Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) – The Latest Emerging Technology in Co Self-Compacting_Concrete_(SCC)_–_The_Latest_Emergi | Page 6

Additional Technical Aspects
Following are more interesting technical aspectson the use of SCC:
SCC technology has made possible by super-plasticizers . Super-plasticizers are an essential
component of SCC to provide the necessary workability. Other types may be incorporated as
necessary, such as viscosity modifying agents (VMA) for stability, air entraining admixture (AEA)
to improve freeze-thaw resistance, retarders for control of setting etc.
In SCC, admixture material added during the mixing process of concrete in small quantities
related to the mass of cement (0.8-1.2% of total cementitious content) to modify the properties
of fresh or hardened concrete.
SCC is able to flow under its own weight & completely fill the formwork, even in the
presence of dense reinforcement, without the need of any vibration, whilst maintaining
homogeneity.
It is able to remain homogeneous in composition during transport & placing.
The max. size of aggregate in SCC depends on the particular application & is usually limited to 20
mm. In SCC , moisture content should be closely monitored & must be taken into account in order
to produce SCC of constant quality.
Due to the special rheological requirements of SCC, both inert & reactive additions are commonly
used to improve & maintain the workability , as well as to regulate the cement content & so reduce
the Heat of Hydration. Typical additions are:
Stone Powder
Fly Ash
Silica Fume
Ground Blast Furnace Slag
Ground Glass Filler.
Due to high content of powder, SCC may show more plastic shrinkage or creep than ordinary
concrete mixes. Special care should also be taken to begin curing the concrete as early as
possible due to SCC tends to dry faster than conventional concrete because there is little
or no bleed water at the surface.