Comparison of conventional concrete with rollerc compacted concrete in dam construction / Hubert Maphel anak Jonathan Tait

This literature research is conducted to compare conventional concrete (CVC) with roller
compacted concrete (RCC) in dam construction. CVC does not have the ability to support
a roller while being compacted. On the other hand, RCC is a concrete in its unhardened
state that will support a roller while it is being compacted. At early stage, RCC is only
applied in pavement construction. However, recently RCC is widely used for dam
construction.
There are several differences between CVC and RCC. Contrary to a CVC dam, upstream
facing systems are very essential in a RCC dam. In terms of downstream section, the ratio
of the face is in the range of 0.7 (Horizontal) to 1(Vertical) to 0.8 (Horizontal) to 1
(Vertical). On the other hand, the face should not steeper than 0.8 (Horizontal) to
1(Vertical) for a RCC dam. CVC dam normally has thickness greater than RCC.
Regarding construction materials, RCC dams have used mineral admixtures to reduce the
amount of cement in the mixtures. Furthermore, the NMSA of CVC dams are bigger than
RCC dams. For the construction equipment part, heavy machineries do the construction
of RCC dams. Besides, CVC dams are internally consolidated while RCC dams are
externally consolidated. For fresh concrete properties, CVC mixtures are generally have
higher workability than RCC mixtures. RCC has no-slump consistency. In terms of
hardened concrete properties, the hardened properties of the RCC mixtures are almost
similar CVC.
Overall, RCC is better than CVC. The advantages of RCC include low construction
material cost, reduction of size of stilling basin and rapid construction. All these features
have enabled reduction of the total cost of a RCC dam construction.
Other than for pavement and dam construction, RCC is also suitable for other hydraulic
structures such as embankment overtopping protection, wave breakers, leeves and bank
protection. In addition, RCC may be used for slope protection, foundation stabilisation,
massive open foundations, large work pads and base slabs.