PRESENTATION

FLOWABLE FILL
Presented By:
Mac McArthur, P.E.
Construction Engineering Services Bureau
Mike Lynch
Materials Bureau
Highways and Engineering Conference February/March 2006
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AGENDA
WHAT IS FLOWABLE FILL?
WHY USE FLOWABLE FILL?
WHEN SHOULD FLOWABLE FILL BE USED?
HOW IS FLOWABLE FILL USED?
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

WHAT IS FLOWABLE FILL?

OTHER NAMES

Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)

Controlled Density Fill
Flowable Mortar
Low Strength Slurry Cement Backfill
Lean Mix Backfill
Lean Fill
Un-shrinkable Fill
Flowable Fly Ash
Flowable Backfill
Flowable Grout

WHAT IT IS NOT!
Non-Shrink Concrete (Old MDT Concrete Type NS)

NOT FLOWABLE FILL!

Just Very Wet Concrete!

THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSE TO LOOK

SLUMP TEST?

WHY USE FLOWABLE FILL?

FLOWS LIKE A LIQUID

SETS LIKE A SOLID
SELF-LEVELING
REQUIRES NO COMPACTION
REQUIRES NO VIBRATION
TAKES THE PLACE OF CONCRETE
TAKES THE PLACE OF COMPACTED SOILS
TAKES THE PLACE OF COMPACTED SAND
FILLS VOIDS
IS REMOVABLE

Excavatable Easily Removed with a Shovel

Non-Excavatable Easily Removed with Light Equipment
(Backhoe or Bob Cat)

COST EFFECTIVE

14 REASONS TO USE FLOWABLE FILL

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)

Readily Available
Easy to Deliver
Easy to Place
Versatile
Strong and Durable
Can be Excavated to Remove
Requires Less Inspection
Allows Fast Return to Traffic
Will Not Settle
Reduces Excavating
Improves Worker Safety
Allow All-Weather Work
Reduces Equipment Needs
Requires No Storage

STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
551.03.1 Classification.
I.

Flowable Fill. Use flowable fill for bedding, encasement, and general backfill for trenches.
Flowable fill is also known as controlled low-strength material, controlled density fill, flowable
mortar, and slurry cement backfill.

551.03.2 Composition of Concrete.

E. Flowable Fill. Flowable fill is a mixture of portland cement, fly ash, fine aggregate, air entraining
admixture and water. Flowable fill contains a low cementitious content for reduced strength development.
Submit a mix design for approval. No compressive strength testing is required for the mix design.

Table 551-1 has the suggested mix guides for excavatable and non-excavatable flowable fill:
TABLE 551-1
FLOWABLE FILL MIX DESIGN GUIDE
MATERIALS
Cement, Type I or II

EXCAVATABLE
75.6-102.6 lb/yd (45-60
kg/m3)

Fly Ash

None

Water
Air
28-Day
Compressive Strength
Unit Weight (Wet)

Mix designs must produce a

consistency that will result in a
flowable, self-leveling product
at time of placement.
5-35%

NON-EXCAVATABLE
75.6-151.2 lb/yd (45-90
kg/m3)
151.2-596.7 lb/yd (90-355
kg/m3)
Mix designs must produce a
consistency that will result in a
flowable, self-leveling product
at time of placement.
5-15%

Maximum 100 psi (690 kPa)

Minimum 125 psi (860 kPa)

2,430-2,970 lb/yd (1,440

1,760 kg/m3)

2,700-3,375 lb/yd (1,600

2,000 kg/m3)

Furnish fine aggregate meeting Subsection 701.01.1 requirements. The fine aggregate has no
fineness modulus requirement.
High air generators or foaming agents may be used in lieu of conventional air entraining
admixtures and may be added at the jobsite and mixed in accordance with the manufacturers
recommendation.
The requirements for percent air, compressive strength and unit weight are for laboratory designs
only and are not intended for jobsite acceptance requirements. Proportion fine aggregate to yield 1
cubic yard (1 cubic meter).

551.03.5 Placing Concrete.

Place Flowable Fill meeting the following requirements:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Place by chute or pumping and use a tremie when placing through water.
Place to the designated fill line without vibration or other compaction methods.
Do not place when the ambient temperature is below 35o F (1.7o C). Protect from freezing for a
minimum of 36 hours after placement.
Use straps, soil anchors or other approved means of restraint when flowable fill is used for pipe
backfill and other uses that may result in flotation, uplift or misalignment; and
Confine the flowable fill material within the designated placement area. Prevent intrusion
damage to adjacent work areas and facilities from lateral hydraulic pressure of the fill during
placement and prior to hardening. After placement leave the flowable fill undisturbed until the
material has set.

551.03.7 Testing and Acceptance of Concrete.

A. Compressive Strength Testing. (Text of parts #1 #2 and #3 not shown)
1. General.
2. Prestressed Concrete Members.
3. Class "SD" Concrete.
4. Flowable Fill. The Project Manager will determine when flowable fill may be covered based
on the following:
a. Supports the weight of a person weighing at least 155 lbs (70 kg) without deforming the
surface, when placed beyond the traveled way; or
b. After 24 hours or obtains 35 psi (240 kPa) penetration resistance as measured by a
pocket penetrometer, when placed within the traveled way.
c. Do not use flowable fill as a driving surface. Grade surface of flowable fill within the
traveled way to allow for specified depth and type of surfacing material.

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WHEN SHOULD IT BE USED?

PIPES/UTILITY CONDUITS

Haunch/Sides For Large Pipe

Backfill Small Culverts
Backfill Conduits/Pull Boxes Urban Traffic Projects

FILL ABANDONED FACILITIES

Wells
Sewer Lines and Manholes
Small Culverts
Underground Storage Tanks

RETAINING WALL BACKFILL

BRIDGE END BACKFILL

Bridge Bureau Design and Approval

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PTW TRENCH BACKFILL

CULVERT BACKFILL
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RETAINING WALL BACKFILL

UTILITY CONDUIT BACKFILL

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HOW IS IT USED?
CONSTRUCTION METHODS

Use Chute or Pump

Do Not vibrate or Compact
Cannot Freeze
Provide Restraints to Prevent Flotation
Confine Flow and Prevent Intrusion *
Do Not Use as Driving Surface

TESTING

Mix Design Required

No compressive Strength Test Required
Set Time (Weight of a Person or Penetrometer)

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TEST TRENCH

LESS THAN 24 HOURS

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HOW IS IT USED?
(Continued)

FLOWABLE FILL HELP GUIDE

Link = http://mdtinfo.mdt.state.mt.us/const/manuals.shtml

OTHER USES FOR FLOWABLE FILL

Short Span Bridge Rehabilitation *
Large Culvert Rehabilitation *

PHOTOGRAPHS FOLLOW

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LOTS OF FLOWABLE FILL NOTE CONFINEMENT

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QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

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