H.P.C. in Tilos? Arch

Abstract

HPC has been used in the design of Tilos? Arch in order to reduce the weight of the structure during the free cantilever construction.The main difficulties found were related to the heterogeneity, low strength and high absorption of the available aggregates. To ensure homogeneity a permanent control of them, a geologist was established on site. Due to the reduced thickness of the arch wall, in some cases only 20 cm, it was neccesary to achieve very fluid concrete . Consequently, the addition of policarboxylated-based superfluidifiers was adopted, including a new mixing on site in case of high temperatures. Despite the heterogeneity of selected materials that resulted in an unconventional concrete in meeting certain parameters, fulfillness of strength and workability requirements was clearly achieved. Finally, conclusions of the differed multi-step analysis and its influence on this type of concrete are presented.