Methods for proportioning self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes have not kept pace with their production techniques. This paper develops a mix design method for SCC based on the desired target plastic viscosity and compressive strength of the mix. The simplicity and usefulness of this method are enhanced by the provision of design charts as a guide for mix proportioning. The target plastic viscosity of these mixes varied between 3 and 15 Pa s, and the characteristic cube strength between 30 and 80 MPa at 28 days age. Several examples on the use of the design charts are given. In a companion paper experimental validation of the mix design procedure is provided on a series of SCC mixes in both the fresh and hardened states.

A companion paper by the authors described the mix design procedure and gave several examples on the use of the design charts. This paper is concerned with the experimental validation of the mix design procedure on a series of SCC mixes in both the fresh and hardened states. A series of SCC mixes that contained different volumetric ratios of paste to solid phases were prepared using the design charts. All these mixes were extensively tested in the fresh state using the slump cone, J-ring, L-box, and V-funnel apparatus. These tests proved conclusively the validity of the mix proportioning method in the sense that all the mixes satisfied the self-compacting criteria and achieved the desired target plastic viscosity and compressive strength.

This paper aimed to experimentally investigate the structural conduct of self-compacted concrete hollow beams with various in-place openings. For this purpose, ten reinforced concrete hollow beams were tested under two concentrated and symmetrical loadings. The primary parameter in this study was the location of the openings, and specimens were divided into two groups in addition to the control beam: group one included six beams with openings in front or front and rear of the web, while the second group contained three beams with an opening in the bottom flange of the beam. The results showed that all reinforced concrete specimens suffered from higher deflection and stiffness reductions. The load-carrying capacity was decreased in ranges between 5.2% and 16 % for group one and 5.5 % to 9 % for group two compared to the control beam. A reduction was also observed in the ductility index values, ranging from 2.8 to 1.5 compared to the control beam.