MASS CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION USING SELF-COMPACTING MORTAR

Abstract

Risk of thermal cracking is a well-known problem in mass concrete structures. One of the steps in mitigating this problem is to keep the initial placement temperature of concrete as low as possible. From this standpoint, Preplaced Aggregate Concrete (PAC) is advantageous because the friction among the coarse aggregate particles during the mixing operation causes the initial temperature of concrete to rise. Making PAC by the conventional method of grout injection requires special equipment and skilled workers. An alternative method using a self-compacting mortar for grouting preplaced aggregate was investigated in this study. Using different concrete compositions made with locally available cementitious materials and aggregate fractions, massive concrete cubes, each 1 m.were prepared. The specimens were tested for thermal and mechanical properties. In addition to low temperature rise that is suitable for mass concrete, the PAC method produced concrete specimens with compressive strength and modulus of elasticity values comparable to conventional concrete.