Sorptivity behaviour of self compacting concrete made with basalt as aggregate

In recent years the strength and durability of structures are given equal importance due to the premature deterioration of RCC structures which assumed serious proportions. The durability of a concrete structure is closely associated with the permeability (Kollek 1989) of the surface layer, the one that should limit the ingress of substances that can initiate or propagate possible deleterious actions. This paper deals with the comparison of Sorptivity parameters of SCC produced for three different cementitious contents of 400kg /m3, 500kg/m3, & 600kg/m3 of SCC, using two types of aggregates Basalt & White Granite. Six mixtures of SCC investigated were designed using Absolute Volume method without the use of VMA with a constant quantity of 180 litres of water per cubic meter of SCC which results in water binder ratio of 0.3, 0.36 & 0.45. Dosage of admixture was adjusted to get the required rheology as per EFNARC Specifications. Compressive Strength and Sorptivity (durability characteristic), were tested as per relevant codal provisions. From the results of 6hr and 8 day Sorptivity of SCC as per code, it may be concluded that mixes of SCC made with two types of aggregates showed lesser resistance at 400 kg/ cum cementitious content and better resistance at cementitious contents of 500 and 600 kg/ cum of SCC for both aggregates, with Basalt showing higher resistance than White Granite. This may be due to the fact that increase in cementitious content (fines) and self compacting property of SCC reduces the void and increases packing hence results in decrease the sorption. © 2010 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved