Assessment of the Changes in Compressive Strength of Deep Beam Elements Using High Performance Self-Consolidating Concrete from a Single Casting Point

This experimental work investigates into the effect of a change in the compressive strength of concrete along the length and height of monolithic deep beams made of high performance self-compacting concrete (HPSCC). In the tests, three different HPSCC mixes were used in which the amount of silica fume differed (0, 5 and 10% by mass of cement). The binder content (550 kg/m³) and the water-binder ratio (0.32) were the same. Experimental deep beams, measuring 1.50 m in length, 0.15 m in width and 0.45 m in height, were cast. A variant of casting was explored in which concrete is cast from the top of a mould from a single casting point at one edge of an element. All the HPSCC mixtures exhibited small variations in the compressive strength in relation to the length and height of the experimental deep beams. In general, those variations were limited to 8% and 16%, respectively. Casting HPSCC from a single casting point at one edge of an element may be used in practice as an alternative way of laying self-compacting concrete. (paper)