I know that roller-compacted concrete (RCC) uses the same basic ingredients as conventional concrete – aggregates, water, and cement – but are they mixed together in the same proportions?
The correct proportioning of the raw materials is critical to the production of quality RCC mixes. The mix design process should not be approached as one of trial and error, but rather a systematic procedure based on the aggregates, water, and cementitious materials used in the mix. This knowledge of the ingredients is coupled with the construction requirements and specifications for the intended project in order to ensure a RCC mix that meets the design and performance objectives. There currently exists several methods for proportioning RCC mixes for pavements; however, there is not one commonly accepted method. The main RCC proportioning methods include those based on concrete consistency testing, the solid suspension model, the optimal paste volume method, and soil compaction testing. Whichever method is employed, the goal is to produce an RCC mixture that has sufficient paste volume to coat the aggregates in the mix and to fill in the voids between them.
