Water

Water is the key ingredient in concrete, which when mixed with cement, forms a paste that
binds the aggregate and forms a conglomeration known as ‘Concrete’. Water used for mixing
and curing shall be clean and free from injurious amounts of oils, acids, alkalis, salts,sugar,
organic materials or other substances that may be deleterious to concrete or steel. Therefore, it
is advised to use potable water in concrete for concrete based construction. Different
requirements for sutability of water for concrete based construction are given in IS 456 which
are as follows:

Chemical Requirements

Following criteria should be followed in order to assess the suitability of water for construction:

The pH value of water shall be not less than 6.

To neutralize 100 ml sample of water, using phenolphthalein as an indicator, it should not

require more than 5 ml of 0.02 normal NaOH. The details of test are given in clause 8.1 of IS
3025 (Part 22).

To neutralize 100 ml sample of water, using mixed indicator, it should not require more than 25
ml of 0.02 normal H$O,. The details of test shall be as given in clause 8 of IS 3025 (Part 23).

Permissible limits for solids shall be as follows:

Table 1 Permissible Limit for solids in water for construction (As per IS 456)
In case of doubt regarding development of strength, the suitability of water for making concrete
shall be ascertained by following tests:

Test for compressive strength- Average 28 days compressive strength of at least three 150 mm
concrete cubes prepared with water proposed to be used shall not be less than 90 percent of
the average of strength of three similar concrete cubes prepared with distilled water. The cubes
shall be prepared, cured and tested in accordance with the requirements of IS 516.

Test for Initial Setting Time- The initial setting time of test block made with the appropriate
cement and the water proposed to be used shall not be less than 30 min and shall not differ by&
30min from the initial setting time of control test block prepared with the same cement and
distilled water. The test blocks shall be prepared tested in accordance with the requirements off
IS 4031 (Part 5).

The sample of water taken for testing shall represent the water proposed to be used for
concreting, due account being paid to seasonal variation. The sample shall not receive any
treatment before testing other than that envisaged in the regular supply of water proposed for
use in concrete. The sample shall be stored in a clean container previously rinsed out with
similar water.

Water for curing

Water found satisfactory for concrete mixing is also considered suitable for curing of concrete.
However, water used curing should not produce any objectionable stain or unsightly deposit on
the concrete surface. It is not recommended to use water for curing which has tannic acid or
iron compounds dissolved.