International perspective of concrete pumping for infrastructural projects and the way forward in developing countries

Concrete pumping is an emerging application of modern concrete construction. It is widely acknowledged and is used in several developed countries with proper guidelines and specifications. Due to the construction of several high-rise buildings in urban regions of developing countries, pumping concrete becomes essential. On the other hand, the transportation of concrete becomes difficult and needs skilled supervision. It is essential to understand the scientific insight on the behaviour of concrete during pumping to attain proper pumpability and discharge with the desired performance. However, a dedicated standard for concrete pumping, including proper specifications, practice guidelines, and modern techniques, is a need for the construction sector of developing countries. In the present study, various requirements of the concrete pumping have been reviewed based on the available major international standards and specifications. Furthermore, recent improvements in concrete pumping technology with respect to materials, rheological properties, and equipment are presented. Based on international standards, advanced technologies and practices, recommendations for developing countries are highlighted to achieve high-quality concrete pumping practices.