Physical and mechanical properties of polymer modified self-compacting concrete (SCC) using natural and recycled aggregates

Abstract

The study researched the effectiveness of four polymer admixtures (3%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of water weight) on the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) cast using recycled and natural aggregates. Results show that polymer additives had positive effects on the fresh properties of SCC using recycled aggregates. Incorporating polymer additives increased the filling ability of concrete by more than four times. All polymer modified SCCs had a 100% passing ability compared to the 80% passing ability of the control samples. The compressive strength of materials at similar polymer ratios decreased by about 50% when natural aggregates were replaced with recycled aggregates. The flexural strength of SCC including recycled aggregates with 15% polymer was maintained compared to the control SCC including natural aggregates. The addition of 15% polymer to recycled aggregates concrete could improve workability and maintain flexural strength.

Keywords:

• SCC
• polymer modified
• workability
• compressive strength
• flexural strength
• SEM
• EDS

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the support, help and guidance of Dr Bob Abtahi, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for Infrastructure Engineering, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.