Effects of cube size and placement direction on compressive strength of self-consolidating concrete

• Size effects of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) cube were investigated.
• A comprehensive experimental program has been conducted.
• Effects of placement and loading directions on the mechanical properties were considered.
• The Least-Square Method (LSM) was employed for the results.
• Parameters pertaining to modified size effect law for SCC were evaluated.

An experimental program has been carried out to investigate the influences of cube size and placement direction on the compressive strength of self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Three types of SCC mixtures were designated and cast in cube molds with various sizes. Results of compressive strength test on cured specimens were used in regression analyses to obtain equations for prediction of compressive strength regarding the influences of size and placement direction. The strength ratio of standard cylindrical to cube specimen with normal placement and loading direction was lower than that with parallel placement and loading direction. Influence of placement direction is more significant than size effect for SCC specimens. The strength ratio of standard cylindrical to cube specimen for SCC is slightly lower than that of traditional concrete. Also, effect of placement and loading directions on the strengths in SCC specimen is more significant compared with traditional concrete specimen.