Self-compacting concrete (SCC) has emerged as a transformative construction material capable of filling complex formwork and densely reinforced sections under its own weight, eliminating the need for mechanical vibration. This review comprehensively examines recent research on the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) including fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), rice husk ash (RHA), and industrial by-products such as lime sludge and sugar factory lime waste into SCC systems. The effects of these materials on fresh-state properties, rheological behavior, compressive and tensile strength, sorptivity, permeability, and overall durability are critically analyzed. Evidence from experimental studies indicates that FA enhances workability through a ball-bearing effect, while SF densifies the microstructure through pozzolanic reactions and pore-filling action, significantly reducing water absorption and sorptivity. The combined use of FA and SF in ternary blends yields superior strength and durability compared to binary systems. Emerging cementless SCC formulations utilizing calcium oxide-activated slag and sugar factory lime waste demonstrate high compressive strength (up to 54.3 MPa) with substantially reduced carbon footprints (as low as 178.6 kg CO₂ eq/m³). Recycled coarse aggregate has also been shown to be viable in SCC with only marginal strength reductions. This paper identifies critical research gaps and provides recommendations for future work emphasizing multi-objective optimization, long-term durability testing, and circular economy integration in sustainable concrete production.

Keywords—Self-compacting concrete; supplementary cementitious materials; fly ash; silica fume; durability; sustainability; rheology; pozzolanic reaction