AiT

Axum Institute of Technology

አኽሱም ቴክኖሎጂ ኢንስቲትዩት
Axum University
አኽሱም ዩኒቨርሲቲ

CoTM2062 – Construction Materials II

Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs)

Instructor: Welday T.
Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs)
2

 SCMs are materials that, when used in conjunction with portland or

blended cement, contribute to the properties of concrete through hydraulic or
pozzolanic activity or both.
 A hydraulic material reacts chemically with water to form cementitious
compounds.
 A pozzolan is a siliceous or alumino-siliceous material that, in finely divided
form and in the presence of moisture, chemically reacts with the Ca(OH)2 to
form C-S-H and other cementitious compounds.
 Fly ash, slag cement, silica fume, and natural pozzolans such as calcined shale,
metakaolin, or other calcined clays, are generally categorized as SCMs.
Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) …
3

 Many of these are byproducts of

other industrial processes.
 Their judicious use is desirable not
only for their sustainability, given the
environmental and energy conservation;
but also for the performance benefits
they provide concrete.
 SCMs are added to concrete as part
of the total cementitious system. Figure 4-1.
SCMs From left to right, fly ash (Class C),
metakaolin (calcined clay), silica fume, fly ash
(Class F), slag cement, and calcined shale.
 Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) …
4
Table 4-2. Chemical Analysis and Selected Properties of Typical Fly Ash, Slag Cement, Silica Fume, Calcined Clay, Calcined Shale, & Metakaolin
Class F Class C Slag Silica Calcined Calcined Metakaolin
fly ash fly ash cement fume clay shale
SiO2, % 52 35 35 90 58 50 53
Al2O3, % 23 18 12 0.4 29 20 43
Fe2O3, % 11 6 1 0.4 4 8 0.5
CaO, % 5 21 40 1.6 1 8 0.1
SO3, % 0.8 4.1 2 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.1
Na2O, % 1.0 5.8 0.3 0.5 0.2 — 0.05
K2O, % 2.0 0.7 0.4 2.2 2 — 0.4
Total Na eq. alk, % 2.2 6.3 0.6 1.9 1.5 — 0.3
Loss on ignition, % 2.8 0.5 1.0 3.0 1.5 3.0 0.7
Fineness, m2/kg
 Blaine 420 420 400 990 730
 Nitrogen absorption 20,000 17,000
Relative density 2.38 2.65 2.94 2.40 2.50 2.63 2.50
Fly Ash (FA)
5

 Fly ash, the most widely used SCM in concrete, is a byproduct of the
combustion of pulverized coal in electric power generating plants.
 During combustion, the coal’s mineral impurities (such as clay, feldspar,
quartz, and shale) fuse in suspension and are carried away from the
combustion chamber by the exhaust gases.
 In the process, the fused material cools and solidifies into glassy particles called
fly ash.
 The fly ash is then collected from the exhaust gases by electrostatic
precipitators or bag filters as a finely divided powder (Figure 4-2).
 Class F fly ash is often used at dosages of 15%to 25% by mass of cementitious
material and Class C fly ash is used at dosages of 15% to 40% by mass of
cementitious material.
 Fly Ash …
6

Figure 4-2.
Fly ash, a byproduct of the combustion of
pulverized coal in electric power
generating plants, has been used in
concrete since the 1930s.
Classification of Fly Ash
7

 Fly ashes are divided into 2 classes in accordance with ASTM C618 (AASHTO M
295), Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete;
Class F and Class C.
 Class F fly ash has pozzolanic properties and is produced from burning
anthracite or bituminous coal that meets the applicable requirements for this
class as given herein.
 The SiO2 plus Al2O3 plus Fe2O3 needs to be ≥ 70% for Class F fly ash.
 Class C fly ash in addition to having pozzolonic properties also has some
cementitious properties and produced from lignite or sub-bituminous coal
that meets the applicable requirements for this class:
 The SiO2 plus Al2O3 plus Fe2O3 must be ≥ 50% for Class C fly ash.
Physical Properties of Fly Ash
8

 Most FA particles are fine solid spheres although some are hollow cenospheres.
 Also plerospheres, which are spherical particles containing smaller spheres.
 The particle sizes in fly ash vary from less than 1 μm to more than 100 μm with
the average particle size measuring less than 20 μm (typically 10 μm).
 The specific surface area is typically 300 to 500 m2/kg, although some fly
ashes can have surface areas as low as 200 m2/kg and some as high as 700 m2/kg.
 For fly ash without close compaction, the bulk density can vary from 540 to
860 kg/m3, whereas with close packed storage or vibration, the range can be
1120 to 1500 kg/m3.
 The relative density (specific gravity) of fly ash generally ranges between 1.90
and 2.80 and the color is generally gray or tan.
Chemical Properties of Fly Ash
9

 FA is primarily alumino-silicate glass containing silica, alumina, iron, and

calcium.
 Minor constituents are magnesium, sulfur, sodium, potassium, and carbon.
 The chemical composition of fly ash depends on the source of the coal.
 Hard bituminous or anthracitic coals tend to produce ashes high in silica and
alumina but low in calcium (Class F).
 Fly ashes from softer lignite of sub-bituminous coals tend to be much higher
in calcium – anywhere from greater than 10% to greater than 30% CaO and
are lower in silica and alumina (Class C).
 The performance of fly ash in concrete is strongly influenced by its chemical
composition and fly ash from different sources can behave very differently.
 Chemical Properties of Fly Ash …
10

Figure 4-3.
Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
micrograph of fly ash particles at
approximately 1000×. Although most fly
ash spheres are solid, some particles,
called cenospheres, are hollow (as shown
in the micrograph).
Slag Cement
11

 Slag cement, previously known as ground, granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), is

the glassy material formed from molten slag produced in blast furnaces as a
byproduct from the production of iron used in steel making.
 The molten slag is formed as the ingredients used to make iron melt at a
temperature of about 1500°C (2730°F) and float above the denser molten iron.
 In order to transform the molten slag into a cementitious material, it is rapidly
quenched in water to form a glassy, sand-like, granulated material, then dried
and ground into a fine powder (Figure 4-4).
 If the slag is allowed to cool slowly in air, it will form crystalline products that
have no cementitious properties.
 Air-cooled slag is inert, and is used for other applications, such as aggregate.
 Slag Cement …
12

Figure 4-4.
Ground granulated blast-furnace slag
(GGBFS).
Slag Cement …
13

Classification of Slag Cement: 3 grades of slag cement in accordance with ASTM

C989, Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and Mortars (AASHTO M 302, Standard Specification
for Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars).
 Grade 80, Grade 100, and Grade 120 slag cement with a low, moderate, and
high activity index respectively. ASTM C989 defines activity based on 7- and 28-
day strength results.
Physical Properties of Slag Cement: The rough and angular-shaped granulated
slag is ground to fine powder material of approximately the same or greater fineness
than Portland-cement.
 have a fineness of about 400 to 600 m2/kg Blaine (Figure 4-5).
 The relative density (specific gravity) in the range of 2.85 to 2.95.
 The bulk density varies from 1050 to 1375 kg/m3.
Slag Cement …
14

Figure 4-5.
Scanning electron microscope
micrograph of slag particles at
approximately 2100X.
Chemical Properties of Slag Cement
15

 The chemical composition of slag cement depends mainly on the composition

of the charge to the blast furnace–oxides of silica calcium, alumina, magnesium
and iron generally make up more than 95% of the slag cement.
 Although the composition may vary between sources, the variation from an
individual plant is generally low due to the restrictive control of the iron-
making process.
 Slag cement in the presence of water and an activator such as NaOH or
Ca(OH)2 (both of which are supplied by Portland-cement) hydrates and sets in a
manner similar to portland cement.
 ACI 233 provides an extensive review of slag cement.
Silica Fume (SF)
16

 SF is the ultrafine non-crystalline silica produced in electric-arc furnaces as an

industrial byproduct of the production of silicon metals & ferrosilicon alloys.
 SF is also known as condensed silica fume, or microsilica.
 In silicon metal production, a source of high purity silica (such as quartz or
quartzite) together with woodchips and coal are heated in an electric arc furnace
to remove the oxygen from the silica.
 SF rises as an oxidized vapor from the 2000°C (3630°F) furnaces. When it cools
it condenses and is collected in bag filters.
 SF is typically used in amounts between 5% and 10% by mass of the total
cementitious material.
 Used in applications where a high degree of impermeability is needed & in HSC.
Classification of Silica Fume
17

 SF for use as a pozzolanic material

in concrete may be supplied in
one of 3 forms in accordance with
ASTM C1240 (AASHTO M 307), Standard
Specification for Silica Fume Used in
Cementitious Mixtures; as-produced, as a
slurry mixed with water, or as a densified
or compacted product.
 Because of its extremely fine
particle size and low bulk density,
as-produced silica fume is very
Figure 4-6.
difficult to handle. Silica fume powder.
Physical Properties of Silica Fume
18

 SF is composed of very tiny spherical amorphous (non-crystalline) particles.

 It is extremely fine with particles less than 1 μm in diameter and with an
average diameter of about 0.1 μm, about 100 times smaller than average cement
particles (Figure 4-7).
 Condensed SF has a surface area of about 20,000 m2/kg (nitrogen adsorption method).
 For comparison, tobacco smoke’s surface area is about 10,000 m2/kg.
 Type I and Type III cements typically have surface areas of about 300 to 400
m2/kg and 500 to 600 m2/kg (Blaine), respectively.
 The bulk density (uncompacted unit weight) varies from 130 to 430 kg/m3.
 The relative density (specific gravity) is usually around 2.20, but can be as high
as 2.50 if the iron content is high.
Physical Properties of Silica Fume …
19

 The color of silica fume is gray, with the actual shade primarily dependent
on the carbon content.
 Specially processed white silica fume is available when color is an important
consideration.
 Densification may be achieved by passing compressed air through a silo
containing silica fume causing the particles to tumble and collide resulting
in loosely bound agglomerations.
 Alternatively, densification can be achieved by mechanical means – such as
passing the material through a screw auger.
 The bulk density is increased to above 500 kg/m3 by densification.
Physical Properties of Silica Fume …
20

Figure 4-7.
Scanning electron microscope
micrograph of silica fume particles at
20,000X.
Chemical Properties of Silica Fume
21

 SF is predominantly composed of silicon dioxide, SiO2, in noncrystalline,

glassy (amorphous) form.
 When produced during the manufacture of silicon metal, the silica content is
usually above 90% by mass and may even be as high as 99%.
 For silica fumes produced during ferrosilicon alloy production, the quantity of
silica in the fume decreases as the amount of silicon in the alloy decreases.
 However, the manufacture of alloys containing only 50% silicon will generally
produce silica fumes with less than 85% silica and such materials may not be
permitted by specifications for use in concrete.
 ACI 234 and SFA provide an extensive review of silica fume.
Natural Pozzolans
22

 Natural pozzolans are produced from natural mineral deposits.

 Some of these require heat treatment (calcining) to make them pozzolanic.
 Others such as volcanic ash can be used with only minimal processing (such as
drying and grinding).
 In addition to controlling heat rise, natural pozzolans were used to improve
resistance to sulfate attack and to mitigate ASR.
 Metakaolin: calcined clay produced by low-temperature calcination of kaolin clay.
 The clay is purified by water processing prior to very carefully controlled
thermal activation at relatively low temperature (650°C to 800°C).
 Metakaolin is used in applications where very low permeability or very high
strength is required. Typical additions are around 10% of the cement mass.
 The Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, California
23

 In the 1930s and 1940s a blended cement containing 25% of calcined Monterey shale interground with portland cement was
produced in California and was used by the State Division of Highways in several structures including the Golden Gate Bridge.
24

The Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco, California
Classification of Natural Pozzolans
25

 Natural pozzolans are classified by ASTM C618 (AASHTO M295) as Class N pozzolans.
 The most common are derived from shales or clays that are calcined, or heated
to a sufficient temperature to transform the clay structure into a disordered
amorphous alumino-silicate with pozzolanic properties.
 This process is often referred to as thermal activation.
 The optimum heat treatment varies for different materials.
 Less common natural pozzolans include rice husk ash (RHA), diatomaceous
earth, and volcanic ashes.
 Metakaolin has been marketed under the description high-reactivity
metakaolin to distinguish it from the normally less reactive calcined clays.
Classification of Natural Pozzolans …
26

Figure 4-8. Figure 4-9.

Scanning electron microscope micrograph of Scanning electron microscope micrograph of
calcined shale particles at 5000X. calcined clay particles at 2000X.
Classification of Natural Pozzolans …
27

Figure 4-10.
Metakaolin, a calcined clay.
Physical Properties of Natural Pozzolans
28

 Calcined clays are used in general purpose concrete construction.

 Calcined clays have a relative density of between 2.40 and 2.61 with Blaine
fineness ranging from 650 to 1350 m2/kg.
 Metakaolin is ground to a very high fineness with an average particle size of
about 1 to 2 μm (Figure 4-10).
 It has a high Hunter L whiteness value of 90 on a scale of 0 for black to 100 for
maximum whiteness.
Chemical Properties of Natural Pozzolans
29

 Calcined shale may contain on the order of 5% to 10% calcium, which results
in the material having some cementitious or hydraulic properties.
 Because of the amount of residual calcite that is not fully calcined, and the
bound water molecules in the clay minerals, calcined shale will have a loss on
ignition (LOI) of approximately 1% to 5%.
 The LOI value for calcined shale is not a measure or indication of carbon
content as would be the case for fly ash.
 ACI Committee 232 provides a review of natural pozzolans.
 Metakaolin is composed of kaolin clay consisting predominantly of silica
(SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3).
 The sum of the silica and alumina content is generally > 95% by mass.
Reactions of SCMs
Pozzolonic Reactions
30

 A siliceous pozzolan reacts with CH formed by the hydration of portland cement

and the reaction results in the production of more C-S-H.
 This C-S-H may have slightly different composition & structure, but contributes to
the strength and reduces the permeability of the hardened material.
 Many pozzolans contain reactive alumina in addition to silica, which react &
produce calcium-aluminate hydrates and calcium-alumino-silicate hydrates.
 The rate of the pozzolanic reaction is influenced by a number of parameters.
 The greater the surface area of the pozzolan, the faster it can react.
 The composition and amount of glass in the pozzolan also affects rate of reaction.
 Like most chemical reactions, the pozzolanic reaction increases with temperature.
 The solubility of glass increases with pH and this in turn increases its availability for reaction with CH.
SCMs
Effects on Freshly Mixed Concrete
31

 Water Demand: Of all the different SCMs, fly ash (Class C & F) has the most
beneficial effect on water demand.
 Fly ash generally reduces water demand (about 1% to 10% less at normal dosages). Higher
dosages can result in greater water reduction (Table 4-4).
 Slag cement also reduces the water demand of concrete although the impact is
dependent on the slag fineness and is less marked than with fly ash.
 Silica fume increases water demand with higher amounts of silica fume (>5%).
 Calcined clays & shales have little effect on water demand at normal dosages.
 The use of finely ground calcined clay, such as metakaolin, may lead to an
increased water demand, especially when used at higher dosages.
 The increased requirement for water can be offset by the use of WRAs.
SCMs
Effects on Freshly Mixed Concrete …
32

Table 4-3. The Impact of SCM Characteristics on the Fresh Properties of Concrete*

Fly ash Slag Silica Natural pozzolans

Class F Class C Cement Fume Calcined shale Calcined clay Metakaolin
Water demand       
Workability       
Bleeding and segregation       
Setting time       
Air content       
Heat of hydration       
Key:  Lowers Increases May increase or lower No impact

*The properties will change dependant on the material composition & dosage and other mixture parameters.
SCMs
Effects on Freshly Mixed Concrete …
33
Table 4-6. Effect of Fly Ash on Setting Time of Concrete
Fly ash test mixture Setting time, hr:min Retardation relative to control, hr:min
Identification Classs of fly ash Initial Final Initial Final
A C 4:30 5:35 0:15 0:05 Concretes had a cementitious
B F 4:40 6:15 0:25 0:45
materials content of 307 kg/m3.
C F 4:25 6:15 0:10 0:45
D F 5:05 7:15 0:50 1:45 Fly ash mixtures contained 25%
E F 4:25 5:50 0:10 0:20 ash by mass of cementitious
F C 4:25 6:00 0:10 0:30 material. Water to cement plus fly
G C 4:55 6:30 0:40 1:00 ash ratio = 0.40 to 0.45. Tested at
H F 5:10 7:10 0:55 1:40 23°C (73°F)
I C 5:00 6:50 0:45 1:20
(Gebler and KIieger 1986).
J F 5:10 7:40 0:55 2:10
Average of: Class C 4:40 6:15 0:30 0:45
Class F 4:50 6:45 0:35 1:15
Control mixture 4:15 5:30 – –
SCMs
Effects on Hardened Properties of Concrete
34

 Strength
 The extent to which strength development of concrete is influenced by SCMs
will depend on many factors such as:
 composition and amount of SCM, cement chemistry (particularly its alkali
content), mixture proportions of the concrete, and temperature conditions
during placement and curing.
 Generally, SCMs (fly ash, slag cement, silica fume, calcined shale, and calcined
clay (including metakaolin)) all contribute to the long-term strength gain of
concrete.
 SCMs are often used in the production of HSC. Fly ash  strengths up to
100 MPa (15,000 psi); silica fume  strengths upto 140 MPa (20,000 psi).
 SCMs
Effects on Hardened Properties of Concrete …
35

Figure 4-12.
Compressive strength development at 1, 3, 7, 28, and
90 days of concrete mixtures containing 307 kg/m3
of cementitious materials with a fly ash dosage of
25% of the cementitious materials
(Whiting 1989).
SCMs
Effects on Hardened Properties of Concrete …
36
Table 4-7. The Impact of SCM Characteristics on the Hardened Properties of Concrete*
Fly ash Slag Silica Natural pozzolans
Class F Class C Cement Fume Calcined shale Calcined clay Metakaolin
Early age strength gain       
Long term strength gain       
Abrasion resistance       
Drying shrinkage and creep       
Permeability and absorption       
Corrosion resistance       
Alkali-silica reactivity       
Sulfate resistance       
Freezing and thawing       
Deicer scaling resistance
Key:  Lowers  Increases  May increase or lower  No impact May lower or have no impact
*The properties will change dependant on the material composition, dosage and other mixture parameters.
These general trends may not apply to all materials and therefore testing be performed to verify the impact.
Deicer-Scaling Resistance
37

 Laboratory tests indicate that the deicer-scaling resistance of concrete made

with SCMs is often equal to concrete made without SCMs.
 Scaling resistance can decrease as the amount of certain SCMs increases.
 ACI 318 building code states that the maximum dosage of fly ash, slag & silica fume
should be 25%, 50% & 10% by mass of cementing materials, respectively for
deicer exposures.
 Total SCM content should not exceed 50% of the cementitious material.
 Dosages < or > these limits shown to be durable in some cases but not in others.
 Different materials respond differently in different environments.
 The selection of materials and dosages should be based on local experience and
the durability should be demonstrated by field or laboratory performance.
Concrete Mixture Proportions
38

 The optimum amounts of SCMs used with Portland cement or blended cement
are determined by testing, taking into account the relative cost and availability
of the materials, and the specified properties of the concrete.
 Several test mixtures are required to determine the optimum amount of SCM.
 These test mixtures should cover a range of blends to establish relationship
between the property or properties being optimized and the SCM content.
 The w/cm ratio will also have a strong effect on many properties.
 These mixtures should be established according to ACI Standard 211.1 or 211.2,
taking into account the relative densities of the SCMs.
 In other cases, the permeability at 56 days might be the property of interest.
Multi-Cementitious Systems
39

 Traditionally, fly ash, slag cement, calcined clay, calcined shale, and silica fume
were used in concrete individually with portland cement.
 There are benefits in using more than one SCM in combination with portland
cement to produce concrete mixtures.
 Ternary blends containing portland cement plus 2 SCMs are often used where
special properties are required.
 Quaternary blends consisting of portland cement plus 3 SCMs have also been
used.