Effectiveness Assessment of Superplasticizer Admixtures: Case of Self-compacting Concrete Reinforced with Fine Mineral Fillers

The use of superplasticizers in concrete production has become a common practice, especially when a high fluidity is required. On the other hand, the risk of segregation and the stability of these mixtures is ensured by the incorporation of a large volume of fine mineral additions. The present investigation is devoted to the study of the influence of three types of superplasticizers of different chemical compositions, namely: Combined Synthetic Polymers (CSP), Poly-Carboxylate Ether (PCE), and Modified Poly-Carboxylate Ether (MPCE) on the rheological behavior of self-compacting concrete (SCC) as well as on the mechanical properties at 3, 7, and 28 days of curing. Natural pozzolana (NP) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were used as additions to stabilize the mixtures. The results revealed that the ether-based superplasticizer PCE gave the best workability and mechanical performance with low amounts (high efficiency). In addition, blast furnace slag promotes the obtaining of better properties whether in the fresh or hardened state compared to natural pozzolana.