INTRODUCTION
Self compacting concrete is a type of concrete that needs no mechanical vibration or any external source for vibration for its compaction. It can be placed under its own weight and it is cohesive much to be handled without bleeding or segregation. However, the circumstances under which it is made should be free from any kind of noise or any kind of vibration that may damage or alter the property of such concrete. Such concrete is used specially in places where compacting is difficult. Hence it has been gaining traction since its discovery and is more used in important works to ensure structural performance and safety. It is widely used in various important project sites, drilled shafts, retaining systems, pipes, conduits, columns, floor finishing and many more.
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INTRODUCTION
Admixtures are added to the concrete mix to reduce water content, accelerate or decelerate the setting property, make concrete light and modify concrete properties. They are added immediately before or during the mixing of concrete. Excessive amount of water may lead to excessive bleeding and segregation that is why admixtures are added to control such constituents of concrete. This imbalance makes the concrete weak and the strength will also be affected. Many admixtures provide the combination of Superplasticizers, plasticizers or air entrainers. In laboratories, the admixtures are added during concrete preparation but in field not much time can be given on mixing and making concrete appropriate for using quickly. Hence, admixtures are added in cement clinkers formation and then transported to the site for ready to use.
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INTRODUCTION
Strength and workability are both dominating factors in the making of concrete. Strength can be increased by increasing cement content but this in fact reduces the workability. Moreover,the water content can be increased for better workability, but this affects the strength. Hence,a perfect balance is to be maintained for both strength and workability. Furthermore, besides cement and water content, some other factors contribute greatly, which will be discussed as follows.
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INTRODUCTION
The available mix design methods are mostly dependent on charts, graphs and empirical relations from repetitive experiments following the same principle with a little bit of variations in different mix methods. Some of the commonly known design methods are-
1. Trial and Adjustment method of mix design
2. British DoE mix design method
3. ACI mix design method
4. Concrete mix proportioning-IS Guidelines
5. Rapid method for mix design
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INTRODUCTION
Translucent concrete is a light transmitting concrete based building material. It works on the property of Nano-Optics. Its light transmitting is mainly due to uniform distribution of high numerical aperture Plastic Optic Fibres (POF) and hence it is also known as LiTraCon.It is produced by adding about 4% to 5% of optical fibres by volume in concrete mix. It was first mentioned in a Canadian Patent in the year 1935. As polymer based optical fibres and optical glass fibres were developed, it led to the increased rate of invention in this field.

Fig 1: Translucent Concrete building known as Lucem GmbH
COURTESY: BFT INTERNATIONAL

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