EFFC/DFI Concrete Task Group
Formed in 2014 to address the issues that contractors experience on site with modern concrete mixes.
Group Chair
Rabeah Barhum, Ph.D., is a civil engineer with over 20 years of experience in construction materials. Holding a doctorate from Technical University in Dresden, he works in Bauer Spezialtiefbau’s services division, supporting complex foundation projects worldwide. He specializes in concrete, soil-cement and support fluids, and is also a member of the EFFC/DFI Support Fluid Task Group.
EFFC/DFI Guide to Tremie Concrete for Deep Foundations
The 3rd Edition of the Tremie Guide includes a general review of the Second Edition, comprises more specific advice on testing fresh concrete (in a completely revised Section 5.3), emphasises the Task Group’s understanding of designing sustainable concrete (in a new Section 5.6), and gives an update on interpretation of concrete flow mechanisms made on the basis of numerical modelling (in a revised Section 9, now supplemented by a new Appendix G). This Third Edition replaces the Second Edition.
Research Report: Rheology and Workability Testing of Deep Foundation Concrete in Europe and the US
A companion research report to the DFI/EFFC Guide to Tremie Concrete for Deep Foundations (2nd Edition) which provides information on the research incorporated in the guide that numerically models the behaviour of concrete when it is poured into an excavation. This is a new area of research which provides new insight into what is occurring during the tremie operation.
Research Report: Testing Concrete for Deep Foundations
A companion research report to the EFFC/DFI Guide to Tremie Concrete for Deep Foundations (2nd Edition) which provides results of research incorporated in the guide on fresh and key hardened properties of concrete mixtures used in the field.
Fourth Edition
Work has also commenced on the Fourth Edition which will require another two years of hard work by the CTG. The major additions to the Fourth Edition will include:
- Harmonising the Tremie Guide with the new EN 206 Part 3 which will specifically include additional requirements for concrete in geotechnical works. This will replace the current Annex D in EN 206-1. This inclusion is very significant and most of the new requirements are based on the recommendations in the EFFC/DFI Tremie Guide.
- Harmonising the Guide with ACI 336. This is a huge step forward in applying the most suitable test methods and acceptance criteria to modern tremie concrete.
- Further detailed numerical modelling studies to understand concrete flow mechanisms, especially in the design of concrete for challenging geotechnical works. The CTG has been working closely with a number of academic groups who are doing this work. Further time is required for the results to be evaluated and checked and collated.