On the early-age behavior of zero-slump concrete

This paper presents experimental investigations and analyses on the early-age-behavior of zero-slump concrete, such as compaction behavior and green-strength. First, the influence of the granulometric properties of the fines is discussed in detail. For this purpose, the early-age behavior of two different fines (quartz flour and fly ash) is investigated by means of the intensive compaction test (IC-test). The tests on the influence of the fines focus on effects caused by differences in the particle shape and the use of a plasticizing admixture. The conducted tests on the compaction behavior of the fines and their corresponding green-strength are extended to continuously graded granular mixes. Here, the influence of optimized particle packing on the early-age behavior is presented and a comparison on the basis of the aforementioned quartz flour and fly ash is made. In this consideration, experimental investigations on the early-age behavior of a zero-slump concrete mix and possible effects on the hardened concrete properties are included.