Proportioning of self–compacting concrete mixes based on target plastic viscosity and compressive strength: Part I - mix design procedure

Abstract

Methods for proportioning self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes have not kept pace with their production techniques. This paper develops a mix design method for SCC based on the desired target plastic viscosity and compressive strength of the mix. The simplicity and usefulness of this method are enhanced by the provision of design charts as a guide for mix proportioning. The target plastic viscosity of these mixes varied between 3 and 15 Pa s, and the characteristic cube strength between 30 and 80 MPa at 28 days age. Several examples on the use of the design charts are given. In a companion paper experimental validation of the mix design procedure is provided on a series of SCC mixes in both the fresh and hardened states.

Keywords:

• Self-compacting concrete
• mix design
• plastic viscosity
• cube compressive strength

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.