Technical note The influence of air entrainment on the properties of silica fume concrete

An experimental study on fresh and hardened properties of silica fume concrete containing air-entraining agent was performed. Silica fume content ranged from 0 to 20% by mass of the cementitious materials (cement plus silica fume). Air content in fresh mix concrete ranged between 2 and IS%. Fresh mix properties were characterized by determining the slump and air content. Hardened material properties such as compressive and flexural strength and permeability were investigated. Test results showed that air entrainment reduces the mechanical properties of silica fume concrete. It was also shown that air entrainment has a minimal effect on the permeability of concrete with high silica fume content.