Trade Journals for the Concrete Industry

The introduction of self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a huge step for a precast concrete plant, with many difficulties and challenges to overcome. However, it is a required step in the process of coming to a more intensively automated construction process with many advantages concerning product quality, energy saving and preservation of the environment. While the properties of SCC are well-known now to industry, less information seems available concerning the contribution of SCC towards automation of the production process. Furthermore, the economic and ecological profit are agreed upon by almost everyone, but nevertheless are hardly ever quantified. This paper summarizes some information on different aspects. First, it is indicated how the application of SCC could lead to an almost fully automated production process, with advanced mixing, pumping and formwork filling techniques. Furthermore, an estimation is made of the energy saving and ecological profit when a concrete plant is shifting its production to self-compacting concrete technology. Information on environmental impact (reduction of noise and vibration ...) is given as well. SCC provides a real contribution to the concrete plant of the future.