Estimates of self-compacting concrete 'potential' durability

The building industry is progressively trying to use self-compacting concrete (SCC) in order to improve many aspects of construction, principally reinforced concrete. However, the problem of its durability still exists, particularly in terms of physicochemical properties which are essential to avoid corrosion of rebars. The purpose of this project was to qualify the 'potential' durability of self-compacting concrete and reference vibrated concrete (VC) with similar compressive strength according to French recommendations. To do this, general indicators of durability (water porosity, chloride diffusion, oxygen permeability) and additional properties necessary for a better understanding (mercury porosity, water absorption by capillarity, carbonation and ammonium nitrate leaching) were examined. Various mixes of SCC and VC were therefore made with the same raw materials in identical proportions (except for the high-performance concrete). The tests conducted on the concretes studied revealed that the durability of both concretes could be regarded as equivalent. So, at the same level of compressive strength, self-compacting concrete can be considered to be as durable as vibrated concrete. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.