Self-flow concrete, also known as self-consolidating concrete (SCC), is a type of concrete that is highly fluid and can flow and fill complicated forms without the need for external compaction. Self-flow concrete is typically made using similar materials to traditional concrete, but with the addition of chemical admixtures to improve its flow and workability.
There are several different types of self-flow concrete, including:
- High-performance self-consolidating concrete (HPSCC): This is a high-strength self-flow concrete that is designed to have superior durability and performance. It typically has a low water-cement ratio and contains high-quality aggregates and pozzolanic materials to improve its strength and durability.
- Lightweight self-consolidating concrete (LWSCC): This is a lightweight self-flow concrete that is designed to have a low density and improved insulation properties. It typically contains lightweight aggregates such as expanded shale or perlite.
- Fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete (FRSCC): This is a self-flow concrete that is reinforced with fibers, typically made of steel or synthetic materials, to improve its toughness and resistance to cracking. The fibers are distributed throughout the concrete mix to provide reinforcement throughout the structure.
- Self-consolidating concrete with mineral admixtures (M-SCC): This is a self-flow concrete that contains mineral admixtures, such as fly ash or silica fume, which can improve the concrete’s strength, durability, and workability. The use of mineral admixtures can also reduce the overall environmental impact of the concrete.
- Self-consolidating concrete with recycled materials (R-SCC): This is a self-flow concrete that contains recycled materials, such as crushed glass or recycled aggregates, to reduce the amount of waste produced during the construction process. The use of recycled materials can also help to reduce the environmental impact of the concrete.
Self-flow concrete is used in a wide variety of applications, including in precast concrete elements, cast-in-place concrete, and decorative concrete. Its ability to flow and fill complex forms without the need for external compaction makes it particularly useful in applications where traditional concrete would be difficult or impossible to use.
