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Technical Resource:
Self-Consolidating Concrete Delivers Efficiency, Beauty,
Savings and More.
Self-consolidating concrete, also known as self-compacting concrete
and SCC, is
a highly flowable, non-segregating concrete that can spread into place,
fill formwork and encapsulate even the most congested reinforcement, all
without any mechanical vibration. As a high-performance concrete, SCC
delivers these attractive benefits while maintaining all of concrete's
customary mechanical properties and durability characteristics.
SCC is defined as a concrete mixture that can be placed purely by means of its own weight, with little or no vibration. Adjustments to traditional mix designs and the use of superplasticizers creates flowing concrete that meets tough performance requirements. If needed, low dosages of viscosity modifier can be used to eliminate unwanted bleeding and segregation.
Since its inception in the 1980s, the use of SCC has grown tremendously. The
development of high performance polycarboxylate polymers and viscosity modifiers have made it possible to create “flowing” concrete without compromising durability, cohesiveness, or compressive strength. The flowability of SCC is measured in terms of spread when using a modified version of the slump test (ASTM C 143). The spread (slump flow) of SCC typically ranges from 18 to 32 inches (455 to 810 mm) depending on the requirements for the project. The viscosity, as visually observed by the rate at which concrete spreads, is an important characteristic of plastic SCC and can be controlled when designing the mix to suit the type of application being constructed.
SCC's unique properties give it significant economic, constructability,
aesthetic and engineering advantages. SCC is an increasingly attractive
choice for optimizing site manpower (through reduction of labor and possibly
skill level), lowering noise levels, and allowing for a safer working
environment. SCC allows easier pumping (even from bottom up), flows into
complex shapes, transitions through inaccessible spots, and minimizes voids
around embedded items to produce a high degree of homogeneity and
uniformity. That's why SCC allows for denser reinforcement, optimized concrete sections and
shapes, and greater freedom of design while
producing superior surface finishes and textures.
Find out for yourself why SCC works wonders. Next time you have a job that calls for the considerable economic, aesthetic, engineering, or design benefits of self-consolidating concrete, make sure it's at the top of your list!
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