APPLICATONS & LIMITATIONS

OF
SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE

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•INTRODUCTION
•WHAT IS SCC
•HISTORY
•MATERIALS
•COMPARISION B/W SCC & NVC
•PRODUCTION OF SCC
•TEST METHODS FOR COMPACTIBILITY
•HARDENED PROPERTIES OF SCC
•ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF SCC
•APPLICAIONS
•CONCLUSIONS
•REFERENCES

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 INTRODUCTION

• HEAVILY CONGESTED
REINFORCED MEMBERS
• DELAYS AND ADDITIONAL
COST IN THE PROJECTS
• UNDER WATER CONCRETING
• LACK OF SKILLED LABOUR

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 WHAT IS SCC

Self-compacting concrete (SCC)

describes a concrete with the ability to
compact itself only by means of its own
weight without the requirement of
vibration. Self-compacting concrete also
known as Self-consolidating concrete or
self levelling concrete.

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 HISTORY OF SCC
 FIRST DEVELOPED IN JAPAN IN LATE 1980’S
where the lack of uniform and complete compaction had
been identified as the primary factor responsible for
poor performance of concrete structures.
 This led to the development of the first practicable SCC
by researchers (Okamura, Ozawa et al.) at the University
of Tokyo and the large Japanese contractors (e.g.
Kajima, Maeda, Taisei etc.) quickly took up the idea.
 Self-compacting concrete has been successfully used in
France, Denmark, the Netherlands, UK, USA, and
Germany apart from Japan.

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 MATERIALS
 The Materials used in SCC are the same as in
conventional concrete except that an excess of
fine material and chemical admixtures are used.
 Fly ash, silica fume, lime stone powder, glass
filler.

water-reducing admixture
 A high-range
(HRWRA) such as Acrylic Polymer based
polycarboxylatethers (PCE) & polyacrlates.
 Viscosity-modifying agent (VMA) and ultra
fine materials are used to reduce bleeding and
segregation. 6
MIX COMPOSITION OF SCC IN COMPARISON WITH
NORMAL VIBRATED CONCRETE
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 PRODUCTION OF S.C.C

TYPES OF SCC

POWDER TYPE VISCOSITY

AGENT TYPE

COMBINATION
TYPE

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 TEST METHODS FOR
COMPACTIBILITY
The various test equipment was
fabricated for judging the following
characteristics.
Self-compactibility:
The U-tube test gives an
indication of the resistance of the mixture to
flow round obstructions in a U-type mould,
Fig 1. This test also detects the tendency of
the coarse aggregate particles to stay back or
settle down, when the mixture flows through
closely-spaced reinforcements.
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FIG 1: U-TUBE TEST APPARATUS 10
 DEFORMABILITY:
The slump flow test as
specified by the Japan Society of Civil
Engineers (JSCE) judges the ability of
concrete to deform under its own
weight against the friction of the base,
Fig 2. This test, however, cannot
evaluate whether the concrete will
pass through the space between the
reinforcement bars. This test is useful
also as a routine control test, to detect
the tendency for slurry to separate
from the mixture.

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FIG 2 : SLUMP FLOW APPARATUS
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Viscosity:
Viscosity of the mortar phase
is obtained by a V-funnel apparatus,
Fig 3.This is useful for adjusting the
powder content, water content and
admixture dosage.

FIG 3 : V-FUNNEL TEST 13

 HARDENED PROPERTIES OF SCC

Development of compressive strength with

time:

After 28 days the reached compressive strength of SCC

and normal vibrated concrete of similar composition
does not differ significantly in the majority of the
published test results.
Isolated cases, however, showed that at the same water
cement ratios slightly higher compressive strengths
were reached for SCC.
At the current time there is insufficient research to
result in generalized conclusions with this fact.

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 SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH :

By evaluating the available database it could be shown,

that most results of the measured splitting tensile
strength values are in the range of valid regulations for
normal vibrated concrete with the same compressive
strength.
However, in about 30% of all data points a higher
splitting tensile strength was stated,Fig 5.
Hence it appears the tendency of a higher splitting
tensile strength of SCC.
The reason for this fact is the better microstructure,
especially the smaller total porosity and further on a
denser cement matrix is present due to the higher
content of ultra fines.

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FIG 5: Splitting tensile strength of SCC in
comparison to CEB/FIP Model Code 90

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 MODULUS OF ELASTICITY

As it is known, the modulus of elasticity of concrete

depends on the proportion of the Young’s moduli of the
individual components and their percentages by volume.
Thus, the modulus of elasticity of concrete increases for
high contents of aggregates of high rigidity, whereas it
decreases with increasing hardened cement paste content.
A relative small modulus of elasticity can be
expected, because of the high content of ultra fines and
additives as dominating factors and, accordingly, minor
occurrence of coarse aggregates in SCC. But the modulus of
elasticity is normally related to compressive strength of
concrete.

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 Indeed, it was shown by analysing the
database that the modulus of elasticity of SCC
can be up to 20 % lower compared with normal
vibrated concrete having the same compressive
strength and made of the same aggregates.
Nevertheless, it is mainly still in the range of the
CEB-FIP Model Code 90 as shown in fig below,

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ADVANTAGES OF SCC
Simple inclusion even in complicated formwork and
tight reinforcement.
Less skilled man power.
 Since no compaction work is necessary, it leads to
reduced construction times, especially at large
construction sites.
Reduced noise pollution since vibrators are not
necessary.
Higher and more homogenous concrete quality across
the entire concrete cross-section, especially around the
reinforcement.
 Improved concrete surfaces.
Typically higher early strength of the concrete so that
formwork removal can be performed more quickly.
Maintenance of concrete structure is negligible.
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Improved durability & good structural performance.
DISADVANTAGES OF SCC

Higher material costs & production expense.

A lack of standards and regulations.
General risks of a "new" technology.
Not suitable for small structures.
Not transported for a longer distance.

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 APPLICATIONS
 The two anchorages of Akashi-Kaikyo (Straits) Bridge
opened in April 1998, a suspension bridge with the
longest span in the world (1,991 meters) (Fig. 6).
The volume of the cast concrete in the two anchorages
amounted to 290,000 m3.
The concrete was mixed at the batcher plant beside the
site, and was the pumped out of the plant.
It was transported 200 meters through pipes to the
casting site, where the pipes were arranged in rows 3 to
5 meters apart.
 In the final analysis, the use of self-compacting
concrete shortened the anchorage construction period by
20%, from 2.5 to 2 years and reduced the no. of workers.
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Fig.6 Anchorage of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
(Japan) 22
 LNG TANK

Self-compacting concrete was used for the wall of a

large LNG tank belonging to the Osaka Gas Company,
whose concrete casting was completed in June 1998.
(Fig.7)
The volume of the self-compacting concrete used in
the tank amounted to 12,000 m3.

The number of concrete workers was reduced

from 150 to 50.
 The construction period of the structure
decreased from 22 months to18 months.

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Fig 7: LNG Tank

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Under water construction of a dry dock
Concrete placed 40,000 m3

Tremie method to place Congestion of

self-compacting reinforcements of a slab
concrete under water foundation where concrete is
placed without vibration
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Aerial view of the dry dock after
removing sea water 26
 Placement of SCC in a reinforced slab
foundation of skyscraper. ( commercial
center in New York) 27
Placement of SCC by chute for the slab
foundation of the Trump tower, New 28
York.
Congested reinforced column
(master builders Inc. USA) 29
SCC Poured in Heavily Reinforced Wall
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Stripped SCC Wall
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SCC Pumped into Column 32
SCC used in horizontal application 33
Finished pre-cast unit (USA)
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CONCLUSIONS
SCC is made from the ingredients, which are almost
same used in producing in conventional concrete.
Thorough understanding of role played by each of the
ingredient of SCC is essential.
Even though the initial cost of SCC is comparatively
higher than the conventional concrete. Considering the
long service of the structure, minimum maintenance,
labour cost, cost due to the vibrators required, benefit
cost ratio is very much in favour in case of SCC.
Self Consolidating Concrete, as well as Conventional
Slump Concrete, requires proper mix proportion to
become a durable concrete.
Self compacting concrete is ideal for concrete parts
with complicated shapes and elements with high
quality visible concrete.

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The use of pozzolanic materials, such as slag, fly ash,
silica fume, etc., will help SCC more durable, otherwise
these are waste products demanding with no practical
applications and which are costly to dispose off.
Advantage with respect to sound pollution.
Considerable improvements in exposed surface. (Fair
Faced Concrete)
Simple inclusion even in complicated formwork and
tight reinforcement.
In countries like Japan, Sweden, Thailand, U.K and
U.S.A, etc., the knowledge of SCC has moved from
domain of research to application. But in India, this
knowledge is to be widespread.
There is a urgent need for codal provisions based on
research.

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REFERENCES:
Subramanian,s. and CHATTOPADHAY,D., “Experiments for mix
proportioning of SCC”, The Indian Concrete journal, January 2002,vol
75,no.1,pp 13-20.
JAGADISH VENGELA, M.S.SUDARSHAN and R.V.RANGANATH.,
“Experimental study for obtaining SCC”,The Indian Concrete journal,
Augest 2003,p.1261-1266.
KLAUS HOLSCHMACHER,YVETTE KLUG.,”A database for the evaluation of
hardened properties of SCC”
A.GHAZAL and KAMAL H.KHAYAT., “Optimising self-consolidating concrete
with limestone filler by using statistical factorial design methods., ACI
material journal ,may-june 2002,p.264-272.
K.H.KHAYAT, “optimising and performance of air-entrained, self-
consolidating concrete,ACI material journal,september-october-
2000,p.526-535.
VAN K.BUI,YILMAZ AKKAYA, AND SURENDRA P. SHAH., “Rheological
model for self-consolidating concrete”, ACI material journal,November-
December, 2000,p.549-559.
Samir sulaker “national seminar on construction chemicals”, Build tech
2002, p.19-36.
http.www.googlewikipedia.com
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