not satisfy V-funnel and L-box tests. PROPERTIES OF SCC
Hence, superplasticizer content for subsequent mixes was
increased to 2 % with increased water powder ratio till all
mixes satisfied acceptance criteria for rheological SCC Slump V- L- GTM Compressive
Mix Flow funnel box Screen strength
properties of SCC as laid down by EFNARC. Total mm Flow h2/h1 Test (MPa)
powder content (Cement, Flyash and Rice husk ash) was Time (SR)
kept constant at 600 Kg/m3 with varying content of flyash in % 7 28
and RHA. The mix proportion used in the proposed study Second days days
are shown in Table V. SCC1 400 15 0.78 20 14 24
SCC2 735 8 1.0 15 28 38
As per EFNARC guidelines Slump flow test, V-funnel SCC3 670 9 0.95 12 25 37
test, L-box test and GTM screen stability test stability test SCC4 650 10 0.90 10 24 28
are being carried out to determine the properties of SCC SCC5 615 12 0.89 5 23.56 27
SCC6 750 10 0.90 10 25 41
in fresh state. Compressive strength at the ages of 7, and
28 days was also determined. The properties of SCC *SR-Segregation Ratio

mixes as obtained in trial mixes are reproduced in Table From the above discussions, it can be concluded that
VI. Mix SCC1 does not fulfill all the requirements of the
SCC mix whereas SCC2 to SCC6 satisfy all the
VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS properties of SCC mixes. Addition of flyash in mix
As mentioned earlier Mix SCC1 did not fulfill the increases filling and passing ability of concrete, whereas
requirement of SCC. The rheological characteristics of rice husk ash imparts viscosity to concrete improving
mixes SCC2 to SCC6 are discussed below. segregation resistance of concrete mix. Flyash and RHA
The slump flow characteristics of the mixtures are blend well to improve the rheological properties of Self
between 615 and 750 mm, which satisfies the EFNARC compacting concrete.
requirement. Slump flow improves with the increase in
Flyash and decrease in Rice husk ash content. As far as VII. CONCLUSION
filling ability of the mixes was concerned, the results of Based on this experimentation, following conclusions are
V-funnel test satisfied the standard requirements. drawn.
V-Funnel time increases from 8 to 12 seconds with 1. Establishment of standard mix design procedure and
increasing Rice husk ash content indicating increase in appropriate testing methods is essential for
viscosity of concrete. The blocking ratios in the L - box widespread use of SCC. Most of Indian researchers
test were as per the requirement of SCC mixes as laid have followed European guidelines for testing SCC.
down by EFNARC guidelines. Segregation ratio of trial Other countries are adopting these guidelines with
mixes were from 5 to 15 % as per requirements of SCC. slight modifications as per their local conditions.
From 7 days and 28 days compressive strength results, it 2. Addition of flyash in SCC increases filling and
has been observed that increase in Rice husk ash content passing ability of concrete, whereas rice husk ash
in mixes (SCC2 to SCC5) from 7.5 kg/m3 to 30 kg/m3 imparts viscosity to concrete improving segregation
increases water requirement of mixes, decreasing 7 days resistance of concrete mix. From this experimental
strength from 28 to 23.56 MPa and 28 days the strength study it can be inferred that Flyash and RHA blend
of concrete from 38 MPa to 27 MPa.The ambient well improving overall workability, which is the
temperature during study was in the range of 100 to 120C. prime important characteristics of SCC.
This retards strength gain of concrete. Higher ambient 3. Increase in Rice husk ash content in SCC increases
temperature conditions could have been helped in better water demand reducing compressive strength of
gain in concrete strength. Hence, higher strength could concrete. In the present investigation increase in Rice
have been achieved in case of normal temperature of husk ash content from 7.5 kg/m3 to 30 kg/m3, raises
270C. the water requirement of mix, thereby decreasing the
TABLE V 28 days the strength of concrete from 38 MPa to 27
MIX PROPORTIONS OF SCC MPa.
4. Rice husk ash is agro waste where as flyash is
W/P industrial waste from thermal power station.
SCC Cement FLA RHA FA CA Water Ratio
Mix (By
Utilization of these waste products as cement
Volume) replacement will not only help to achieve economical
SCC1 360 216 24 951 583 180 0.78 SCC mix, but it is envisaged that it may improve the
SCC2 450 142.5 7.5 920 614 210 0.98 microstructure and consequently the durability of
SCC3 450 135 15 920 614 215 1.00 concrete. This provides solution to disposal problems
SCC4 450 127.5 22.5 920 614 225 1.05
and other environmental pollution created by these
SCC5 450 120 30 920 614 225 1.05
SCC6 420 162 18 951 583 240 1.09 waste.
* FLA-Fly Ash, RHA- Rice Husk Ash, FA- Fine Aggregate, CA- Coarse Aggregate,

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International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 6, May 2009

5. Utilization of flyash and Rice husk ash as cement

replacement avoids the environmental and ecological
damages caused by quarrying and exploitation of raw
materials like limestone for making cement.
Substitution of these waste materials with cement
shall also help to conserve the valuable natural
resources.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors acknowledge D-BASF Pvt. Ltd, Chandigarh

Branch for providing superplasticizers for the
experimental work.

REFERENCES

[1] Kai Westphal, “Comparison of Guidelines for SCC”,

Nordic SCC- Net Workshop, 19-06-2006.
[2] The European Guidelines for Self-Compacting Concrete
Specification, Production and Use, May2005.
[3] M.S.Shetty, Book of “Concrete Technology”, pp.575-593.
[4] Debashis Das, V. K. Gupta and S.K. Kaushik, “Effect of
Maximum Size and Volume of Coarse Aggregate on the
Properties of SCC”, The Indian Concrete Journal, March
2006, pp.53-56.
[5] Jagdish Vengala, M.S., Sudarshan and R.V. Ranganath
“Experimental Study for Obtaining Self Compacting
Concrete”, The Indian Concrete Journal, August 2003,
pp.1261-1266.
[6] Naveen Kumar, Kiran V. John, Jagdish Vengala and R.V.
Ranganath, “Self Compacting Concrete With Flyash And
Metakaolin ”, The Indian Concrete Journal, April 2006,
pp.1261-1266.
[7] Praveen Kumar and S.K. Kaushik, “SCC with crusher dust,
flyash and micro-silica”, The Indian Concrete Journal,
August 2005, pp.53-56.
[8] M. Shobha, D. Harish Mohan and P. S. N. Raju,
“Aggregate size and behaviour of self-compacting
concrete”, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil
Engineers, Construction Materials 159, November 2006,
pp.147–152

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