Why is Self-Consolidating Concrete MIA? East Syracuse NY

Source: CONCRETE PRODUCER MAGAZINE
Publication date: January 1, 2009

By William D. Palmer Jr.

Concrete that flows into rebar-congested forms under its own weight with no vibration and no segregation is the dream of every placing contractor. Today, most ready-mixed producers can provide that dream material —self-consolidating concrete (SCC).

In fact, the basic understanding of how to produce SCC has existed in North America for at least 10 years. Producers know that if they combine the proper amounts of coarse and fine aggregate with cementitious materials, fines or powder, water, and admixtures, the concrete will flow.

Design engineers also know that such a mix is easy to place, even with congested reinforcement and complex forms providing confidence in the structure's ultimate strength. Architects likewise realize that SCC mixes produce very high-quality concrete surfaces with a nearly polished appearance, with no bugholes or honeycombing.

Most importantly, the contractor favors SCC. The material is easy to pump, needs no consolidation, and eliminates the vibrators and the workers to handle the task. This also increases jobsite safety because workers need not be positioned atop the forms to consolidate the material.

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