Effect of Paste-to-Voids Volume Ratio on the Performance of Concrete Mixtures.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the minimum paste volume required with an appropriate water-to-cementitious ratio () to achieve required workability, strength, and durability requirements of concrete mixtures for pavements. In this experimental program, 64 concrete mixtures with varying , cementitious content, and binder type were prepared and tested. The fine aggregate-to-total aggregate ratio was held constant for all the mixtures. Fresh and hardened concrete properties of the mixtures were determined at various ages. Test results have shown that approximately 1.5 times more paste by volume is required than voids between the aggregates to achieve a minimum performance in concrete for pavements. For a given , strength is independent of cementitious content after a critical value is provided. When is constant, increasing paste content increased chloride penetrability and air permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]