Sampyo Group Initiates Development of Concrete for Top-Down Method CFT

Top-Down Engineering Specialist Company 'EasyPartner' Signs Technology Development MOU

Sampyo Group signed a joint technology development agreement with Easy Partner to develop concrete for CFT in order to expand the application of the top-down construction method. The fourth person from the left is Lee Seok-hong, Vice President of Sampyo Group.
[Photo by Sampyo Group]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Sampyo Group, a leading company in basic construction materials, is embarking on the development of customized concrete tailored to special construction methods. The goal is to support the advancement of construction technology through the development of customized special concrete optimized for new construction methods.

This month, Sampyo Group signed a joint technology development agreement with Easy Partner, a specialist company in 'Top-Down Engineering,' to expand the application of the top-down construction method. Both parties will jointly promote the development of high-strength concrete for Concrete Filled Tubes (CFT) used in top-down construction. This is the first time in Korea that an agreement has been made to develop CFT concrete optimized for the top-down method.

Top-down construction is a method where excavation is carried out from the ground surface downwards while simultaneously constructing underground and aboveground structures. Typically, construction proceeds from underground to aboveground after excavation, but the top-down method allows simultaneous progress of aboveground and underground work, reducing construction time. Additionally, this method has much less impact on surrounding soil and adjacent buildings compared to other methods. Due to these advantages, it is mainly used in urban areas with high pedestrian traffic, many buildings, and potential for civil complaints.

The quality of top-down construction depends on the CFT. CFT is a steel column filled with concrete, used as foundation piles to support underground structures.

However, pouring concrete into CFT is not easy. The CFT columns start from 30 to 40 meters underground, and the narrow opening makes it difficult to use a tremie pipe (concrete delivery pipe). Generally, concrete is poured by free fall from 30 to 40 meters below ground. This raises concerns about incomplete concrete filling, air layer formation (honeycombing), and aggregate segregation, but it is difficult to verify concrete quality due to the CFT structure.

Sampyo Group plans to develop concrete optimized for CFT by utilizing its research and development expertise in self-compacting concrete called 'Bluecon Self.' Bluecon Self is a self-compacting concrete that can be poured even at compressive strengths above 24 MPa. Self-compacting concrete maintains viscosity to prevent separation of raw materials such as cement, sand, and gravel, while simultaneously enhancing fluidity.

Lee Seok-hong, Vice President of Sampyo Group's R&D Innovation Center, stated, "Concrete specifications required by each construction method and site vary widely. Improving concrete quality is indispensable for innovation in construction technology." He added, "Sampyo Group will contribute to the advancement of domestic construction technology through continuous R&D of customized special concrete."

Meanwhile, Sampyo Group is leading the development of customized concrete that meets the performance requirements of construction sites. The Sampyo Group research institute has focused on understanding customer needs through close collaboration with the marketing department and has developed customized special concrete. As a result, they have consistently introduced special concretes such as Bluecon Self (self-compacting), Speed (early strength), Winter (cold resistance), and Easy (using 20mm aggregate).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.