American Concrete Institute Kuala Lumpur Chapter (ACI-KL Chapter) in collaboration with Institute of Infrastructure Engineering and Sustainable Management (IIESM) UniversitiTeknologi MARA (UiTM), Faculty of Civil Engineering UiTM Shah Alam andConcrete Society of Malaysia (CSM) has organized “INTERNATIONAL HIGHEST EARLY STRENGTH SELF-CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE CUBE COMPETITION (i-HESSCCC 2016)”, an annual event that has previously been held for nearly a decade.

This competition was held at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, UniversitiTeknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Malaysia on 14-15 April 2016 in conjunction with International Construction Week (ICW) 2016 organized by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) of Malaysia. This year, thecompetition is extended to international level thus the number of participation is overwhelmed. All 42 groups from local and international were participated where 36 groups from Malaysia, 5 groups from Indonesia and 1 group from Iran respectively compete for the prizes awarded.

A big appreciation to the Platinum Sponsor, HUME Industry Malaysia and other sponsors, CIDB Malaysia, Cement Industries of Malaysia Berhad (CIMA), ALPHA Instruments, Supplies & Services Sdn.Bhd., ZACKLIM Floor Specialist, NL Scientific and MIGHTY Shield Industries, for sponsoring the prizes and event expenditures.

The aims and objectives behind this competition are to:

• Encourage students, researchers and industry players to put their creativity and technical skills in producing an optimum cost concrete of very high flowability and strength at early age;
• Create awareness on the versatility of possibility of producing a high flowability and early strength concrete;
• Serve as a platform for interaction among students, NGOs and concrete industry players local and internationally.

i-HESSCCC 2016 OVERVIEW

The typical format of the competition is divided into two segments; highest flowability and early strength, and the presentation regarding the formulation of the mixes. The flowability must achieve minimum 500 mm diameter and tested using inverted slump cone. The highest early strength cube refers to a concrete cube that possesses the highest compressive strength after 24 hours after casting. Whereas, in presentation, each group is required to prepare A1 poster displaying materials used and designed mix formulation. Six(6) judges are appointed by the i-HESSCCC organizing committee to judge the presentations. The marks are given on the basis of the creativity of poster presentation, oral presentation, economy, sustainability in material selection and Q&A discussion. The teams are divided into two categories; Institutional (Studentor Staff from educational institutions) and Industry.

The i-HESSCCC 2016 starts with Casting and Presentation slot at Day 1, and continue with Testing and Sponsors slot at Day 2. The event run smoothly and ends with Closing and Prize Giving Ceremony at the second day. All participants were very excited yet proud especially the winners, nevertheless the other groups eager to join the next i-HESSCCC 2017 to bring home something in future. The champion for this competition goes to Arak Azad University, Iran, congratulations to the winner and worth traveling.

In conclusion, the overwhelmed participation from local and international participants are very much appreciated and hope to see more for the future event. The prizes awarded are just something to bring home but the experience and knowledge sharing gain from this competition is priceless.

The prizes awarded are based on these criteria:-

The prizes awarded are:-

On the night of 15 April 2016, the closing and prize giving ceremony was held at the Science and Technology Square, Engineering Complex, UiTM Shah Alam. Here are the lists of the winners:-

      Opening Speech by President of ACI KL Chapter, MsSerina Ho                       Rules and Regulations presentation by Prof Hamidah Mohd Saman

            UTAR students read the Rules and Regulations                                     Presentation of the formulation of the mixes by UniversitiMalaya

          Presentation of the formulation of the mixes by INTI International                                  University International participant from Indonesia

                                                      Casting session                                                                      The complete cubes left for 24 hours before testing

                                  Weighing the specific weight of cubes                                                                     Closing and Prize Giving Ceremony

                       1st Highest Early Strength – Arak Azad University, Iran                                                2ndHighest Early Strength – Hume Concrete

              3rdHighest Early Strength – UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)                          Best Presentation - Diponegoro Universiti, Indonesia