Self compacting concrete

[lizzieuk1]

Does anyone know if there's any reason you can't  use self compacting concrete in an insulated raft? 

(Not talking about flow screed types)

[JohnMo]

Possibly, but you need to go to your structural engineer to ensure it is of a suitable structural strength.

[Mr Punter]

I can't see why not.  It may be a fair bit more expensive and although it is self compacting, it will not necessarily be level.  I would get a decent concrete contractor and use standard concrete.

[Russell griffiths]

Have you looked into the availability 

when I thought about it briefly it wasn’t available locally so that stopped that idea. 

[lizzieuk1]

1 hour ago, JohnMo said:

Possibly, but you need to go to your structural engineer to ensure it is of a suitable structural strength.

I have asked if we can use scc and they have said no but, not given a reason. AFAIK the scc is made to the required strength(in our case C25/30) but has added platiciser to improve flow, I don't think it affects strength but, I'm certainly no expert, just reading up on the Internet concrete sites for info and so far that's what I've understood.

[lizzieuk1]

44 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

Have you looked into the availability 

when I thought about it briefly it wasn’t available locally so that stopped that idea. 

Yes, we have a local company that can supply it and, its not much more than standard. A standard mix with crew comes in around £500 more, not much so we will use that if it is the best option.

[carlos21]

whats self compacting concrete?

[JohnMo]

49 minutes ago, lizzieuk1 said:

and they have said no

So you can't use it then, you can ask the reason, but doesn't really change anything.

 

What the fascination of SCC?

[lizzieuk1]

2 hours ago, JohnMo said:

So you can't use it then, you can ask the reason, but doesn't really change anything.

 

What the fascination of SCC?

I've asked the question of why, my initial thought is they're worried that the eps profiles might suffer damage from the pressure of a more liquid flow. We can mitigate with shuttering if that is the only reason. I can't find any other real reason why it wouldn't be suitable, seems it has the same inherent strength as standard mix.

No fascination just a desirability to do as much of the build as we can and, this allows us to manage the pour etc, instead of needing a full crew to lay it. 

[lizzieuk1]

3 hours ago, carlos21 said:

whats self compacting concrete?

It's a mix that has added plasticiser, usually with a 10mm and below aggregate,  it flows more freely than a standard mix into mesh etc and doesnt leave air pockets. It doesn't require vibrating or power floating as compacts itself to a fairly level finish. May need a bull float to get the final finish but nothing more.