Flow characteristics, strength development and durability properties of concrete containing metakaolin

This paper reports the physical and mechanical properties of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete containing up to 14% metakaolin (MK) as a cement replacement material. Specimens with water/binder ratios (w/b) 0.38, 0.36 and 0.33 were subjected to slump, compaction factor and Vee-Bee consistometer tests. The addition of MK resulted in substantial reduction in the workability, an increase in the compressive strength and a reduction in the sorptivity with reference to the control. In RCPT test, the lower grade of concrete had a higher current flow than the higher grade concrete at all replacement levels.