The Use of Local Metakaolin in the Formulation of Self-Compacting Concrete, Physico-Mechanical Characterization

Abstract

Today, self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a material used in Civil Engineering, especially for construction. In order to find new economic solutions in addition to technical solutions, research on economic SCC has been conducted in recent years. However, the very large amount of mineral addition in SCC formulation suggests that the use of natural, local and economic mineral additions seems to be one of the possible solutions for the future of SCC. Thus, work has shown that it is possible to formulate self-compacting concrete containing different percentages of local metakaolin -Bechar region - (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%) for an economic and ecological purpose with quantities of cement well determined. This work shows that the substitution rates of 05%,10% and 15% of cement with metakaolin increases the compressive and bending strength at young age and in the long term. Durability was also shown at 15% a major increase in the absorption coefficient,and a minor 10% porosity. In addition, non-destructive testing methods were conducted as part of this research to obtain more information on the properties of the self- compacting concrete studied. The results of the tests on the new SCC meet the recommendations of the French Civil Engineering Association (AFGC).