Flow simulation of self-consolidating concrete through V-funnel for sustainable buildings

Abstract

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is one of the trending low-yield stress material innovations of the new age building industry due to its ability to flow through heavily reinforced structural members without segregation and without losing its moderate viscosity. In this research paper, a V-funnel simulation has been developed for the flow time to establish its validity with allowable design conditions according to the European standard. The Bernoulli’s equation and the continuity flow state conditions were adopted for the V-funnel of 515 mm upper width, 75 mm thick, and vertical dimensions (depth) of 450 mm and 150 mm for the V-section and funnel duct (75 mm × 65 mm) respectively. Concrete shear stress with the funnel wall was considered as a factor of concrete unit weight (ρ) and frictional force under downward velocity with respect to variational height (dh). The result of the V-funnel simulation for the flow time shows that the kinematic viscosity (η) of the concrete is bound within the limits of 0 and 1/64. This implies that ηmin ≈ 0 (no friction with walls), and the minimum flow time (Tmin) becomes 8.7 sec while minimum shear stress is zero (τmin ≈ 0 N/m2). However, for ηmax ≈ 1/64 (maximum friction with walls of τmax τ ρ/64 N/m2 is attained) and Tmax becomes 18.9 sec. These values fall within the flow time after 10 seconds of mixing, ranging between 8 and 10 seconds, and the flow time after 5 minutes of mixing of 11 to 25 seconds, according to the European Guidelines for self-consolidating concrete. These results for the flow simulation of the concrete placement during construction, are also consistent with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) for technological innovation, infrastructure, and sustainable cities.