| The use of self compacting concrete has been | | | | automatically. Subsequently, it was noted that the |
| encountering a gradual increase ever since a | | | | self-compacting concrete reduced the period of |
| prototype of the concrete developed in the year | | | | anchorage construction by 20 percent, from 2.5 |
| 1988. Some of the main reasons for employing | | | | years to 2 years. |
| self compacting concrete are: | | | | This concrete was also utilized for the wall of a |
| | | | huge LNG tank of Osaka Gas Company. The |
| 1. To minimize the period of construction. | | | | concrete casting of this wall culminated in June |
| 2. To ensure structure compaction, particularly | | | | 1998. And the self compacting concrete volume |
| when vibrating compaction is tough in confined | | | | that was used in the tank came to a consolidated |
| zones. | | | | 12,000 m3. The fact that self compacting |
| 3. To eliminate noise produced due to vibration; | | | | concrete was adopted naturally implies the |
| this can be particularly effective in concrete | | | | following: |
| product plants. | | | | The lots number reduced to 10 from 14, since |
| This just goes to imply that the present state of | | | | the height of one concrete casting lot was |
| self compacting concrete is indeed a special one | | | | increased. |
| rather than the standard concrete. | | | | There was a reduction in the number of workers |
| A good example of an application of this concrete | | | | to 50 from 150. |
| is the Akashi-Kaikyo (Straits) Bridge anchorages. | | | | The period of construction of the structure |
| The bridge that was opened in April 1998 is a | | | | reduced to 18 months from 22 months. |
| suspension bridge that has the longest span in the | | | | Usually, self compacting concrete is made use of |
| world, at 1991 meters. | | | | in concrete products to remove vibration noise. |
| The cast concrete volume that was required for | | | | The working environment is thus enhanced at |
| the two anchorages reached around 290,000 m3. | | | | plants and it becomes possible for concrete |
| A novel construction system that takes complete | | | | product plants to be situated in urban areas. |
| advantage of this concrete performance was | | | | In 1996, the annual production of concrete |
| specially introduced for this. The concrete was | | | | products that make use of self compacting |
| missed at the batcher plant that was located | | | | concrete was over 200,000 tons |
| beside the site and then was discharged out of | | | | The undeniable truth is that self compacting |
| the plant. The concrete had to be transported | | | | concrete requires a lot of care and experience, |
| 200 meters via pipes to the casting site. Here, | | | | when compared to conventional vibrated |
| there was an arrangement of rows of pipes, | | | | concrete. Personnel at plants definitely require |
| about 3 to 5 meters apart. After this, the | | | | training and the right amount of expertise for |
| concrete was cast from gate valves that were | | | | successful production and handling of SCC. Initially, |
| located at an interval of 5 meters alongside the | | | | it might be necessary to perform several tests |
| pipes. | | | | than usual in order to learn about the intricacies |
| To ensure that the cast concrete surface level is | | | | and skill involved. |
| maintained, the valves were controlled | | | | |