ICAR Mixture Proportioning Procedure for Self-Consolidating Concrete

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an advanced type of concrete that can flow under its own mass without vibration, pass through intricate geometrical configurations, and resist segregation. The use of SCC can result in increased construction productivity, improved jobsite safety, and improved concrete quality. To achieve SCC workability, the materials and mixture proportions must be carefully selected. The ICAR mixture proportioning procedure was developed as part of ICAR Research Project 108: Aggregates in Self-Consolidating Concrete. This research project evaluated the workability and hardened properties of SCC mixtures composed of a wide range of materials and mixture proportions. The ICAR mixture proportioning procedure is based on a fundamental, rheology-based framework for concrete workability and is designed and written to be accessible and comprehensible. The procedure provides specific guidelines for each aspect of the mixture proportioning process but intentionally avoids long calculations or restrictive, discrete inputs. Instead, deliberate laboratory testing is conducted with actual job materials to establish final mixture proportions efficiently. All required testing is conducted with methods standardized by ASTM International.