Title: Evaluation of SCC Formwork Pressure

Author(s): Kamal Henri Khayat and Ahmed F. Omran

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 32

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 30-34

Keywords: formwork; self-consolidating concrete; pressure prediction; empirical tests; design equations

DOI:

Date: 6/1/2010

Abstract:
A research project was undertaken with the aim of developing expertise and guidelines for predicting lateral formwork pressures associated with self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Lack of information regarding formwork pressure variations during casting and pressure decay following placement has prompted contractors and engineers to design for full hydrostatic pressure as recommended by ACI Committee 347. Unfortunately, this leads to increased costs for formwork systems—compromising profitability by offsetting cost savings associated with rapid placements and labor savings associated with SCC. This article reviews the study and discusses a pressure column device for predicting lateral pressure exerted by SCC; empirical test methods for evaluating the at-rest structural buildup of SCC—a phenomenon that has been shown to significantly affect formwork pressure; and proposed design equations for predicting pressure exerted by SCC on column and wall formwork.