2 - Rheology and workability of SCC

Abstract

ACI 237 Committee report (2007) defines the self-compacting concrete (SCC) as the “…highly flowable, non-segregating concrete that can spread into place, fill the formwork, and encapsulate the reinforcement without any mechanical consolidation” (ACI 237R-07, 2007). Due to the ease of concrete casting in heavily reinforced and complicated access areas, the application of SCC in construction industry is growing rapidly. Workability of fresh SCC can be measured by filling ability, passing ability, segregation resistance and viscosity. This chapter includes the definition and history of SCC followed by important parameters on SCC rheology, common rheological models, and test apparatus for rheology. Key characteristics of fresh SCC including filling ability, passing ability, segregation resistance and finish ability and the tests on fresh SCC are discussed in the next section. Also, effects of different factors such as aggregates type and fillers types on the rheology and workability of SCC are addressed.