SCC TESTS GUIDELINES BY EFNARC, 2005
(European Federation of Specialist Construction Chemicals and Concrete Systems)
SLUMP TEST
The following are typical slump-flow classes for a range of applications:
1. SF1 (550 - 650 mm) is appropriate for:
• unreinforced or slightly reinforced concrete structures that are cast
from the top with free displacement from the delivery point (e.g. housing
slabs)
• casting by a pump injection system (e.g. tunnel linings)
• sections that are small enough to prevent long horizontal flow (e.g.
piles and some deep foundations).
2. SF2 (660 - 750 mm) is suitable for many normal applications (e.g. walls,
columns)
3. SF3 (760 – 850 mm) is typically produced with a small maximum size of
aggregates (less than 16 mm). It is used for vertical applications in very
congested structures, structures with complex shapes, or for filling under
formwork. SF3 often gives a better surface finish than SF2 for normal vertical
applications but segregation resistance is more difficult to control.
Target values higher than 800 mm may be specified in some special cases. Still,
great care should be taken regarding segregation and the maximum size of
aggregate should normally be lower than 12 mm.
SCC (Self-compacting concrete)
SF1 to SF3 (Consistence classes expressed by slump-flow)
VS1 to VS2 (Viscosity classes expressed by T500)
VF1 to VF2 (Viscosity classes expressed by V-Funnel time)
PA1 to PA2 (Passing ability classes expressed by passing ability (L-Box test))
VISCOSITY TEST (V-FUNNEL)
The viscosity of SCC is classified into:
1. VS1 (V-funnel time < 8 seconds), and
2. VS2 (V-funnel time between 9 -25 seconds)
VS1/VF1 has good filling ability even with congested reinforcement. It is capable of
self-leveling and generally has the best surface finish. However, it is more likely to
suffer from bleeding and segregation.
VS2/VF2 has no upper class limit but with increasing flow time it is more likely to
exhibit thixotropic effects, which may be helpful in limiting the formwork pressure or
improving segregation resistance.
PASSING ABILITY (L-BOX)
It is important to define the confinement gap when specifying SCC. The defining
dimension is the smallest gap (confinement gap) through which SCC has to
continuously flow to fill the formwork. Unless the reinforcement is very congested,
the space between reinforcement and formwork cover is not normally taken into
account as SCC can surround the bars and does not need to continuously flow
through these spaces.
Examples of passing ability specifications are given below:
1. PA 1 structures with a gap of 80 mm to 100 mm, (e.g. housing, vertical
structures)
2. PA 2 structures with a gap of 60 mm to 80 mm, (e.g. civil engineering
structures)
With L-box test;
PA1 (= 0.80 with 2 rebars)
PA2 (= 0.80 with 3 rebars)
For thin slabs where the gap is greater than 80 mm and other structures where the
gap is greater than 100 mm no specified passing ability is required.
For complex structures with a gap of less than 60 mm, specific mock-up trials may
be necessary.
