Performance criteria for self-consolidating concrete

Abstract

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC), also called self-compacting concrete, was first developed almost two decades ago. It does not require compaction to achieve good consolidation and is becoming more and more commonly used in many parts of the world. However, SCC is not the same as high-workability concrete; a SCC is a high-workability concrete, but a high-workability concrete is not necessarily a SCC. For a high-workability concrete to be qualified as a SCC, it has to be able to flow through narrow gaps and fill up far-reaching corners in the mould under its own weight, pass through closely spaced reinforcing bars, and remain homogeneous after flowing or dropping a certain distance or through obstacles. In other words, a SCC should have, apart from high workability, also high filling ability, passing ability and segregation stability. This paper introduces some new test methods for measuring the performance of SCC, recommends the performance criteria that may be adopted for different grades of SCC, and presents a laboratory study on the production of SCC using the locally available materials.