Self-Compacting Concrete

Standard concrete will usually need vibrating to make sure it completely fills any formwork without leaving any remaining pockets of air that might otherwise negatively impact its final strength. This requires specialised vibrating equipment, and when you’re working with underfloor heating, the pipes housed within the space can make this even trickier to achieve without causing any damage in the process.

A self-compacting concrete mix – also often referred to as self-levelling or self-consolidating – eliminates the need for vibration, making the process safer, quicker and much less labour intensive. It also makes it a cost-effective solution that can be especially efficient when working with underfloor heating.

What Is Self-Compacting Concrete?

Self-compacting concrete is a highly fluid mix that uses its own weight to entirely flow into all the space into which it is poured, effortlessly filling every gap as it goes. 

It is made up of finer aggregates than you would get in standard concrete which, together with water-reducing agents (known as superplasticisers), makes the mix have the right levels of viscosity to fill just about any space, even those that have a complex shape. Self-compacting concrete usually dries and cures at the same rate as standard concrete.

One result of this is that you can easily achieve a smooth and even surface that eliminates the need for a screed finish. 

Here at Burton Concrete Pumping & Liquid Screed, we can supply and lay high-quality self-compacting concrete for projects in or near Rugby, Coventry and Leamington Spa. Get in touch with us today to find out more or place an order.