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INVACO2: International Seminar, INNOVATION & VALORIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
N° : 1O-339 KHATIB J M,University of Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

Water Absorption by Capillary Action of Self-Compacting Concrete containing Fly Ash

J M Khatib*,
School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK,
Email:
A Y Shaaban,
Senior Engineer, Al-Waha Oil Company, PO Box 395, Tripoli, Libya
B Menadi, S Kenai,
Geomaterials Laboratory, Civil Engineering Department, University of Blida, Algeria

Abstract
The influence of including fly ash (FA) on the capillary water absorption and other properties of
self-compacting concrete (SCC) is investigated. Portland cement (PC) was partially replaced by
0-80% FA (in increments of 20). The water to binder ratio was maintained at 0.36 for all mixes.
The studied properties include workability, capillary water absorption, compressive strength and
ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results indicate that there is reduction in compressive strength as
the percentage of fly ash is a partial replacement of cement increases. This is also the case for
ultrasonic pulse velocity data. However acceptable strength with the inclusion of fly ash is
achieved at 7 days of curing. The total water absorption increases with the increase of fly ash.
However, this inclusion up to 40% replacement level did not show greater difference in capillary
water absorption compared to the control mix. This suggests that using fly ash in self-compacting
concrete is beneficial. However at a replacement level of 80%, the rate of water absorption is
higher than the other mixes.

Keywords: Absorption, capillary water absorption, fly ash, self-compacting concrete, strength,
ultrasonic pulse velocity.

1. INTRODUCTION
There has been an increasing interest in the use of self-compacting concrete (SCC) in recent
years as it can offer various advantages. These include the pumping of concrete to a great height,
the flow through congested reinforcing bars under the concrete self-weight, a reduction in
construction time, labour cost and noise level on the construction site. In addition SCC can allow
the construction of more slender building elements [1] (Holton, 2004). The use of chemical
admixtures in the production of SCC is necessary in order to increase the workability and reduce
segregation. Also the content of fine aggregate (i.e. sand) is higher than those of normal concrete.
In addition to the larger content of sand, there are normally larger amounts of fine particles in
SCC such as, blast furnace slag, fly ash and lime powder in order to avoid gravity segregation of
larger particles [2-4] (Nagamato and Ozava 1997, Okamura and Onchi 1999, Goodier 2003).

It is well established that the use of fly ash (FA) in concrete increases the workability and contributes
towards long-term strength. The incorporation of FA reduces the need of SP necessary to obtain a similar
slump flow compared with the concrete containing only cement as binder [5] (Sonebi and Batros 2002).
The strength and shrinkage of SCC containing high volume FA were found to be similar to that of normal
concrete. Also the shrinkage was not noticeably different from that of traditional concrete. The results
were based at varying water to binder ratios [6] (Persson 2001).

Some of the mechanical properties of SCC containing fly ash have been reported in a previous
investigation [7] (Khatib, 2008). The focus of the current investigation is on the water absorption
coefficient of SCC containing FA at constant water to binder (PC+FA) ratio of 0.36. Also workability,
density, compressive strength, absorption and ultrasonic pulse velocity were determined.
---------------------------------------
* Khatib, J.M: email: j.m.khatib@wlv.ac.uk

Morocco – Rabat / November 23-25, 2011 1

INVACO2: International Seminar, INNOVATION & VALORIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
N° : 1O-339 KHATIB J M,University of Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

2. EXPERIMENTAL

2.1. Materials
The constituents of mixes were Portland cement (PC), fly ash (FA), water, fine aggregate (i.e. sand) and
coarse aggregate. The PC and FA complied with EN 197-1 and EN 450 respectively. The fine aggregate
conformed to class M of BS 882: 1992, and 10 mm nominal size crushed and washed was used as coarse
aggregate. The admixture (AD) used to produce self-compacting concrete was a liquid based on a
modified synthetic carboxylated polymer. The AD conformed to Types A and F Admixtures of BS 5075
Parts 1 & 3 and EN 934-2:2000 with a relative density of 1.08. Composition of PC and FA is given in
Table 1.

2.2. Mix Proportions

Total of 8 mixes were made to investigate the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with and
without fly ash (FA). Properties investigated were, workability using the flow table, density, compressive
strength, absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity and shrinkage (length change). The control mixes M1-M3
had a proportion of 1 (PC): 1.75 (fine aggregate): 1.75 (coarse aggregate) without the inclusion of FA.
Three different dosages of admixtures (AD) were used for these control mixes. The dosages of AD were
0.6, 0.7 and 1.0% (by mass of PC) for mixes M1, M2 and M3 respectively. In mixes M4-M7, PC was
partially replaced with 20, 40, 60 and 80% FA (% by mass of binder), respectively. The binder (b)
consists of PC and FA. The dosage of AD for these mixes was 0.7% (by mass of binder). The water to
binder (w/b) ratio for all mixes was maintained constant at 0.36 and no adjustment to the water content
was made for mixes containing FA.

2.3. Casting, Curing and Testing

Cubes of 100mm in size were used for the determination of density, compressive strength,
absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity (V) and length change. For each mix, 18 cubes and 2 prisms
were cast. Workability test using the flow table was conducted as per BS 1881, Part 105: 1984.
The table had dimensions of 700mm x 700mm and these are the minimum recommended
dimensions [8, 9] (Domone 1996, EFNARC 2002). Specimens (cubes and prisms) were then cast
in steel moulds and were not subjected to any compaction other than their own self-weights. The
specimens were kept covered in a controlled chamber at 20±2oC for 24 hours until demoulding.
Thereafter, cubes were placed in water at 20oC. The prisms, however, were left to air cure in a
controlled chamber at 20oC and 60% RH. Testing included density, compressive strength, total
absorption, absorption by capillary and ultrasonic pulse velocity (V). All specimens were cured
for 7days.

Table 1: Chemical Composition of Portland cement and Fly Ash in (%)

SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO SO3 Na2O K2O SSB
(m2/kg)
Portland 20.2 4.2 2 63.9 2.1 3 0.14 0.68 368
cement
Fly Ash 50.5 24.7 7.4 2.6 1.5 0.8 0.8 3.0 356

After the required curing period, each cube was cut into two slices. The area of each half section
is 100mmx100mm and the thickness is approximately 50mm. After the sampling procedure,
samples (i.e. slices) were dried in an oven at 80±5°C for 72 hours. The specimens were then
cooled in an airtight container at 20±1°C prior to testing. For the determination of water
absorption (WA) by total immersion, the dry mass (Md) for each sample was recorded and then
totally immersed (shallow immersion) in water at 20°C until they achieved a constant mass (Ms).

Morocco – Rabat / November 23-25, 2011 2

INVACO2: International Seminar, INNOVATION & VALORIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
N° : 1O-339 KHATIB J M,University of Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

Ms was taken as the saturated mass. This took up to 72 hours. The water absorption (WA) was
then calculated by the following formula:
Ms −Md 
WA (%) = 100 ×   (Eq. 1)
 Md 
The capillary rise test was conducted at 20±2°C and 60±5% RH. Dried slices were placed on supports in a
shallow tray and water was added slowly until the water level was about 1.5mm above the base of the
sample in contact with water. The increase in sample mass was measured at regular intervals. The mass of
water absorbed per unit area was plotted against the square root of time. The initial slope of the line is
taken as the water absorption coefficient (WAC). Further details about the test are reported elsewhere [10]
(Khatib and Clay 2004). For each of the absorption tests (WA and WAC), two slices were tested at each
age and the average was taken to represent the absorption value. The absorption values were within ± 5%
of the average. The method for determining the density, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity
was according to BS1881, Part 114:1983, Part 116: 1983 and Part 217: 1983 respectively.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Workability
All mixes exhibited high workability, in that the flow spread (i.e. diameter) for all mixes was in excess of
700mm. These values are higher than those indicating elsewhere [5] (Sonebi 2004]. Slump flow of
650±50mm is required for SCC [9] (EFNARC 2002), and all the mixes under investigation fall in this
category. Visual examination of mixes containing FA suggest that there was further increase in
workability, as demonstrated by the ease of flow in the moulds, compared with the control mixture. It is
well established that the use of FA in concrete reduces the water demand for a given workability.
Therefore, concrete containing FA will cause an increase in workability at constant water to binder ratio.
3.2. Density
Density values for all mixes at 7 days curing are shown in Figure 1. Each density value represents the
average density of 3 specimens. The incorporation of increasing amounts of FA in concrete causes a
systematic reduction in density, mainly resulting from the lower density of FA compared with PC.
Although the mix proportions of SCC are different than those of traditional concrete, it is worth noting
that the density values of SCC are similar or slightly lower than those of traditional vibrated concrete [11]
(Khatib 2005), indicating the good compaction of SCC.

3.3. Absorption
The influence of varying amount of fly ash on total water absorption at 7 days of curing and at
different immersion times is shown in Figure 2. There is systematic increase in absorption with
increasing FA content. At 30 min immersion, all concretes (except the 80% fly ash mix, had
absorption of less than 4%, which is considered to be a medium water absorption [12] (Concrete
Society 1988). Only the 80% fly ash mix show large absorption values compared with the other
mixes. Generally, the absorption values for all mixes are lower than those reported in another
investigation [10] (Khatib and Clay 2004). The water absorbed by capillary action during the first
60 minutes for the various concrete mixes is shown in Figures 3. The amount of water absorbed
is generally higher when mixes contain increasing amounts of fly ash up to 80% partial
replacement of cement. Also the rate of water absorption, as described by the slope of the initial
part of the curve, increases as the fly ash in the mix increases. This slope is referred to as the
capillary water coefficient and further information about its determination is given elsewhere
[13] (Mangat and Khatib 1995). The water absorption coefficient is related to the open pore and
the diameters of such pores. This increase in water absorption coefficient with the increase in fly
ash content is clearly demonstrated in Figure 3. However, it must be noticed that this increase is
not clearly apparent when up to 40% of cement is replaced with fly ash. In other words replacing
up to 40% of cement with fly ash does not cause a noticeable increase in water absorption
coefficient. The largest increase in water absorption coefficient occurs at 80% fly ash content.

Morocco – Rabat / November 23-25, 2011 3

INVACO2: International Seminar, INNOVATION & VALORIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
N° : 1O-339 KHATIB J M,University of Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

2400
7 days

2350

Density (Kg/m )
3
2300

2250

2200
0 20 40 60 80
Fly Ash (%)

Figure 1: Density of concrete containing varying amounts of Fly Ash at 7 days of curing
7
7 days

6
Absorption (% by dry mass)

2 0%FA (Control)
20% FA
40% FA
1 60% FA
80% FA

0
0 25 50 75 100 125 150
Time (min)

Figure 2: Water absorbed for concrete containing varying amounts of FA at 7 days of curing
60
7 days 0% FA (Control)
20% FA
50 40% FA
Massgainedper unit area (g/mm)

60% FA
2

80% FA

40

30

20

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sqrt (time-minutes)

Figure 3: Water absorbed per unit area for concrete with FA at 7 days of curing
3.4. Compressive strength
Figure 4 shows the effect of incorporating fly ash on the compressive strength of concrete at 7
days of curing. There is systematic decrease in strength with the increase in fly ash content. The
trend is largely similar to that reported elsewhere [7] (Khatib 2008), except the 40% fly ash mix.
Khatib (2008) showed that a slight increase in strength at 40% fly compared to that at 20%. This
does not seem to occur in the present investigation and no sound justification can be made. At
40% the strength is nearly half of that of the control. These low strength values with fly ash is
expected at this early age of curing where there is not sufficient calcium hydroxide for the fly
ash particles to hydrate. As for compressive strength, the ultrasonic pulse velocity (Figure 5)
decreases as the fly ash content in the mix increases. However the rate of decrease is not quite
similar to those of compressive strength, in that the decrease in ultrasonic pulse velocity at 20%
fly ash is slightly lower than that of the control. Comparing Figures 4 and 5, there seems to be a
positive correlation between compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity in that, an

Morocco – Rabat / November 23-25, 2011 4

INVACO2: International Seminar, INNOVATION & VALORIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
N° : 1O-339 KHATIB J M,University of Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

increase in ultrasonic pulse velocity is associated with an increase in compressive strength. Also
comparing other figures shows that a decrease in compressive is associated with an increase in
water absorption and water absorption coefficient.
40

7 days
35

Compressivestrength(N/mm)
2
30

25

20

15

10

0
0 20 40 60 80
Fly Ash (%)

Figure 4: Compressive strength of concrete with varying amounts of FA at 7 days of curing

2400
7 days
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (m/s)

2350

2300

2250

2200
0 20 40 60 80
Fly Ash (%)

Figure 5: Ultrasonic pulse velocity of concrete with varying amounts of FA at 7 days of curing

4. CONCLUSIONS

The following conclusions are based on the results of the present investigation:
• High percentage of FA can be used to produce SCC with an adequate strength. Using of up to 60%
FA as PC replacement can produce SCC with a strength above 20% at 7 days of curing.
• Although the absorption increases with increasing FA content, the absorption values of SCC
containing high volume (up to 60%) of FA is below 4% at 7 days of curing.
• There is an increase in water absorption coefficient as the replacement of cement with fly ash
increases.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the technical staff in the School of Technology at the University
of Wolverhampton, Mr G Cooper and Mr M Lloyd for their assistance.

References
[1] Holton, I (2004), Self-compacting concrete, BRE information Paper, Report IP 3/04, British Research
Establishment, Watford, UK.
[2] Nagamoto N, Ozava K (1997), Mixture properties of self-compacting concrete, Proc. of 3rd CANMET/ACI Int.
Conf. on Design and Materials and Recent Advances in Concrete Technology, ACI SP 172, Kuala Lumpur,
American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, USA, pp 623-637.
[3] Okamura, H, Onchi, M (1999), Self-compacting concrete: development, present use and future, Proc. 1st Intern.
Conf. on Self-Compacting Concrete, Stockholm, Sweeden, 3-14.
[4] Goodier, CI (2003) Development of self-compacting concrete, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers,
Structures & Buildings 156, Issue SB4, pp 405-414.

Morocco – Rabat / November 23-25, 2011 5

 INVACO2: International Seminar, INNOVATION & VALORIZATION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
N° : 1O-339 KHATIB J M,University of Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

[5] Sonebi, M (2004), Medium strength self-compacting concrete containing fly ash: Modelling using factorial
experimental plans, Cement and Concrete Research, Vol 34, 1199-1208.
[6] Persson, B (2001) A comparison between mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete and the
corresponding properties of normal concrete, Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 31, pp. 193-198.
[7] Khatib, J (2008), Performance of Self-Compacting Concrete Containing Fly Ash”, Construction and Building
Materials Journal, September, 22(9), 1963-1971.
[8] Domone, PL and Chai, HW (1996), Design and testing of SCC: Production methods and workability of
concrete, Proceedings of an International RILEM Conference, E & F N Spon, London, ISBN 419 22070 4.
[9] European Federation of Producers and Contractors of Specialist Products for Structures (EFNARC), 2002.
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[10] Khatib, JM and Clay, RJ (2004), Absorption characteristics of metakaolin concrete, Cement and Concrete
Research, 34, 19-29.
[11] Khatib, JM (2005), Properties of concrete containing fine recycled aggregates, Cement and Concrete Research,
35, 763-769.
[12] Concrete Society (1988), Permeability testing of site concrete - a review of methods and experience, Concrete
Society Technical Report No. 31.
[13] Khatib, JM and Mangat, PS (1995) “Absorption Characteristics of Concrete as a Function of Location Relative
to the Casting Position”, Cement and Concrete Research Journal, 25(5), 999-1010.

Morocco – Rabat / November 23-25, 2011 6

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