New Types of High Performance Concretes – Potentials for Innovations in Concrete Construction

Abstract

Among the new types of high performance concretes this paper deals with self-compacting concrete (SCC) and ultra high strength concrete (UHPC). Both types of self-compacting concrete, the powder type SCC and the stabilizer type SCC, are presented. Differences in the mix design and composition as well as the properties in the fresh and in the hardened state are indicated. While most of the properties of SCC are roughly similar to normal concrete (NC) – apart from the self-compacting property – this holds by far not true for UHPC. Not only the mechanical properties but also the durability of UHPC deviates significantly from normal concrete. In addition, it is shown that UHPC is more sustainable than normal concrete if the ecological impact is considered in relation to the performance of the concrete.