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SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE

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23 views5 pages

SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE

Uploaded by

robert
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE

Definition and Significance


• SCC or super‐workable concrete or self‐consolidating concrete is a highly flowable or self-
levelling, cohesive concrete that can spread through and around dense reinforcement under
its own weight
• It adequately fills voids without segregation or bleeding
• Self‐compacting concrete (SCC) does not require compaction through vibrators while placing
• Useful in situations where vibration is difficult and reinforcing steel is highly congested
• Originally developed in Japan in 1980 to offset a growing shortage of skilled labour
• The technology of SCC is based on increasing the fine material like fly ash, limestone filler etc.
without changing the water content compared to conventional concrete

Material for SCC


• Materials used the same as used in the conventional concrete
• However, to transform the conventional concrete into a SCC, aggregate shape, size,
grading, cement and water contents and admixture dosage have to be carefully
selected and proportioned

Cement:
– OPC 43 or 53 grade can be used

Coarse aggregate:
– well graded cubical or rounded are desirable as they minimize the paste content as well as
admixture dosage
– Maximum size of aggregate is limited to 20 mm
– Aggregate of 10 to 12 mm is desirable for structures having congested reinforcement

Fine aggregate:
– Can be natural or manufactured and should be of uniform grading
– To achieve a balance between fluidity and stability, total fine content is high

Chemical admixtures:
– Superplasticizer is an essential component of SCC to provide necessary workability
– Viscosity modifying agents (VMA) for stability
– Air entraining agents (AEA) to improve the freeze‐thaw resistance
– Retarders for controlling setting

Mineral admixtures:
– Fly ash in appropriate quantity added to improve the quality and durability of SCC
– Silica fume added to improve the mechanical properties
– Stone powder may be used to increase the fine content
– Fibers used to enhance the properties of SCC

Types of SCC
Three ways in which SCC can be made
1. Powder type SCC
• Is made by increasing the powder content
• Mix achieves the fluidity requirements through the use of large amount of fine aggregates and
a High Range Water Reducer (HRWR)
2. VMA type SCC
• Fines content is same as that of conventional concrete
• Required viscosity to inhibit segregation is ensured by using a Viscosity Modifying Admixture
(VMA)
3. Combination type
• Made by increasing powder content and VMA

Requirements for self‐compacting concrete:


The main characteristics of SCC are the properties in the fresh state. The mix design is focused on the
ability to flow under its own weight without vibration, the ability to flow through heavily congested
reinforcement under its own weight, and the ability to retain homogeneity without segregation. A
concrete mix can only be classified as self‐complicating if it has the following characteristics.
• Filling ability: The ability to flow into and completely fill complex forms under its own weight
• Passing ability: The ability to pass through and bond to dense reinforcement under its own
weight
• Segregation resistance: This represents high stability for SCC by high resistance to aggregate
segregation

Test Methods for SCC


1. Slump Flow Test
• To assess the horizontal flow of concrete in the absence of obstructions
• Most commonly used test and gives good assessment of filling ability
• Also indicates the resistance to segregation
• Equipment:
# Usual slump cone
# A stiff base plate square in shape
• Procedure:
# Place base plate on a level ground and keep the slump cone centrally on the base plate
# Fill the cone with concrete
# Raise the cone vertically and allow the concrete to flow freely
# Measure the final diameter of the concrete in two perpendicular directions and calculate
the average of the two diameters
• Interpretation
# The higher the flow value, the greater its ability o fill formwork under its own weight
# A value of at least 650 mm is required for SCC
2. V‐Funnel Test
• Used to determine the filling ability of concrete with a maximum size of aggregate 20 mm
• The equipment consists of a v‐shaped funnel
• The funnel is filled with about 12 liters of concrete
• Find the time taken for it to flow down

3. J‐Ring Test
• Denotes the passing ability of concrete
• Equipment consists of an open steel ring drilled vertically with holes to accept reinforcing
bars of 10 mm diameter 100 mm in length
• Bars can be placed at different distances apart to simulate the congestion of reinforcement
• Slump cone & Base plate are other equipment
Procedure:
1. Moisten the inside of the slump cone and base plate
2. Place the J‐ring on the base plate and the slump cone centrally inside the J‐ring
3. Fill the slump cone
4. Raise the concrete vertically and allow the concrete to flow out through the J‐ring
5. Measure the final diameter in two perpendicular directions and calculate the average
6. Measure the difference in height between the concrete just inside the J‐ring bars and just outside
the J‐ring bars

Structural Properties of SCC


The compressive strength and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity and durability of well‐designed
SCC are in the same order of magnitude as the conventional vibrated concrete.

Production and Placing of SCC


Aggregates: Aggregate should come from same source. There should not be much variations in size,
shape and moisture content.

Mixing: Any suitable mixer could be used ‐ Generally, mixing time need to be longer than for
conventional concrete. Time of addition of admixture is important. A system should be established for
optimum benefit during trial itself.
In the beginning there may be fluctuations in the quality of freshly mixed concrete. It is recommended
that every batch must be tested until consistent and compliant results are obtained.
Subsequently, checking could be done “by the eye” and routine testing is sufficient.

Placing: Formwork must be in good conditions to prevent leakage. Though it is easier to place SCC
than ordinary concrete, the following rules are to be followed to minimize the risk of segregation.
• Limit of vertical free fall distance to 5 meter.
• Limit the height of pour lifts (layers) to 500 mm
• Limit of permissible distance of horizontal flow from point of discharge to 10 meters.

Curing: On account of no bleeding or very little bleeding, SCC tends to dry faster and may cause more
plastic shrinkage cracking. Therefore, initial curing should be commenced as soon as practicable.
Alternatively the SCC must be effectively covered by polyethylene sheet. Due to the high content of
powder, SCC can show more plastic shrinkage or creep than ordinary concrete mixes. There are
disagreements on the above statement. These aspects should be considered during designing and
specifying SCC. It should also be noted that early curing is necessary for SCC.
Advantages of SCC
• Easier and rapid placement in members with dense reinforcement and complicated formwork
results in faster construction and reduction in cost of production
• Reduction on site manpower
• Relatively low w/c ratio results in rapid strength development, improved quality, strength and
durability
• Produces good surface finish particularly for slabs
• Reduce noise levels due to absence of vibration
• Safer and cleaner working environment

Disadvantages of SCC
• Increased formwork pressure requires slower casting rate
• SCC with low w/c ratio results in rapid drying and thus requires increased curing to avoid
shrinkage cracking
• SCC is more prone to settlement cracks
• Though most of common concrete mixers can be used for producing SCC, mixing time is longer

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