WELCOME TO THE ZONE

The SCC zone is the place to learn all about Self Consolidating Concrete as well as log in to Sika’s SCC Mix Design Tool.

Are you a current customer and what to design an OUTSTANDING, OPTIMIZED SCC mix? 
Contact us with your company name and Sika sales representative's name and we’ll assist you!

Products

Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100

HIGH RANGE WATER REDUCING ADMIXTURE
Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 provides the shortest level of slump life and fastest setting time in the Sika® ViscoCrete® product line making it especially suitable for precast/prestress applications. Various levels of water reduction can be achieved by adjusting the dosage rate of Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100.     When used as a high range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 40% can be obtained. The superplasticizing action of Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 allows for the production of high slump/flow concrete with excellent workability that can typically be placed with minimal vibration even at an extremely low water/cementitious ratio.   At lower dosages rates Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 is an effective normal water reducing or mid-range water reducing admixture. This application is ideal for use in conventional concrete containing supplementary cementitious materials.     The combined water reducing and superplasticizing action of Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 provides the following benefits:    
▪ Reduced water cement ratios produce more durable, dense concrete, ▪ Increased slump and workability improves efficiency of labor and reduces labor costs,  ▪ Improved finishing characteristics,     
▪ Increased early and ultimate strengths allow faster structural use of concrete,
▪ Increased early strengths allow faster demolding and more efficient use of forms for precast producers.
    Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 does not contain intentionally added chlorides.

Sikament®-686

High Range Water Reducing Admixture
High Range Water Reducing Applications: When used as a high range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 30 % can be obtained. The superplasticizing action allows for the production of high slump flowing concrete with excellent workability that can be placed with minimum vibration even at a low water/cementitious ratio. The dispersing action of Sikament®-686 maximizes cement hydration efficiency and improves concrete’s early and long term compressive strengths.   Mid Range Water Reducing Applications: At a lower dosage, Sikament®-686 can be used as a cost effective mid range water reducing admixture or simply as a water reducing admixture for production of conventional slump concrete. When used as a mid range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 15 % can be obtained. This application is ideal for use with lean, harsh concrete mixes or concrete containing fly ash. Sikament®-686 will improve workability and finishability. The combined water reducing and superplasticizing action provide the following benefits:
  • Higher early and ultimate strengths for cost effective high strength concrete and earlier structural use of concrete.
  • Higher early strengths allow faster demolding and more efficient use of forms to precast producers.
  • Increased slump improves workability and reduces labor costs.
  • Full flow action aids in pumping and reduces need for vibration.
  • Greater concrete density reduces permeability and increases durability.
   Sikament®-686 does not contain calcium chloride or any other intentionally added chlorides and will not initiate or contribute to corrosion on steel reinforcement present in the concrete.

Sikament®-610

High Range Water Reducing Admixture
Water Reduction: Implication of high performance polymers allows Sikament®-610 to be used for all levels of water reduction. Sikament®-610 delivers high early strength development without causing delay of setting time, while providing a window of workability that makes it useful for most concreting applications. Sikament®-610 is designed for both the production of conventional slump concrete, as well as for SCC applications.    High Plasticity and Cohesion: The superplasticizing action of Sikament®-610 allows the production of high-slump concrete without segregation such that concrete can be placed with minimal vibrations even at low water cement ratios. Sikament®-610 is typically very cost effective when used for water reduction in the range of 20–25 %. Sikament®-610 maintains excellent cohesion within the concrete matrix eliminating excessive bleeding and/or segregation. The combined high range water reduction and efficient dispersing action of Sikament®-610 provide the following benefits in hardened concrete:   
  • Higher early compressive strengths for earlier removal of forms and structural use of concrete.
  • Higher ultimate strengths allow for greater engineering design flexibility and structural economies.
  • Reduced water cement ratios produce more durable, dense concrete with reduced permeability.
  • Highly effective dispersion reduces surface defects in concrete elements and improves aesthetic appearance.
  • In combination with set time accelerators or hardening accelerators, its fast setting characteristics and fast early strength development allows users to reduce the amount of heat necessary to achieve stripping strength.
    Sikament®-610 has been formulated to provide maximum water reduction and increased early strength. In addition improved finishing characteristics may be achieved, particularly when final finish, such as broom finish, is desired. Sikament®-610 does not contain calcium chloride or any other intentionally added chlorides and will not initiate or promote the corrosion of steel present in the concrete.

Sika ViscoFlow®-2020

WATER REDUCING AND WORKABILITY RETAINING ADMIXTURE
Various levels of water reduction and workability retention can be achieved by adjusting the dosage rate of Sika ViscoFlow®-2020.    At lower dosage rates Sika ViscoFlow®-2020 provides mild to moderate water reduction with some extended workability. At higher dosage rates, or when used in combination with other water reducing admixtures, Sika ViscoFlow®-2020 provides high range water reduction with greater workability retention and the superplasticizing action allows for the production of high slump/flow concrete that can typically be placed with minimal vibration even at an extremely low water/cementitious ratio.   Concrete produced with Sika ViscoFlow®-2020 typically maintains consistency and workability for longer periods. The combined water reducing and superplasticizing action of Sika ViscoFlow®-2020 provides the following benefits:    ▪ Reduced water cement ratios produce more durable, dense concrete, ▪ Reduced concrete stickiness results in lower pumping pressures, ▪ Consistent and predictable slump life performance, ▪ Minimal effect on setting times at lower dosage rates, ▪ Increased slump and workability improves efficiency of labor and reduces labor costs, ▪ Minimizes or eliminates the need for concrete retempering,
▪ Improved finishing characteristics, ▪ Increased strengths allow faster structural use of concrete,      Sika ViscoFlow®-2020 does not contain intentionally added chlorides.

WHAT IS SELF CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE?

Very simply, Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC) is simply a mix that is optimized for flow characteristics.

SCC, similarly to all concrete mixes, should be carefully designed to achieve the required performance characteristics, while being properly placed and properly cured.

DEFINITION

SCC is highly flowable, non-segregating concrete that can spread into place, fill the formwork, and encapsulate the reinforcement without any mechanical consolidation (ACI 237).

Workers setting up rebar to pour concrete floor on construction site at Limmat building in Zurich
Worker pouring concrete from truck
ADVANTAGES OF SELF CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE
  • Significant noise reduction: Little or no vibration required
  • Improved Health and Safety
  • Consistency
  • Surface finishing/ Appearance
  • New Design possibilities:
    1. Possibility of casting heavily reinforced, inaccessible and complicated shapes 
  • Economics:
    1. Reduced Manpower requirements (Faster and Easier Placement)
    2. Less wear & tear and maintenance for Equipment (Cranes, mixers, vibrators, etc.)
    3. Less Patching and Repair
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SELF CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE

SCC was developed in 1988 in Japan by Prof. Okamura and a team of academics at the University of Tokyo, in conjunction with major contractors. It is based on technologies used in underwater concrete placement. Test methods and procedures have been well established since its development. An example of its application is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, featuring anchor blocks and 180,000 cubic yards of SCC.