{ "id": 2907, "date": "2024-12-30T15:08:34", "date_gmt": "2024-12-30T15:08:34", "guid": { "rendered": "https:\/\/prairieprod.vcnastaging.com\/?p=2907" }, "modified": "2024-12-30T15:09:32", "modified_gmt": "2024-12-30T15:09:32", "slug": "sccs-future-takes-shape", "status": "publish", "type": "post", "link": "https:\/\/www.prairie.com\/fr\/sccs-future-takes-shape\/", "title": { "rendered": "SCC’s Future Takes Shape" }, "content": { "rendered": "

\u200b\u200bIt\u2019s fast. It flows. It\u2019s smooth in the finish and strong for the long haul.<\/p>\n

And now, fresh innovations will make self-consolidating concrete even more popular with architects, engineers and builders around the world, say experts who gathered in Chicago earlier this month at the 5th<\/sup>\u00a0\u200bNorth American Conference on Self-Consolidating Concrete<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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More than 200 materials scientists from 35 countries attended the event, including 5 technical and quality control experts from Prairie Material. Sessions throughout the 3-day conference showcased new research findings in materials, mix design, production and performance, leading up to a live demo and workshop hosted by\u00a0Dr. Mohsen A. Issa<\/strong>\u00a0of the Department of Civil and Materials Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago.<\/p>\n

Observers at the demo watched as SCC provide\u200bd by Prairie\u2019s Yard 33 flowed into a 6-foot-high, U-shaped form built by Dr. Issa\u2019s graduate students. The form\u2019s Plexiglas surfaces revealed the mix\u2019s stability as it flowed down one narrow channel, across the form\u2019s bottom and up the other vertical leg with no segregation.<\/p>\n

New tools, methods for field testing<\/h2>\n

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The demo continued as smaller batches were loaded into wheelbarrows, and\u00a0Joe Daczko<\/strong>\u00a0of BASF and\u00a0Ara Jeknavorian<\/strong>\u00a0of W.R. Grace demonstrated hands-on testing of slump flow, passability and visual stability index (VSI). Using a field rheometer, Jeknavorian showed observers how to test for shear rate, viscosity and yield stress rate.<\/p>\n

On-site tests of this kind support lab findings, ultimately making it possible to produce better SCC in the field, Daczko pointed out. \u201cYou can\u2019t do every lab test in the field, but every field test should also be done in the lab,\u201d he explained. \u201cThat\u2019s how we know what the values tell us and what adjustments to make for better performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unique mixes for sustainable building<\/h2>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re amazed by the research presented here this week and we\u2019re seeing some advances we can put to work almost right away,\u201d said\u00a0Steve Fleming<\/strong>, Prairie\u2019s technical services director.<\/p>\n

Fleming named better field testing methods, lightweight SCC, new mixes that incorporate nanomaterials and fiber-reinforced SCC among the near-term trends to watch.<\/p>\n

In the years ahead, builders will also benefit from advances that will make SCC a favored material for sustainable construction, he noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to reduce the carbon footprint and make SCC more eco-friendly, with greater proportions of supplementary cementitious materials and recycled aggregates,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Kejin Wang<\/strong>\u00a0of Iowa State University, chair of the conference. Researchers shared findings on innovative mixes that incorporate recycled concrete, byproduct sand, waste tire rubber aggregate and even the residue from palm oil manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Worldwide look at successful projects<\/h2>\n

Case studies presented at the conference revealed SCC\u2019s potential in a growing variety of projects and settings:<\/p>\n

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  • Bridge structures<\/strong>\u00a0from Arkansas to Australia to Saudi Arabia showed SCC\u2019s strength and versatility, including one from Northern Ireland featuring an SCC bridge deck.<\/li>\n
  • High-speed rail lines<\/strong>\u00a0in China used SCC as a super-tough base layer, and\u00a0rock-filled concrete dams<\/strong>\u00a0throughout the country took full advantage of SCC\u2019s flowability and finished strength.<\/li>\n
  • The underwater intake tunnel<\/strong>\u00a0placed 2 miles offshore and 750 feet below the surface of Nevada\u2019s Lake Mead utilized a unique SCC tremie mix.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n