high-strength concrete also reduces the total

High-Strength Concrete

amount of material placed and lowers the

High strength concrete (HSC) may be
defined

as

concrete

with

overall cost of the structure.

specified
The methods and technology for

characteristic cube strength between 60 and

producing high strength concrete are not

100 N/mm2.

substantially different from those required for

The primary difference between highstrength concrete and normal-strength concrete
relates to the compressive strength that refers

normal

strength

concrete.

The

target

water/cement ratio should be in the range

0.300.35 or even lower.

to the maximum resistance of a concrete

sample to applied pressure. high-strength

Superplasticisers / high range water

concrete as concrete with a compressive

reducers should be used to achieve maximum

strength greater than 6,000 psi.

water reduction, although plasticisers may be

adequate for lower strength HSC (C60 to

Admixtures

C70). Silica fume (microsilica) or metakaoline

Pozzolans, such as fly ash and silica

can be used to enhance the strength at high

fume, are the most commonly used mineral

levels (C80 and above), but is not needed

admixtures in high-strength concrete. These

generally at the lower end (C60 to C80).

materials impart additional strength to the

concrete by reacting with portland cement
hydration products to create additional C-S-H

Guidelines

for

the

selection

of

materials

gel, the part of the paste responsible for

The higher the targeted compressive strength,

concrete strength.

the smaller the maximum size of coarse

It would be difficult to produce high-

aggregate.

strength concrete mixtures without using

Up to 70 MPacompressive strength can be

chemical admixtures. A common practice is to

produced with a good coarse aggregate of a

use a superplasticizer in combination with a

maximum size ranging from 20 to 28 mm.

water-reducing retarder. The superplasticizer

gives the concrete adequate workability at low
water-cement ratios, leading to concrete with
greater strength. The water-reducing retarder

To produce 100 MPacompressive strength

aggregate with a maximum size of 10 to 20
mm should be used.

slows the hydration of the cement and allows

To date, concretes with compressive strengths

workers more time to place the concrete.

of over 125 MPahave been produced, with 10

High-strength concrete is specified

to 14 mm maximum size coarse aggregate

where reduced weight is important or where

The general steps of proportioning high

architectural considerations call for small

strength concrete are:

support elements. By carrying loads more

efficiently than

normal-strength

concrete,

Indentify

relevant

durability

and

constructability

requirements.
Select desired consistency (slump or

slump spread).
Select
the
nominal

and

workability

requirements.
Calculate required

content.
Conduct laboratory trials for the

fine

aggregate

purpose of evaluating the ability of the

maximum

aggregate size (based on dimensional

mixture

and constructability constraints.

Estimate the water content based on

mechanical,

durability,

constructability

properties,

the

chemical

cementitious

materials

used,

to

satisfy

checking

required

for

and
while
possible

aggregate characteristics, admixture

constituent material incompatibility

characteristics,

content

and adjusting the materials or mixture

requirements.
Estimate the target water-cement ratio

proportions as needed.
Conduct field trials tests replicating

considering

aggregates

mechanical,

and

both

air

and

anticipated job conditions, adjusting

durability requirements.
Estimate amount and proportions of

the materials or proportions as needed.

cementitious

mechanical

material

based

on

estimated water content and desired

water-cement ratio.
Estimate the required dosage range of

each chemical admixture.

Estimate the volume of
aggregate
properties

considering
of

coarse

ADVANTAGES

The main advantage is the reduction in

size of compression elements and/or

coarse

the

physical
and

fine

amount

of

longitudinal

reinforcement required.
used in the construction of high-rise
buildings and long-span bridges