Sometime ago, this was answered on a previous thread. If I remember correctly, your concerns are valid. However, if LaFarge has a specification for this material, I would contact their customer service and ask for specifics. Also, your ready-mix concrete supplier must be involved with this. If this is a product you want to use, make sure both the supplier of material and ready-mix company is involved.

 

 

No one from LaFarge seems to know much about it here, GA. or South East. I was told it was "expensive". No guarntees or support were available here if you wantes to try it. I just stick with what I am sure works.

According to a concrete design specialist in the area with Irving Materials Incorporated, SCC CAN achieve high slump without greatly increasing overall head pressures. They poured an 8ft. lift with Nudura last fall, and had no problems according to their report.
But for the price, I don't see the advantage. "Regular" concrete with proper vibration seems to be the best most practical solution.

IMI also has a self levelling slab mix that is poured at a 28-30 slump and requires no finishing. It breaks at 10,000 psi because of all the secret admixtures in it. Now one can pour a basement -braced to the outside- in the morning, and use the pump to pour the basement slab in the afternoon, without concrete slab finishing experience. Price for the mis is $130.00 and about $2000.00 for training and specialty tools needed....


Kevin

I think a lot of new admixtures have their use and place, however it basically places the blame on the form if something happens. If the mfg says "x" slump and you pour differently, its a site issue, not a mfg one.

I also encourage experimenting, so as long as whomever specified this mix is on the staging with you, go for it! In this case, LeFarge may very well want to be involved in the onsite pour, in order to document the actual process and how it works, or doesn't. However, if they scrutinize the actual use and document how it does, assuming very well, they will then be in a position to push their product for ICF useage.

Why is the mix spec'd so high?? I can get a 3500/ 1/2 stone mix for $88 at a 6??

Jim,

Thanks for the encouragement. I agree that if used properly an SCC mix has many advantages, the main one being taking the "human" factor out of consolidation. We will see how it all plays out. Also, what region are you quoting the 88 for? My area either seems expensive for ready mix or I need to do much more research.

I'm in CT.

Why not Ultravertical ICF from Lafarge ?
We get great consolidation and certainly have less liquid "head" pressure with it.
I don't think SCC's were designed for ICF's, more for Architectural exposed walls.
$3 K buys a lot of bloc.

Eric,

Is this a block or a mix?  I could not find "Ultravertical" associated with Lafarge on the net.  Please expand as I agree that $3,000 could certainly be used elsewhere.

Leonard

Call Lafarge and ask to speak to the Quality Control tech at your local plant.
They may have the same mix with a different name.
Small rock mix containing water reducing admixtures and polyheed(plasticizer) to make for easy consolidation and high slump pouring without loss of strength.
Not as pricey as SCC.
Should be able to pour in 4 or 5 ft lifts.

Just adding some second thoughts.......... pump mixes, which we all use for placing into ICF's are more homogenous than "chute mixes"
Most of us "learned" our lessons with chute mixes into conventional forms.
Honey combing could be an issue for sure, with these mixes, because they had a very high percentage of large rock, and a lower cement powder and fines ratio.

Today's pump mixes are really a different animal.
They have  homogenous qualities and  good gradation of different sized aggs, sands, fines, fly ash and chemical lubricants.
The rock remains suspended in the mix under great pressure, when applied by the pump.
Due also to the higher degree of training and knowledge by the RM plants, I see absolutely no need to think SCC is warranted for your pour.


Your RM supplier should have the ability to supply you with a high slump mix, 6 to 8 in, with lots of paste, fines and cream, making the use of vibration "almost" unnecessary, execpt for certain areas ie window lintels and areas of high rebar concentration.

If they can't, they should shut their doors. Feel free to copy this to them.

Another"key" to a successful pour is your Hoseman. Not enough credit is given to the grunts.
Controlling the hose to prevent "separation by ricochet" is something not discussed or even thought about.
He can prevent a lot of non-consolidation issues by paying attention, and watching out for problems.
Do not put the "airhead" on the end of the hose.