By now almost everyone has heard the rumblings of Roller Compacted Concrete also known as RCC. With more manufacturers offering production equipment specifically designed to produce RCC, many are wondering what’s the big deal with RCC?

Benefits of roller compacted concrete are many, but the number one is low cost. RCC is a zero slump concrete blend that uses less Portland cement; the most expensive ingredient of concrete. RCC is also proving to be low cost in comparison to asphalt, an oil based product. Roller compacted concrete is also easy to transport, easy to spread, does not require forms and has a very short curing time.

What is the downside to roller compacted concrete? RCC has two primary drawbacks. It is not as smooth as concrete, comparable in texture to rough course asphalt; and it is not as strong as concrete or asphalt. These qualities typically limit RCC’s uses to projects such as parking areas, road base, secondary roads, and dam projects.

RCC has become widely used in dam projects. Its economy, performance and high-speed construction are contributing factors making RCC a number one choice for dam projects. Easily moved and spread in large volume by earth moving equipment, it offers a cost that rivals earth or rock fill construction with strength that rivals mass pour concrete.

Popularity of RCC is also increasing as it becomes more innovative designs are becoming more readily available. High production RCC plants capable of producing 400-600 yards per hour are being produced in self contained highly portable systems that can easily be erected without concrete foundation in a matter of hours.

Another quality mobile RCC plant is simply put into place under any operational ready mix plant to produce RCC or low slump concrete at the maximum production of the concrete plant up to 200 yards per hour. Equipment breakthroughs such as an RCC plant that works using existing concrete plants has spurred existing concrete producers interest in offering RCC to contractors.

Where is RCC going? Notably, the Ohio Turnpike Commission recently elected to use RCC for two new service plazas. More than 140,000 yards of RCC will be used in the parking areas and access routes. They wanted to consider options other than asphalt to combat the rising price of the oil based product. It is expected as RCC development continues to mature, the relatively young product born in the 1980’s will become widely used in all parts of the country.