Influence of self-compacting concrete on the lateral pressure on formwork

The paper describes a study carried out to examine the effect of self-compacting concrete (SCC) on the lateral pressure on formwork. This comprised two series: (a) control tests, with SCC and comparative concretes (Portland cement (PC) and superplasticised, high-consistence (SP-HC)) cast in 8·0 m columns and walls, and measurements made of concrete and pore water pressures (ten elements) and (b) site tests, with similar properties considered on actual reinforced SCC members during their construction (seven elements). In the control tests, concrete was poured from above to the rising surface at slow (3·0 m/h) and fast (80·0 m/h) rates of rise (with compaction used in the PC and SP-HC concretes only). The results from these indicate that maximum concrete pressures with SCC were slightly lower than those of the comparative concretes at both rates of rise and in columns and walls. Pore water pressures were less than concrete pressures, except with the fast rate of rise for SCC and SP-HC concrete, where the re...