Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) – Development Overview

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) can be defined as a fresh concrete that possesses superior flowability under-maintained stability (i.e. no segregation) thus allowing self-compaction – that is, material consolidation without the addition of energy.

It was self-developed in Japan in 1988 in order to achieve durable concrete structures by improving quality in the construction process. This was also partly in response to the reduction in the number of skilled workers available in the industry.

This paper outlines a brief history of SCC from its origins in Japan to the development of the material throughout Europe. Research and development into SCC in the UK and Europe are discussed, together with a look at the future for the material in Europe and the rest of the world.

Research and development of self-compacting concrete SCC are being conducted by private companies (mainly product development), by universities (mainly pure research into the material’s properties), by national bodies and working groups (mainly the production of national guidelines and specifications) and at European level (Brite-EuRam and RILEM projects on test methods and the casting of SCC, respectively).

Although SCC is not expected to ever completely replace conventionally vibrated concrete, the use of the material in both the precast and ready-mix markets in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world is expected to continue to increase as the experience and technology improve, the clients demand a higher-quality finished product and the availability of skilled labor continues to decrease.

The three properties that characterise a concrete as self-compacting are:-

Flowing ability – the ability to completely fill all areas and corners of the formwork into which it is placed.

Passing ability – the ability to pass through congested reinforcement without separation of the constituents or blocking.

Resistance to segregation – the ability to retain the coarse components of the mix in suspension in order to maintain a homogeneous material.

These properties must all be satisfied in order to design an adequate self-compacting concrete (SCC), together with other requirements including those for hardened performance.

Spread the love

    1