Unraveling the Mystery of

Self-Consolidating Concrete

Presented by: Sika Corporation

AIA Program Number:SIK800
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing
professional education. As such, it does not include content that
may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement
by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or
manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material
or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and
services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
Sika Corporation is a Registered Provider with the American
Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit
earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES
Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-
AIA members is available upon request.
AIA/CES PROGRAM

This AIA/CES program delivers 1 learning unit of credit

(1.0 LU)
Please sign the form and add your AIA member number
if you wish to obtain credit for this seminar
Sika will forward this information to AIA so that you will
receive credit for this presentation
Non-AIA members may receive CEUs upon request
KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Introduce Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) and, using

rheology, illustrate the difference between SCC and and
conventional concrete
Illustrate advantages as well as barriers to introduction
of this technology
Discuss engineering properties of SCC
Demonstrate advantages of SCC in specific case studies
CONTENTS
SCC General
SCC Fresh Properties & test methods
SCC Engineering properties
SCC Various aspects
Case studies
SCC - DEFINITION
Self consolidating concrete (SCC) is highly flowable, non
segregating concrete that can spread into place, fill the formwork,
and encapsulate the reinforcement without any mechanical
consolidation (ACI 237).
What is SCC???
A new solution to an old problem
SCC HISTORY
Developed in 1988 in Japan
Based on technologies used in underwater concrete placement
Developed by academics in conjunction with major contractors
Prof. Okamura at the University of Tokyo
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - anchor blocks, 180,000 cubic yards of SCC
Test methods and procedures well established

Widely Adopted in Europe Over Past Decade

Scandinavian countries regarded as leaders
Test methods and procedures well established

Acceptance Drivers
Tight labor market; concern over proper consolidation (Japan)
Complex thin-walled sections and heavily reinforced buildings (Japan)
Production efficiency; reduced vibration (Europe)
Health and safety (legislation in Europe)
NEED FOR SCC TODAY
Slender sections
Congested reinforcement
High productivity
Better surface finish
VERTICAL APPLICATIONS
Can be poured from the top or
pumped from bottom to top
Can be poured from a single point
HORIZONTAL APPLICATIONS
Faster placing time
No Vibration required
Less labor
HIGH FLOW CONCRETE V/S SCC
High Flow Concrete SCC

Slump 8 10 Slump flow 22 30

Vibration needed No Vibration needed
Not self Leveling Self Leveling
 Guess which
one was
made using
SCC!

Photo from Fredericksburg, VA

CONTENTS
SCC General
SCC Fresh Properties & test methods
SCC Engineering properties
SCC Various aspects
Case studies
SCC FRESH PROPERTIES
Fresh SCC must possess:

Filling ability :
Ability to flow into all spaces within the form-work under
self weight

Passing ability :
Ability to flow through tight openings such as spaces
between steel reinforcing bars, under self weight

Resistance to segregation :
Its composition at any stage must be uniform through the
process of transportation and placement
SCC TESTS TO EVALUATE FLUID PROPERTIES
Characteristic Test Method

Flowability Slump Flow test (ASTM C1611)

Viscosity (Rate of flow) T50 of Slump Flow test (C 1611)

V-funnel test
Rheometer

Passing ability L-Box test

J-Ring test (C1621)
U-box

Segregation (Static) Column segregation test (C 1610)

Segregation resistance (Sieve test)
Visual Stability Index (C 1611), Penetration Test (C1712)

Segregation (Dynamic) Flow trough (new)

Tilting Box test (new)
FLOWABILITY AND VISCOSITY
(SLUMP FLOW TEST)- ASTM C 1611
PASSING ABILITY (L-BOX TEST)
J-RING TEST ASTM C 1621

Ref: ASTM
VISUAL STABILITY INDEX (VSI)-ASTM C 1611

Ref: ASTM
STABILITY COLUMN SEGREGATION TEST
ASTM C 1610
PENETRATION TEST (C 1712)

May
24 13, 2015 Title of Presentation / Meeting Name
FLOW TROUGH (DYNAMIC SEGREGATION)

May
25 13, 2015 Title of Presentation / Meeting Name
TILTING BOX METHOD (DYNAMIC SEGREGATION)

26
CONTENTS
SCC General
SCC Fresh Properties & test methods
SCC Engineering properties
SCC Various aspects
Case studies
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF SCC
In General:
Concrete properties mainly depend on the mix design ingredients
and proportions, not on the initial workability of the mix

However:
SCC mix designs vary from conventional concrete mix designs
Due to its high workability, SCC needs to
be monitored for:
Plastic Shrinkage
Segregation*

*All engineering properties discussed in this section assume

non-segregating, stable SCC
STRENGTH GAIN
Generally, SCC strength gain is like ordinary concrete with similar
proportions

Even at the same w/cm, properly designed SCC can exhibit higher
compressive strength than ordinary concrete. This can be
attributed to:
SCC mix designs tend to have higher fine content (cementitious,
pozzolanic or inert fillers)
Better dispersion of cement particles due to high HRWR dosage
Reduction of the risk of bleeding and segregation along with the lack of
mechanical vibration can further promote a more uniform
microstructure and less porous interface zone between the cement
paste and aggregate
DURABILITY: MIX DESIGNS

Mix Total SCM W/cm Coarse Agg/ Max. Agg.

Cementitious ratio Total Agg Ratio Size
Content

A 750 lbs/cu.yd. - 0.37 0.54 in.

B 750 lbs/cu.yd. 30% 0.37 0.54 in.

GGBFS

C 850 lbs/cu.yd. 40% 0.31 0.50 in.

GGBFS

D 705 lbs/cu.yd. 15% FA 0.42 0.53 in.

(Class F)
MIX DESIGNS FRESH CONCRETE PROPERTIES

Mix Slump Flow Air Content Compressive Strength

[in.] [%] 28 d. [psi]

A 23.5 25 5.8 - 6.2 6,800 psi

B 24 - 27 4.4 6.6 7,000 psi

C 25 28 4.5 6.8 7,500 psi

D 23.5 25.5 5.6 6.8 6,500 psi

HARDENED AIR (ASTM C-457)

Mix Air Content Specific surface Spacing factor Void

[%] area [in2/in3] [in.] Frequency

Spec. 5.0 - 8.0 600 - 1,100 0.004-0.008 >8

A 6.37 892 0.0053 14.22

B 4.18 1,151 0.0050 12.03

C 6.9 686 0.0065 N/A

D 6.03 293 0.0151 4.4

FREEZE/THAW DURABILITY (ASTM C-666)
MIXTURE DURABILITY WEIGHT LOSS
FACTOR (%) (%)

Mix A 96 0

Mix B 96 0.8

Mix C 97 0.11

Mix D 96 0.4
RAPID CHLORIDE PERMEABILITY (ASTM C-1202)
MIX D (15% FA)

2 000
Charge passed (coulombs)

1 500

1 000
RESULTS

500

0
28d 56d 70d 98d
DRYING SHRINKAGE

Drying shrinkage is similar for mixtures with

similar w/c, paste content
SCC - HARDENED PROPERTIES
Compressive strengths greater than 10000 psi can be easily
achieved

Tensile strength comparable to traditional concrete

Drying shrinkage close to traditional concrete can be achieved

Stronger bond to the reinforcement

Improves durability

Very low surface absorptions

CONTENTS
SCC General
SCC Fresh Properties & test methods
SCC Engineering properties
SCC Various aspects
Case studies
SCC VARIOUS ASPECTS
Mix Design
Production
Transportation
Placement
MIX DESIGN
Steps involved in SCC mix design:
Materials
Mix proportioning
Test for fresh & hardened properties
SCC MATERIALS
Aggregates

Normal concreting aggregates for structural concrete can be used.

Nominal maximum size of aggregate to be used depends on

reinforcement layout & minimum form dimension.

Aggregates should be well graded.

Blending natural and manufactured sand can improve SCC

properties
SCC MATERIALS
Cementitious materials and fines:

Cementitious materials and fillers are required for cohesion and

stability in larger proportions. Typically 356 475 kg/m3.

Fillers like lime stone powder derived from crushed rock,or active
materials like slag, Fly ash, silica fume may be used.

Fillers must be assessed for their effect on water demand and

rheology.
SCC MATERIALS
Chemical admixtures:

High Range Water Reducers

Polycarboxylate based
Conventional admixtures can also be used

Viscosity Modifying Admixtures (VMAs)

Other admixtures
- Retarders, air entrainers, accelerators etc.
TYPICAL SUPERPLASTICIZER MOLECULE V/S A
POLYCARBOXYLATE MOLECULE

ca.10-20 .

Cement
Grain
(Part)

4
ca. 20 m = 20.10

Cement Grain
(Part)

4
ca. 20 m = 20.10 ca. 100
VISCOSITY MODIFYING ADMIXTURES
Enhances Viscosity
Improved stability
Resists bleeding and segregation

Yield stress

VMA, Old tech

VMA, New tech.

Viscosity
SCC MIX DESIGN
Three approaches to design SCC mixes:

High powder content and HRWR

Low powder content, HRWR and VMA
Moderate powder content, HRWR and moderate VMA dose
MIXTURE PROPORTIONING
ACI 237, Table 2.5
Select target flow
SCC FOCUS AREA IN THE MIX DESIGN
Reduction in coarse aggregate content
Increase in paste content to increase fluidity
Manage the Rheology
MIXTURE PROPORTIONING
Select coarse aggregate size

Determine air content needed

Estimate cementitious content, lbs/cyd

600 650 lbs (< 22 flow)
650 750 lbs (22 26 flow)
750 lbs + (26 + flow)

Estimate water content

Prior experience
ACI 211

Proportion fine and coarse aggregate

Coarse aggregate 28 32% (NMA > )
Coarse aggregate 50% (NMA 3/8)
MIXTURE PROPORTIONING
Select admixtures (HRWR, VMA, retarder etc)

Conduct trial mixes to verify fresh and hardened properties

Test mix for instability (Qualification tests)

Verify properties at the plant

TYPICAL MIX DESIGN VOLUME PERCENTAGE

Admixture

Trace Trace
Water
18% 20%

Traditional Coarse Aggregate

SCC
28%
46%
concrete

34%
Sand
24%

12% Fines 18%

TYPICAL QUANTITIES OF MATERIALS
Coarse aggregate 28 32% (NMA > )
50% (NMA 3/8)

Paste fraction 34 40%

(Cm + filler + water)

Mortar fraction 68 72%

(Paste + sand vol.)

Powder Content, lbs/cyd 600 650 lbs (< 22 flow)

650 750 lbs (22 26 flow)
750 lbs + (26 + flow)
PRODUCTION
Factors affecting fresh properties:
Raw material consistency
Batching and mixing
Test for robustness (Acceptance test)
Quality Control
Higher degree of quality control
Moisture content and W/Cm ratio
Training site personals
Mock up
TRANSPORTATION
Transport:
SCC can be transported by conventional devices with certain
precautions.
FORM PRESSURE
Lateral form pressure is high for SCC due to low yield stress and plastic viscosity

Factors affecting form pressure:

Materials
Placement conditions
Form Characteristics

Research on going to evaluate form pressure, several models available

Till documented research is available, for faster discharge rate, forms should
designed for full liquid head
PLACEMENT
Factors affecting SCC placement:
Placement technique
Discharge rate & volume
Application
CONTENTS
SCC General
SCC Fresh Properties & test methods
SCC Engineering properties
SCC Various aspects
Case studies
 Case Study No. 1

Location: Maine, USA

Products: septic, pump stations, manholes,
retaining walls, special slabs,
residential products
PRECAST FACILITY
Average daily concrete production labor: 300 hours
Average daily concrete volume: 75 yards

Cost Comparisons
Conventional SCC
Batching 8 8
Transport 6 6
Placing 20 10
Vibration 5 .5
Floating/Finish 4 2 24.50 hourly
Clean up 4 2 savings @
Patching 7 1 USD $21=
$514.50
54 29.5
daily savings
Intangibles:
hours hours
Employee morale
Fall protection
No core slippage
SCC IN PRECAST APPLICATIONS

Precast and Pre-stressed application:

From Double Tees and bridge beams to septic tanks and manholes

Compressive strength ranging from 3,500 to 14,000 psi

Chloride permeability as low as 630 coulombs
Shrinkage as low as 0.032%
Case Study No. 2

National Museum
for the American Indian

Location: Washington, D.C.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN,
WASHINGTON, D.C

Owner: Smithsonian Institution

Concrete supplier: Aggregate Industries
Gen. Contractor: Clark Cnst-TMR JV
 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Features:
Structure intended to resemble a solid piece of
rock carved over time by wind and water.
No sharp angles in the structure
Custom built forms were used.

Why SCC?
Columns could not be vibrated properly
Extensive repairs needed for conventional concrete
Complicated shapes
Form failure due to vibration

30,000 cyd of SCC

Strength 6000 psi
Flow 24 inches
 Case Study No. 3

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Ready Mix: High Strength SCC
COMCAST CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA

Owner: Liberty/ Commerz

Concrete supplier: Action supply co.
Gen. contractor: L. F. Driscoll Company
COMCAST CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA
Features:
Height - 975 ft, 58 floor, tallest building in PA
The entire center core of the building was made with SCC
Gold LEED certified

Why SCC?
Congested reinforcement, faster production, ease of placement
and eliminate vibration

44,000 cyd of SCC

Strength 10,000 psi, 8,000 psi, 6000 psi
Avg flow. - 26
Significant amount of testing done by Sika
COMCAST BUILDING PHILADELPHIA PA
The ready-mix producer was approached with the request to supply SCC,
with consistent performance and minimum variation.
Benefits of using SCC :
End User :
Simplified construction method cutting on construction time
Faster concrete placement, easier pumpability
Ability to achieve full compaction in intricate areas with heavy steeL
Reinforcement
Reduced labor cost
Reduced patching and
rework
Concrete producer :
Faster truck turnaround due
to shorter discharge time into
pumps.
Ability to produce consistent
high quality concrete
COMCAST BUILDING PHILADELPHIA PA
Total Cementitious: 900lbs
No Silica Fume

Polycarboxylate HRWR 8-9fl.oz/cwt

Retarder 1-3fl.oz/cwt

Concrete was pumped vertically to

approximately 500ft (167 meters).
Total pumping height in the
last construction phase will be
approximately 900 vertical feet
(300m).
Strengths (field cured cylinders)
Compressive
_7 day 8560 psi
_28 day 12,720
56 day Flexural 1560 psi
COMCAST CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA
COMCAST CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA
COMCAST CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA
 Case Study No. 4

Location: High Concrete Structures

Denver, PA.
LAS VEGAS SPRING PRESERVE PROJECT

Owner: City of Las Vegas

Concrete supplier: Precision aggregate
Gen. Contractor: Tiberti const Whiting Tunrner JV
LAS VEGAS SPRING PRESERVE PROJECT
Feature:
Project created to restore the past history of Las Vegas
Platinum LEED certified

Why SCC?
Congested reinforcement
Aesthetics
RMC producer took the initiative

15,000 cyd of SCC

Strength 4500 psi
Flow 26
CONCLUSIONS
SCC is currently being used in numerous applications
worldwide as well as in the US and its acceptance is
rapidly spreading

The main advantages of SCC are:

Greatly improved concrete aesthetics
savings in labor and equipment, resulting in lower project
cost
feasibility of otherwise impossible project requirements
allowing for alternative construction methods
CONCLUSIONS
SCC is just as diverse as conventional slump
concrete and its properties can be adapted to
the different needs of the specific project.

SCC can be made to the same high standard

regarding durability, shrinkage and other key
properties as conventional slump concrete.

SCC IS Concrete!
Sika - leading the technology edge

QUESTIONS?