Effect of high-range water reducer and W/C ratio on the fresh and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced natural zeolite SCC

The present study aims to investigate how the use of high-range water reducer (HRWR) and variations in water/cement (W/C) ratio affect the properties of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) while taking into account different proportions of polypropylene fibers (PF) and natural zeolite (NZ). A total of 28 samples were cast and analyzed. PF fractions ranging from 0% to 1.5% by weight were added, along with a substitution of 10% NZ for cement (50 kg/m³). Four W/C ratios (0.30, 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45) were tested, in addition to seven HRWR contents ranging from 5 to 6.5 kg/m³. Various tests were conducted to assess slump, T₅₀₀, V-funnel, L-box, modulus of elasticity, and compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths. Novel models were developed to predict the properties of hardened concrete based on W/C, HRWR, PF, and NZ content. Findings indicated that optimal performance of PF-reinforced SCC with NZ was achieved when up to 0.75% PF was combined with an HRWR content equivalent to 1.25% of the cement fraction and NZ ratio. Furthermore, the proposed models offer accurate predictions of both fresh and hardened-state properties of PF-reinforced SCC with NZ based on W/C and HRWR ratios.