A Review of JAY BENEDICT T.

SANIDAD

Self-compacting concrete (S.C.C) is now widely used these days. Simply because

it is more like a fluid type of concrete which solves most of the problems related to ordinary

concrete such as maintaining concrete’s durability and strength and improving

constructability and structural integrity. Moreover, it easily gets compacted resulting to fill

special and complex forms under its own weight and to minimize voids on highly reinforced

areas. It also eliminates the need for an internal vibrator/mechanical consolidation which

reduces labor and equipment wear. It is useful in projects like underwater projects and

pre-cast sections which don’t require compaction and vibrations. Its properties require

resistance to segregation by using mineral fillers or fines and special admixtures. It must

also be at its relatively higher velocity to be compacted and fill the voids easily.

The only problem to this is that S.C.C is expensive than the usual concrete like

Portland cement. Fortunately, recent studies of Masahiro Ouchi, Kenta Kameshima and

Anuwatt Attachaiyawuth shows that conventional fresh concrete can now improve its self-

compacting properties same with the S.C.C., with the use of air entrainment. Air

entrainment is an intentional trapping of tiny air bubbles into the concrete and is used in

freezing and thawing environment. Air also produces stickier, more cohesive concrete. If

succeeded, not just their objective in improving its self-compaction properties such as less

segregation will be attained but it can reduce cement quantity and cost by replacing some

portions of concrete as air bubbles. After all, air bubbles can act as fines due to its small

size. Moreover, it improves workability and increases slump and it can withstand also the

natural occurrence of weathering whereof the water can expand without damaging the

concrete if it becomes hardened concrete. The problem is, it might also produce large air

bubbles which can undermine strength, reducing its durability which can lead to concrete

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destruction/deterioration and of course, accidents and death. One solution that they study

is the use of antifoaming agent.

Something that I am curious about while reading this journal is that why antifoaming

agent as eliminator of large bubbles. Could they just reduce the air entraining(AE) agent?

Well, Of course AE agent can’t just be reduced except if the dosage is adjusted, so it is

not applicable. According also to the journal, antifoaming agent has an “adverse effect on

the air bubble distribution” which means its properties prevent the concrete from forming

foams which can hinders from rising of too much and too large bubbles in the surface

entrained by AE agent. I thought that it is a smart move because it flourishes the whole

concrete by having just the right amount of air bubbles needed at the same time applying

the property of a true S.C.C. due to the fact that it gives the concrete low viscosity which

is needed in having a fluid type of concrete. The said journal compares the fine bubbles

in the ball bearing of fly ash which is also good in improving concrete’s workability and

self-compatibility. Now, we can achieve the properties that fly ash gives the concrete

without using it, thus eliminating some materials and also improving much more than fly

ash can do.

Studies show also that adjusting the mixing procedure along with AE agent and

time when to add the anti-foaming agent might help in making the air bubbles finer. This

is due to the fact that mixture must have low friction or resistance in order to flow and

smaller bubbles cannot harm its fluidity which is contrary in large bubbles. Unfortunately,

in dividing water mixing, it only increases large bubbles. Therefore, it is okay to add it any

time for the mixing itself will do the work along with the AE agent. It is kind of a bummer

that the anti-foaming agent plays a little role in this situation and it is more effective to

entrained the air rather than eliminate. But at the end of the day, the goal is to have finer

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bubbles which is achieve at the end of the process. In the second procedure which is

mixing all together, studies show that higher AE agent in the mixture and then adding of

anti-foaming agent decreases its friction resulting to produce smaller bubbles. Therefore,

AE agent must react first in the mixture in order for the anti-foaming agent to reduce

unwanted air bubbles.

By this procedure, it can practically utilize in self-compacting concrete production

and may use in strengthening every concrete. This can actually solve the increasing

problem of most construction companies when it comes to economic competitiveness.

Now every fresh concrete can be like this super concrete. It is now durable, has superior

strength, easy to use, and now it is more efficient, effective, and economic.