Blogs

Blogs and Technical Articles from Sika Concrete

Learn more on concrete industry updates, standards, how to guides and much more from Sika.

Self-Compacting Concrete – Why Use It?

The areas in which self-compacting concrete is used have increased considerably since it was developed in earthquake zones throughout Asia where structural columns attached to tall buildings were heavily congested with steel reinforcement. Self-compacting concrete was designed to flow around this type of reinforcement and provide a fully-compacted, durable concrete to work in conjunction with steel.

Pigmentation adding flexibility to the use and design of concrete

It took about 50 years for television to transform from black and white to glorious technicolour; the availability of pigmentation to give concrete shades other than grey took infinitely longer. The wait was worth it, however, as the colourisation of this otherwise drab-looking material has given it a new lease of life in terms of its usage; brightening our commercial and domestic worlds in the process.

SikaFiber fibers for concrete reinforcement

A mixing guide for SikaFiber Reinforced Concrete

Fibres are an ideal ingredient for improving the performance and durability of concrete. However, it is important the materials are batched correctly as failure to do so can lead to poor quality concrete.

Performance Enhancer for Portland Limestone Cement (PLC)

The motives to replace clinker with supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) are well known. However, granulated blast furnace slag, natural pozzolanes, qualified fly ash and further SCM have a limited availability; the total potential replacement of the global clinker production is less than 30%. Limestone is increasingly being used as a component in Portland-Limestone cements: Sika offers an additive to enhance grinding and performance.

Le Pavillon 3D concrete printed on site building in France with Constructions 3D

3D Concrete Printing

3D concrete printing (3DCP) is a form of cementitious, additive manufacturing used to fabricate buildings, houses or construction components in completely new shapes not previously possible with traditional concrete formwork.

Application of Shotcrete with Sigunit accelerator

Sprayed Concrete

Successful sprayed concrete requires the combination of many aspects of modern concrete technology especially concrete admixture chemistry, together with modern materials handling technology. The increasing demands for cost-effectiveness and the protection of health and the environment mean that sprayed concrete has been in continuous development. Thanks to more than one hundred years of experience, expert knowledge and a focus on performance and economy, Sika is able to provide the newest generation of sprayed concrete solutions.

Civil engineer at construction site is inspecting ongoing works according to design drawings in difficult winter conditions

Cold weather concreting – How to avoid common mistakes

January saw the lowest temperatures in the UK since February 2016, and with the potential for more cold snaps on the way, it’s a good time to review the procedures for placing concrete in cold weather.

Introducing SikaFiber®-1050 B&BA HF for beam and block floors

SikaFiber®-1050 B&BA HF is a new steel fibre solution launched by Sika in order to provide a cost-effective, ‘no fuss’ alternative to steel mesh-reinforced structural topping installations.

Sika® Stabilizer-500 VCC: Problem sands, problem solved

Almost every batch of aggregate will come with some level of contaminant, the key to improving their performance in concrete is understanding the type, quantity and variability of the contamination.

Concrete Slab Pour

Everything you need to know about Sikament®-700

A liquid admixture for high-range water reducer and superplasticiser.

Hydrophobic impregnation for protection of concrete structures

Watertight Concrete System

Waterproof concrete is an impermeable concrete used for long-lasting, durable watertight construction. To improve the impermeability of the concrete, water-resisting admixtures can be added. Nevertheless, design and construction of a watertight concrete structure is a system approach, and waterproof concrete is only one element of it. Water impermeability is determined by fulfilling requirements to limit water permeability through the concrete itself, the joints, installation parts and cracks.

Sika® Watertight Concrete delivers technologically advanced solutions

First used in the UK more than 60 years ago, the Sika® Watertight Concrete system is as flexible as it ever was. Not only does the system allow for the use of cement replacements (GGBS, PFA), but also a wide range of aggregate types can be used with the system. Due to Sika® Watertight Concrete system’s impressive benefits, it is now the most widely used system of its type in the UK.

Slipform process leaves concrete buildings standing tall

Slipform construction is a construction method in which concrete is poured into a continuously moving form. It is a method for vertically extruding a reinforced concrete section and is suitable for the construction of core walls in high-rise structures: lift shafts, stair shafts, towers, etc. Requiring little crane-time during construction, Slipform is a self-contained formwork system that can also apply to horizontal structures such as central reservations in road construction.

Day in the life of Steven Davie – The importance of Compressive Strength Testing

My job is to represent Sika in the validation / design implementation of concrete for some of the UK’s major and independent ready-mix concrete suppliers.

Is Watertight Concrete the best option for your project?

FACT: Kaspar Winkler first used watertight concrete in the Gotthard Tunnel under the Swiss Alps.

Hot Weather Concrete

Concreting in hot weather provides a set of unique challenges for contractors and is only possible at high temperatures if special protective measures are provided.

Introducing SikaFume® -50S - Microsilica Admixture

A Microsilica admixture for ultra-high performing concrete.

Fibres: the not-so-secret ingredient of Sika concrete

Following the successful acquisition and integration of the global Concrete Fibres business from Propex Holding LLC, Sika now has one of the widest ranges of fibres available on the market. The perfect addition to Sika’s concrete systems, required predominantly for the construction of structural concrete slabs, composite metal decks and precast concrete, the acquired business included a 12,000 sqm production facility, enabling the firm to significantly increase capacity for both micro and macro synthetic fibres.

Synthetic macro fibers used for concrete production to prevent cracks development

Fibre Reinforced Concrete Video

Watch our overview video on fibre reinforced concrete.

Concularity infographic showing circular economy of concrete circle loop

Concrete
Concrete Admixture

Enable Circularity - Make Concrete More Resource Efficient

The linear economy, or one-time use, of concrete in construction leads to a scarcity of resources and more waste at every step in the journey of that concrete material. Whereas the circular economy allows for many benefits. Explore the Sika Sustainability Circle to learn how Sika enables circularity in the concrete lifecycle.

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