APPLICATIONS OF SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE IN JAPAN, EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

Japan has used self-compacting concrete (SCC) in bridge, building and tunnel construction since the early 1990’s. In the last five years, a number of SCC bridges have been constructed in Europe. In the United States, the application of SCC in highway bridge construction is very limited at this time. However, the U.S. precast concrete industry is beginning to apply the technology to architectural concrete. SCC has high potential for wider structural applications in highway bridge construction. This paper covers the applications of SCC in Japan and Europe. It discusses the potential for structural applications in the U.S. and the needs for research and development to make SCC technology available to the bridge engineers.