Basic principles and requirements of self compacting concrete / Mohd Syahrul Hisyam Mohd Sani and Ahmad Rasidi Osman

Self compacting concrete (See), also referred to as self consolidating
concrete, is able to flow and consolidate under its
own weight. It is cohesive enough to fill the spaces of almost any
size and shape without segregation or bleeding. A see, which has
excellent deformability and resistance to segregation and can be
filled in heavily, reinforced formwork without vibrators. The physical
behaviour of the wet concrete extremely flow-able cohesive means
that it can be placed without the need for vibration, yet giving a
hardened concrete which exhibits excellent results for surface finish,
density and strength. The required workability for casting depends
on several factors, such as the type of construction, the selected
placement and consolidation methods, the shape of formwork, and
the congestion nature of the reinforcement. With the increasing use
of congested reinforcements in mat foundations and moment resisting
reinforced concrete structures, there is a growing interest
in specifying highly flow-able concrete (Okamura, Ozawa, Ouchi
2000). New see technology can eliminate the need for vibration,
making it possible to reduce labour costs while improving the overall
work environment for construction personnel. Faster placement and
less finishing time can improve productivity and profitability.
Increased flow-ability and consolidation can improve appearance
and enhance the durability of the finished element.