Self-compacting concrete opens up new potentials beyond conventional concrete applications:
- Use with closely meshed reinforcement
- For complex geometric shapes
- For slender components
- Generally where compaction of concrete is difficult
- For specifications requiring a homogeneous concrete structure
- For fast installation rates
- To reduce noise (eliminate or reduce vibration)
- To reduce damage to health (‘white knuckle’ syndrome)
Sika's Self-Compacting Concrete Solutions
Installation of Self-Compacting Concrete
Formwork Surface
The formwork for self-compacting concrete must be clean and tight. The formwork pressures can be higher than for normal vibrated concrete. The formwork pressure is dependent on the viscosity of the concrete, the installation rate and the filling point. The full hydrostatic pressure potential of the concrete should be used for the general formwork design
Placing Method
Self-compacting concrete is placed in the same way as conventional concrete. SCC must not be freely discharged from a great height. The optimum flow potential and surface appearance are obtained by installation with a filling socket from below or by tremie pipes which reach beneath the concrete surface level.