Influence of supplementary cementitious materials on engineering properties of high strength concrete

The influence of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), namely silica fume, metakaolin, fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag, on the engineering properties of high strength concrete (HSC) has been investigated in this study. Workability, compressive strength, elastic modulus, porosity and pore size distribution were assessed in order to quantify the effects of the different materials. The results show that the inclusion of the different SCMs has considerable influence on the workability of HSC. Silica fume and metakaolin significantly enhanced the strength of HSC. Fly ash reduced the early-age strength; however, it enhanced the long-term strength of the HSC. Likewise, ground granulated blast-furnace slag impaired the early-age strength, but marginally improved the long-term strength at low replacement levels. The general effect of the different SCMs on the elastic modulus of HSC is rather small compared to their effect on strength. There are good correlations between both static and dynamic moduli and compressive strength. The EC 2 and ACI 209 provide a good estimate of static modulus of elasticity from compressive strength, while the BS8110 gives a good estimate of static modulus of elasticity from dynamic modulus of HSC containing the different SCMs. Porosity and pore size were reduced with the addition of the different SCMs. The volume of mesopores in the ranges of <15 nm and 15 – 30 nm was notably increased for HSC containing SCMs, whereas the percentage of macropores was significantly reduced.

Research highlights
► The influence of different supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on engineering properties of HSC was assessed.
► Workability, strength and pore structure of HSC were significantly affected with the inclusion of the different SCMs.
► The accuracy of standard prediction models in estimating elastic modulus of HSC containing SCMs was evaluated.