Evaluation of the Performance of Self-Compacting Engineered Cementitious Composites (SCC-ECC) under Standard 28-day Water Curing
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study evaluates the performance of Self-Compacting Engineered Cementitious Composites (SCC-ECC) under standard 28-day water curing, aiming to develop a mixture with optimal flowability, high mechanical strength, and enhanced durability. Twenty-seven SCC-ECC mortar mixtures (without coarse aggregate) were prepared and tested according to EFNARC (2002) guidelines for self-compacting mortars. Fresh results (slump flow 240–260 mm, V-funnel 6–12 s, L-box >0.80) confirmed adequate flowability. In addition, direct tensile tests on dog-bone specimens demonstrated strain-hardening with multiple fine cracks and strain capacity exceeding 2%, verifying the ECC behavior. The mixtures were prepared with varying fly ash contents (20%, 25%, 30%), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers (1.5%–2.0%), and a high-range water-reducing admixture. The optimal mixture (R2) was identified based on superior results in compressive strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, water permeability, and elastic modulus. The selected mixture achieved compressive strength exceeding 70 MPa, flexural strength above 14 MPa, and impact energy absorption over 17,000 J, with very low chloride permeability (<750 Coulombs). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed a dense matrix and strong fiber–matrix bonding. The results demonstrate the feasibility of producing SCC-ECC with excellent fresh and hardened properties using industrial by-products and performance-enhancing additives, supporting the development of sustainable, high-performance composites for structural applications in aggressive environments.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
How to Cite
References
Abd Almajeed, S.Q., and Abbas, Z.K., 2024. Eco-friendly roller compacted concrete: a review. Journal of Engineering, 30(7), pp. 144–165. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2024.07.09.
Abid, S.R., Murali, G., Ahmad, J., Al-Ghasham, T.S., and Vatin, N.I., 2022. Repeated drop-weight impact testing of fibrous concrete: state-of-the-art literature review, analysis of results variation and test improvement suggestions. Materials, 15(11), P. 3948. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15113948
ACI 544.2R-09, 2009. Measurement of properties of fiber reinforced concrete. American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
Algalawi, N.M., and Ahmad, H.I.H., 2014. Effect of local feldspar on the properties of self-compacting concrete. Journal of Engineering, 20(9), pp. 135–146. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2014.09.10.
Al-Ameri, R.A., Özakça, M., Karataş, E.E., Göğüş, M.T., and Tanrıkulu, A.H., 2022. Drop-weight impact tests on engineered cementitious composites heated to 500 °C. Wasit Journal of Engineering Sciences, 10(2), pp. 240–251. https://doi.org/10.31185/ejuow.vol10.iss2.409.
Al-Ameri, R.A., Abid, S.R., and Özakça, M., 2022. Mechanical and impact properties of engineered cementitious composites reinforced with PP fibers at elevated temperatures. Fire, 5(1), P. 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire5010003.
Amar, Y., Ebrahem, A.A., and Fawzi, N.M., 2017. Enhancing performance of self-compacting concrete with internal curing using thermostone chips. Journal of Engineering, 23(7). https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2017.07.01.
Anasi, F.K., and M., S.K., 2020. Experimental investigation on engineered cementitious composite (ECC). International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), 7(7), pp. 1803–1808.
ASTM C618-15, 2015. Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural pozzolan for use in concrete. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0618-15.
ASTM C39-21, 2021. Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0039_C0039M-21.
ASTM C270-19, 2019. Standard specification for mortar for unit masonry. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0270-19.
ACI 318-19, 2019. Building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318-19) and commentary. American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. https://doi.org/10.14359/51716937.
ASTM C494/C494M-13, 2013. Standard specification for chemical admixtures for concrete. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0494_C0494M-13.
ASTM C348-21, 2021. Standard test method for flexural strength of hydraulic-cement mortars. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0348-21.
ASTM C469-22, 2022. Standard test method for static modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of concrete in compression. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM C1202-22, 2022. Standard test method for electrical indication of concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC), 2018. Iraqi specification No. 1703: used water in concrete. COSQC, Baghdad, Iraq.
Choucha, S., Benyahia, A., Ghrici, M., and Mansour, M.S., 2018a. Correlation between compressive strength and other properties of engineered cementitious composites with high-volume natural pozzolana. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 19(5), pp. 639–646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-018-0050-3.
COSQC (Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control) , 2019. Iraqi Standard No. 5: Portland cement – Requirements, Baghdad, Iraq.
COSQC (Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control) , 1984. Iraqi Standard No. 45: Aggregate from natural sources for concrete and construction, Baghdad, Iraq.
de Jesus, W.S., da Silva, S.F.M., de Almeida, T.M.S., Souza, M.T., Leal, E.S., Souza, R.S., Sacramento, L.A., Allaman, I.B., and Pessoa, J.R.C., 2025. Comparative study of ASTM C1202 and IBRACON/NT Build 492 testing methods for assessing chloride ion penetration in concretes using different types of cement. Buildings, 15(3), P. 302. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030302.
DIN 1048-5, 1991. Testing of concrete; hardened concrete testing. DIN – Deutsches Institut für Normung, Berlin, Germany.
Ding, Y., Yu, K., and Mao, W., 2020. Compressive performance of all-grade engineered cementitious composites: experiment and theoretical model. Construction and Building Materials, 244, P. 118357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118357.
EFNARC, 2002. The European guidelines for self-compacting concrete: specification, production and use. EFNARC, Association House, Farnham, UK.
EN 1992-1-1, 2004. Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures – part 1-1: general rules and rules for buildings. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels, Belgium.
EN 12390-8, 2019. Testing hardened concrete – part 8: depth of penetration of water under pressure. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Brussels, Belgium.
Ghafor, K., Ahmed, H.U., Faraj, R.H., Mohammed, A.S., Kurda, R., Qadir, W.S., Mahmood, W., and Abdalla, A.A., 2022. Computing models to predict the compressive strength of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) at various mix proportions. Sustainability, 14(19), P. 12876. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912876.
Krishnaraja, A.R., and Kandasamy, S., 2018. Flexural performance of hybrid engineered cementitious composite layered reinforced concrete beams. Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 62(4), pp. 921–929. https://doi.org/10.3311/ppci.11748.
Lepech, M.D., and Li, V.C., 2009. Water permeability of engineered cementitious composites. Cement and Concrete Composites, 31(10), pp. 744–753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2009.07.002.
Lepech, M.D. and Li, V.C., 2008. Large-scale processing of engineered cementitious composites. In: Eco-efficient construction and building materials. Springer, Dordrecht
Li, V.C., 2007. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC): material, structural, and durability performance. In: Nawy, E.G. (ed.), Concrete Construction Engineering Handbook. 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 24-1–24-38.
Li, V.C., 2012. Can concrete be bendable?: The notoriously brittle building material may yet stretch instead of breaking. American Scientist, 100(6), pp. 484–493. https://doi.org/10.1511/2012.100.484.
Li, V.C., and Kanda, T., 1998. Engineered cementitious composites for structural applications. In: Dhir, R.K., Henderson, N.A. and Limbachiya, M.C. (eds.), Concrete in the Service of Mankind: Concrete for Infrastructure and Utilities. E&FN Spon, London, pp. 213–223.
Li, V.C., and Li, V., 2005. Engineered cementitious composites. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Concrete and Construction Materials (CONMAT 2005), Hyderabad, India.
Murali, G., Santhi, A.S., and Ganesh, G.M., 2014. Impact resistance and strength reliability of fiber-reinforced concrete in bending under drop weight impact load. International Journal of Technology, 5(2), pp. 111–120. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v5i2.403.
Naderi, M., Kaboudan, A., and Sadighi, A.A., 2018. Comparative Study on Water Permeability of Concrete Using Cylindrical Chamber Method and British Standard and Its Relation with Compressive Strength ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT. Journal of Rehabilitation in Civil Engineering, [online] 6(1), pp. 116–131.
https://doi.org/10.22075/JRCE.2018.13489.1247.
Nalon, G.H., Martins, R.O.G., Alvarenga, R.C.S.S., Lima, G.E.S., Pedroti, L.G., and Santos, W.J., 2017. Effect of specimens’ shape and size on the determination of compressive strength and deformability of cement-lime mortars. Materials Research, 20(4), pp. 819–825. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2016-1006.
Qorllari, A., and Bier, T.A., 2022. Optimization of workability and compressive strength of self-compacting mortar using screening design. CivilEng, 3(4), pp. 998–1012. https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng3040056.
Pontes, J., Bogas, J.A., Real, S., and Silva, A., 2021. The Rapid Chloride Migration Test in Assessing the Chloride Penetration Resistance of Normal and Lightweight Concrete. Applied Sciences, 11(16), P. 7251. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167251
Raharjo, D., Subakti, A., and Tavio, 2013. Mixed concrete optimization using fly ash, silica fume and iron slag on the SCC's compressive strength. Procedia Engineering, 54, pp. 827–839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.03.076.
Safarkhani, M., and Naderi, M., 2023. Enhanced impermeability of cementitious composite by different content of graphene oxide nanoparticles. Journal of Building Engineering, 72, P. 106675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106675.
Şahmaran, M., and Li, V.C., 2009. Influence of microcracking on water absorption and sorptivity of ECC. Materials and Structures, 42(5), pp. 593–603. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-008-9406-6.
Salah, S., Fawzi, N.M., and Ahmed, I.F., 2021. Time Dependent Behavior of Engineered Cementitious Composite Concrete Produced from Portland Limestone Cement. In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. IOP Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/856/1/012016.
Salih, A.A., and Ahmed, I.F., 2013. Combined effect of fineness modulus and grading zones of fine aggregate on fresh properties and compressive strength of self-compacted concrete. Journal of Engineering, 19(6), pp. 774–785. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2013.06.09
Shen, Y., Li, Q., Huang, B., Liu, X., and Xu, S., 2022. Effects of PVA fibers on microstructures and hydration products of cementitious composites with and without fly ash. Construction and Building Materials, 360, P. 129533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129533.
Shi, C., 2004. Effect of mixing proportions of concrete on its electrical conductivity and the rapid chloride permeability test (ASTM C1202 or AASHTO T277) results. Cement and Concrete Research, 34(3), pp. 537–545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2003.09.007.
Sika Iraq (Sika Trading L.L.C.). Sika® ViscoCrete®-180 GS – Product Data Sheet. Version 04.01, December 2022.
Skutnik, Z., Sobolewski, M., and Koda, E., 2020. An experimental assessment of the water permeability of concrete with a superplasticizer and admixtures. Materials, 13(24), pp. 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13245624.
Turk, K., Kina, C., and Nehdi, M.L., 2022. Durability of Engineered Cementitious Composites Incorporating High-Volume Fly Ash and Limestone Powder. Sustainability, 14(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610388.
Wang, Q., Qi, Y., Yi, Y., and He, P., 2023. Characterizing interfacial properties of PVA fiber reinforced cementitious composites with different mechanical properties. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4501186.
Wu, H., Yu, J., Zhou, J., Li, W., and Leung, C.K.Y., 2021. Experimental study on chloride-induced corrosion of soil nail with engineered cementitious composites (Ecc) grout. Infrastructures, 6(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures6110161.
Xiong, Y., Yang, Y., Fang, S., Wu, D., and Tang, Y., 2021. Experimental research on compressive and shrinkage properties of ECC containing ceramic wastes under different curing conditions. Frontiers in Materials, 8, P. 727273. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2021.727273.
Yaseen, N., Sahar, U., Bahrami, A., Saleem, M.M., Iqbal, M.A., and Siddique, I., 2023. Synergistic impacts of fly ash and sugarcane bagasse ash on performance of polyvinyl alcohol fiber-reinforced engineered cementitious composites. Results in Materials, 20, P. 100490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinma.2023.100490.
Zhang, P., Li, Q.F., Wang, J., Shi, Y., and Ling, Y.F., 2019. Effect of PVA fiber on durability of cementitious composite containing nano-SiO2. Nanotechnology Reviews, 8(1), pp. 116–127. https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2019-0011.
Zhang, P., Sun, X., Wei, J., Wang, J., and Gao, Z., 2023a. Influence of PVA fibers on the durability of cementitious composites under the wet-heat-salt coupling environment. Reviews on Advanced Materials Science, 62(1), P. 20230155. https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2023-0155.
Zhang, S., He, S., Ghiassi, B., van Breugel, K., and Ye, G., 2023b. Interface bonding properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber in alkali-activated slag/fly ash. Cement and Concrete Research, 173, P. 107308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107308.