DARAFILL® BP Data Sheet

Controlled low strength material performance additive

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Product Description

DARAFILL® BP produces engineered Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM)* that is highly flowable, volume stable and excavatable in the future. DARAFILL® BP is a viscous solution of organic compounds used in cementitious backfill mixtures.

By developing a stable-air matrix in the CLSM mixture, DARAFILL® BP improves flowability and reduces the required amount of mix water up to 50%, compared to a water-based CLSM. DARAFILL® BP is a ready-to-use liquid. One gallon weighs 8.4 lbs (1.01 kg/L).

Uses

The use of DARAFILL® BP produces a low water content CLSM that is primarily used to improve flowability, lower densities, eliminate segregation and settlement, and control strength development for backfill applications where future excavation is possible.

DARAFILL® BP is designed to be used with cement and pozzolans such as ASTM grade fly ash and ground blast furnace slag. The addition of DARAFILL® BP is a cost-effective alternative to a water-based CLSM mixture while CLSM is a cost-effective alternative to soil backfill.

Performance

The addition of DARAFILL® BP generates stable air contents of 15% to 30% and significantly reduces mix water requirements by as much as 50% when compared to water-based CLSM. When used as recommended, DARAFILL® BP enhances plastic and hardened properties of CLSM accordingly:

  • Provides a CLSM that is highly flowable with no segregation
  • Controls strength development for future excavatability, usually in the range of 50 to 200 psi (0.35 to 1.40 MPa) depending on the application requirements
  • Increases yield of materials up to 30%
  • Provides densities in the range of 90 to 120 lbs/ft3 (1440 to 1920 kg/m3)
  • When pumping is required, pre-job testing with actual equipment and intended configuration is strongly recommended
  • Reduces buoyancy problems in CLSM around embedded pipes and tanks when compared to water-based CLSM

Addition Rates

The addition rate of DARAFILL® BP is usually 4 oz/yd3 (155 mL/m3). However, a normal addition rate range may be from 3 to 6 oz/yd3 (115 to 230 mL/m3) based in materials used and the CLSM performance required. Contact your GCP representative for further information. Test all mix designs for performance before use.

    Compatibility with Other Admixtures and Batch Sequencing

    DARAFILL® BP is compatible with most GCP admixtures as long as they are added separately to the mix, usually through the water-holding tank discharge line or directly into the mixer after the CLSM materials are batched. It may be added at the concrete plant or job site.

    CLSM with DARAFILL® BP reaches optimum consistency when the mixture reaches a creamy, flowing appearance. For central mix operations, add DARAFILL® BP into the central mixer and not into trucks in order to ease discharge from the central mixer.

    Pretesting of the concrete mix should be performed before use, as conditions and materials change in order to assure compatibility, and to optimize dosage rates, addition times in the batch sequencing and concrete performance.

    Please see GCP Technical Bulletin TB-0110, Admixture Dispenser Discharge Line Location and Sequencing for Concrete Batching Operations for further recommendations. DARAFILL® BP should not be mixed directly with heated mix water.

    Packaging & Handling

    DARAFILL® BP is a ready-to-use liquid delivered in bulk, totes or drums. Store DARAFILL® BP above freezing, away from heat sources, and out of direct sunlight. The storage temperature range should be between 32°F to 130°F (0°C to 55°C).

    Dispensing Equipment

    A complete line of accurate, automatic dispensing equipment is available.

    Mix Proportioning

    Mix proportion information may be obtained from a GCP Applied Technologies representative. If water-based CLSM is now being used, a mix design adjustment will be required in order to use DARAFILL® BP.

    Applications

    DARAFILL® BP is designed for CLSM mixtures and is not recommended for use in conventional concrete. DARAFILL® BP offers the following benefits:

    • Safe, efficient, non-corrosive fill material for trenches, tanks and pipes
    • Self-leveling and high lateral flow fills for trenches, undercuts and voids
    • Cost-effective in comparison to compacted soil by increasing efficiency of labor and equipment
    • Flexible, mix designs to suit requirements
    • Minimizes settlement in comparison to compacted-soil backfill

    Specifications

    Material for backfill operations shall be cementitious Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) mixtures as supplied by concrete producer and contain DARAFILL® BP, as manufactured by GCP Applied Technologies, Cambridge, MA. Mixture ingredients and proportions shall be submitted for approval. DARAFILL® BP shall be added by the concrete producer personnel as per manufacturers’ recommendations.

    * CLSM may be referred to as “Flowable Fill”, “Controlled Density Fill” or “Cement Stabilized Sand” in different geographical areas.

    gcpat.com | North America Customer Service: +1 (877) 423 6491

    We hope the information here will be helpful. It is based on data and knowledge considered to be true and accurate, and is offered for consideration, investigation and verification by the user, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statements, recommendations, and suggestions in conjunction with our conditions of sale, which apply to all goods supplied by us. No statement, recommendation, or suggestion is intended for any use that would infringe any patent, copyright, or other third party right.

    DaraFill is a trademark, which may be registered in the United States and/or other countries, of GCP Applied Technologies Inc. This trademark list has been compiled using available published information as of the publication date and may not accurately reflect current trademark ownership or status.

    © Copyright 2018 GCP Applied Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.


    GCP Applied Technologies Inc., 2325 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 400, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
    GCP Canada, Inc., 294 Clements Road, West, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 3C6
    This document is only current as of the last updated date stated below and is valid only for use in the United States. It is important that you always refer to the currently available information at the URL below to provide the most current product information at the time of use. Additional literature such as Contractor Manuals, Technical Bulletins, Detail Drawings and detailing recommendations and other relevant documents are also available on www.gcpat.com. Information found on other websites must not be relied upon, as they may not be up-to-date or applicable to the conditions in your location and we do not accept any responsibility for their content. If there are any conflicts or if you need more information, please contact GCP Customer Service.

    Last Updated: 2023-06-28

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