Last month, construction/project management firm EllisDon participated in a study on the effects of formwork pressure when using self-consolidating concrete (SCC).

The study—“SCC Under Pressure”—took place in Toronto from August 25 to 28, and was a continuation on research and models developed to forecast maximum formwork pressure when using SCC. The event’s focus was on establishing a connection between the models and real-time measured pressure. Overall, the goal of the study is to revise the current design codes and standards of the American Construction Institute (ACI).

Three research groups—including members of EllisDon’s Construction Sciences Department, as well as professors and researchers from across North America—placed various SCC mixtures in eight columns at different casting rates, and compared the predictor models with measured pressures.

“Restrictive codes and standards have led to over-conservative formwork designs, and an increase in formwork costs,” EllisDon’s Robert Quattrociocchi said. “This has caused the industry to shy away from this beneficial technology, but our goal remains to prove not all SCC placements produce full hydro-static pressure.”

SCC is described as a high-performance concrete that fills formwork and encapsulates reinforcement without mechanical vibration. Benefits of employing SCC include reduced noise pollution and durability.

The findings of the study will be presented during this December’s Construct Canada show.