A review of the hardened mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete

Abstract

Data from more than 70 recent studies on the hardened mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) have been analysed and correlated to produce comparisons with the properties of equivalent strength normally vibrated concrete (NVC). The significant scatter obtained in much of the data is a consequence of the wide range of materials and mixes used for SCC, but clear relationships have been obtained between cylinder and cube compressive strength, tensile and compressive strengths, and elastic modulus and compressive strength. It is also clear that limestone powder, a common addition to SCC mixes, makes a substantial contribution to strength gain. Bond strength of SCC to reinforcing and prestressing steel is similar to or higher than that of normally vibrated concrete. Variation of in situ properties in structural elements cast with SCC is similar to that with NVC, and the performance of the structural elements is largely as predicted by the measured material properties. The analysis has shown that sufficient data have been obtained to give confidence in the general behaviour of SCC, and future studies need only be focused on specific or confirmatory data for particular applications.