Development and usage of self-compacting concrete in precast concrete field

Recently concrete products are tending to be larger and more complicated, requiring higher early-age strength and better workability (or consistency). And to improve the working condition in precast concrete producers, the noise generated by the vibration is also hoped to be reduced. With this in mind, new polyether type superplasticizer, which has high dispersability and high early-age strength, has been developed. Furthermore, this superplasticizer has made possible the self-compacting concrete which can be filled into the mold without vibration. The self-compacting concrete has already been industrialized in the precast concrete field successfully, for example, producing complicated and thin concrete panels which are decorated with tiles. In this paper, the polyether type superplasticizer is introduced which make self-compacting concrete possible, showing some industrial applications in the precast concrete field.