Effect of section width and casting rate on variations of formwork pressure of self-consolidating concrete

The influence of formwork dimensions and rate of casting of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) on the development and variations of lateral pressure were evaluated using two types of experimental columns; the first measuring 2100 mm in height and 200 mm in diameter, and the second 3600 mm in height and 920 mm in diameter. Variations of heat of hydration and setting time were correlated to the rate of decrease in formwork pressure.Test results show that the scale effect has an influence on the rate of drop in lateral pressure with time. Two distinctive rates of pressure drop were obtained during the plastic and setting stages of hydration. A rate of pressure decrease of 5.3 kPa/hr was obtained during the first 6 hours of time and is mostly associated with the increase in the restructuring process due to the reversible effect of thixotropy. A second distinctive slope of 2 kPa/hr was noted beyond 6 hours until the canceling of pressure, and is related to setting. The increase in the casting rate from 10 to 25 m/hr in the 200-mm diameter column resulted in slightly higher lateral pressure.