Semi-flowable self-consolidating concrete using industrial wastes for construction of rigid pavements in India: An overview

The construction of rigid pavements using conventionally vibrated concrete consumes a significant amount of energy as it requires rigorous vibrations. This also requires a high number of laborers and creates noise during construction. Thus, a new kind of concrete called semi-flowable self-consolidating concrete (SFSCC) for pavement construction using slip-form paving technology is reviewed in this article. The SFSCC requires no energy for compaction as it gets compacted under its self weight. It also renders shape stability in the fresh state which is critical to expedite the construction in slip form concreting. The review focuses on the need, evolution, and requirement of the ingredient materials, mix design, and methods for testing the properties of SFSCC. Further, the utilization of industrial wastes in the construction industry and the production of self-consolidating concrete are discussed. The literature on the effect of different materials on the properties of such concrete and field studies in this context are discussed. Lastly, its suitability as pavement construction material either in normal rural roads or in low-volume village roads is discussed in the Indian context. The review reveals that relatively less amount of study on SFSCC in general and as a pavement material in particular is available in the literature and pursuant to this, creates a wide scope of research.