Effect of Calcium Carbonate Powder on Flowing Performances and Compressive Strength of Lightweight Aggregate Self-Compacting Concrete (LWASCC)

Abstract

This research presents the effect of the use of calcium carbonate powder, as a cement replacement material, on flowing performances and compressive strength of self-compacting concrete incorporating lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) as coarse aggregate. In the experiment, calcium carbonate powder was used to replaced ordinary Portland cement at the ratio of 20, 35 and 50 percent by volume of total binder. The investigated concrete properties included slump flow diameter, slump flow time to 500  (T₅₀₀), V-funnel flow time, L-box H2/H1 passing index, and compressive strength of the concrete. The results revealed that the use of calcium carbonate powder to replace part of Portland cement resulted in lower flowing performances of LWASCC. The slump flow diameter and H2/H1 passing index decreased, while T₅₀₀ and V-funnel flow time increased with calcium carbonate replacement ratio. All LWASCC containing calcium carbonate powder exhibited higher compressive strength at 7 days than the control concrete. The dosage of calcium carbonate that yielded the highest strength was 20 percent.