No-Fines Concrete or NFC is just as the name implies; a concrete product that is lacking the fine material that provides the smooth texture we all expect in poured concrete.
What is NFC Used for?
- Perfect for when excavation is needed to be kept minimal.
- Maximizes the buildable heights of gravity walls.
- Allows for utilities and property lines to be kept in place behind, or not moved.
No-Fines Concrete Benefits
- There is less required material to create the same 1M3, this is due to the lack of fines within the mixture allowing less cement to be used.
- No-Fines concrete exhibits less drying shrinkage compared to typical concrete.
- 25%-30% less dense, meaning less pressure on the formwork.
- No special equipment needed to achieve full and proper compaction.
- No-Fines concrete, being more permeable provides a keen use for this
- within drain work or areas where draining is needed.
Things to Consider
NFC is a great solution for a wide variety of earth retention projects, but is not with out its drawbacks. Some things to consider before using No-Fines Concrete on your project are:
- Lacks cohesiveness requiring more time within the framework.
- There really is not a “standard” form of test other then a visual inspection and trial and error.
- NFC is more permeable than standard concrete and therefore will require
- more to keep from allowing water or others such things to flow through.
