Effect of metakaolin addition on the properties of self compacting concrete for underwater construction

In this work the effect of metakaolin of two fineness, used as a pozzolanic mineral additive to cement, on the rheological properties of cement pastes containing anti-washout admixture (AWA) and superplasticizer (SP), was investigated. The pastes with metakaolin of higher fineness, with simultaneous anti-washout admixture addition, reveal much higher yield stress value, up to 60 minutes. Concrete from binder with metakaolin of higher fineness has also much higher compressive strength. Simultaneously the concrete mix with metakaolin of higher fineness has slightly higher flowability (slightly higher flow diameter and lower flow time) and lower paste wash-out. Additionally concrete from binder containing metakaolin of higher fineness shows higher freeze-thaw resistance, in the presence of de-icer salt.