The Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) demonstrated how self consolidating concrete (SCC) can reduce not only the cost of the construction but also cost of maintenance at later stage.
To explain how best could the SCC be used in the large scale constructions, the IIT-H made two constructions at its new campus being established at Kandi in Medak district.
The SCC will flow like a thick liquid but consolidates very quickly making it easy for the builder to complete the job. During construction there will be no need to mechanically vibrate the concrete for settling down as during the flow itself it would settle in a better manner. Similarly the finishing will also be nice with natural cement colour instead of applying some artificial colours.
Japan is master in innovating and using SCC, thereby giving way for exposed concrete structures. However, this needs a proper research back up and that is being provided by the experts of IIT-H through their labs.
Similarly, in the construction for the first time 35 of per cent of fly ash is being used in large scale and this was expected to be the largest exhibit in India.
The fly ash is being transported from thermal power plants at Ramagundam (Karimnagar), Bhoopalpally(Warangal) and Manugur (Khammam). However, as some properties of each consignment of fly ash will vary with other batch as it is dependent on the source of coal. Hence the IITH experts are testing each batch of fly ash and changing the combinations depending on the requirement.
“As of now the fly ash is a waste material being dumped in large quantities outside the thermal plants. That is being used by cement companies only and now we are trying to put it to better use. The cost saving will be directly 30 per cent as we are reducing the use of cement,” Prof. K.V.L. Subrahmaniam, Dean, Civil Engineering, told The Hindu.
