Concrete

BY SSK
• Concrete doesn’t need any introduction. Because, wherever we go, we see
many concrete structures around us. Concrete is a composite material
with changeable properties. The ingredients mixing ratio of concrete is
variable and depends on the properties of ingredients and mix design. A
popular measuring method of concrete ingredients during mixing is by
volume. But the weight measuring method is more accurate. However,
concrete is prepared by mixing three basic ingredients.
1. Binding material – cement
2. Aggregate
3. Water.
• Binding material: Most commonly used binding material for concrete is
Portland cement. Other binding materials used for this purpose, are lime, fly
ash, silica fume etc. The selection of cement for concrete is depend on the “
cement properties“.
Properties of cement:
Physical:
Setting time –vicat apparatus
consistency –vicat apparatus
Soundness -Le Chatelier Test
Fineness
Strength :
33 Grade = 33 N/mm2
43 Grade = 43 N/mm2
53 Grade = 53 N/mm2
Vicat Apparatus

le chatelier apparatus
• Aggregate
• Aggregate is one of the building materials used to produce concrete and
mortar.
• When cement is mixed only with fine aggregates it is called cement mortar.
• Concrete contains both fine and coarse aggregate.
• Aggregates add strength to concrete and reduce its potential for shrinkage. In
other word, aggregates act as bone of concrete.
• Aggregates actually make up 60% to 80% of the volume of hardened concrete.
So their properties and characteristics are very important.
• Most commonly used aggregates in concrete are sand, gravel, crushed stone,
crushed slag and pumice.
• Fine Aggregates: 
• The fine aggregate in concrete is sand.
• By definition, sand particles are below 4.75 mm diameter and smaller.
• Sand, for using in concrete should include a well-graded mix of large and
small.
• It should be free of contaminants that can be harmful to concrete such as silt,
clay and organic materials such as leaves and roots.
• Fine aggregates fill in the voids between coarse aggregate particles in concrete.
• Sharp and angular sand produces harsher concrete mixes with poor
workability.
• Rounded particles increase workability and make slab surfaces easier to finish.
 CONCRETE
• In concrete technology, a variety of type-names has been used for different types
of concrete. This classification is based on three factors:
Type of material used in its making.
Nature of stress conditions.
And it’s density.
Types
Plain or Ordinary Concrete(PCC).
Lightweight Concrete.
High Density Concrete.
Reinforced Concrete (RCC).
Precast Concrete.
Prestressed Concrete.
Air Entrained Concrete.
 Type of Properties Purpose
Concrete
Plain or Density: 2200 – 2500 Kg/m3. Plain concrete is mostly used in the
Ordinary Compressive Strength: 200 – 500 construction of pavements and in buildings,
Kg/cm2
Concrete Tensile Strength: 50 – 100 Kg/cm2
where very high tensile strength is not
(PCC) Durability: Very Satisfactory. required. It is also used in the construction of
Dams.
Lightweight Density : less than 920Kg/m3. Lightweight Concretes are used, depending
Concrete  very low thermal conductivity upon their composition, for thermal
insulation., for protecting steel structures, they
are also used in long span bridge decks, and
even as building blocks.
High Density Density :3000-4000 Kg/m3. They are mostly used in atomic power plants
Concrete and other similar structures. Because it
provides good protection from all type of
radiations.
Reinforced High compressive and steel is used as reinforcement the resulting
Concrete tensile strength material (RCC) is capable of bearing all types of
(RCC) stress in any type of construction. The RCC is the
most important concrete type.
 Properties of fresh concrete
• Workability.
• Setting.
• Segregation.
• Plastic Shrinkage.
• Thermal Shrinkage.
• Thermal Expansion.
• Water Cement Ratio.
• Workability, in the simplest language, is the ease with which freshly prepared concrete can
be transported and placed for the job and compacted to a dense mass.
• The fresh concrete which may be expected to give the best results must possess the property
of workability. This is the most important property of fresh concrete.
• Fresh concrete should be capable of spreading uniformly without inducing any segregation
of the aggregates.
• A workable concrete should have a right balance between the plasticity and mobility for a
particular job in particular place.
• To develop such a balance, you must select the right type of aggregates, proper
proportioning of cement, sand, coarse aggregates, and water, and thorough 
mixing of the constituents.
• Besides plasticity or consistency and mobility, the third most important aspect considered to
define workability is the ease with which the freshly placed concrete can be compacted
without developing any defects.
• Workability Tests:
• Since workability depends on a number of factors, no single test is thought to
be sufficient to express this property of fresh concrete.
• For quality construction, the following three tests are required to be carried
out.
• Slump test.
• Compacting factor test.
• V-B Consistometer test.
• Slump Test:
• This test is already described here in details. Please, visit it for more details. 
Slump Test gives us an idea of about the consistency of the mix.
• Compaction Factor Test:
• This test is developed in the UK by Glanville. In this test samples of concrete are weighed
first when concrete is partially compacted, and then after the full compaction.
• Then, the samples are compacted using specified techniques and apparatus.
• The ratio between partially compacted weight to the fully compacted weight gives a measure
of compaction factor. It is always less than 1.
• V-B Consistometer Test:
• This test is developed by Bahrner in Sweden. In this test samples of fresh concrete is taken in
a metallic cone and compacted by a specified vibrator to an ultimate shape of a flat
cylindrical mass.
• Total time taken for this process, in seconds, is recorded. This is called V-B time and gives a
measure of compatibility of the concrete.
• This test is useful in determining the workability of concrete mixes with aggregates size up
to 20 mm.
• It is expensive as compared to Slump Test and Compaction Factor Test and is used mostly in 
precast concrete works.
• Setting:
• When concrete changes its state from fresh to hardened then this process is called setting. And the
time required to complete this process is known as Setting Time of Cement.
• Setting time depends on the type of cement, aggregates, etc., used in concrete-mix. For increasing
or decreasing the setting time Admixturesis used.
• The initial setting time for Portland cement is about 30 – 45 minutes.
• Segregation:
• The separation of concrete ingredients from each other is known as segregation. This can be
caused due to excessive vibration in concrete mixer machine or falling concrete from more than 1-
meter height.
• Water Cement Ratio:
• The compressive strength decreases, in general, with increasing water cement ratio and vice versa.
• Hence, when minimum water is used just to ensure complete hydration of the cement, the
resulting concrete will give maximum compressive strength on proper compaction.
• I have written a detailed guide on Water Cement Ratio, don’t forget to read it for better
understanding.
• Plastic Shrinkage:
• This is the shrinkage that the fresh concrete undergoes until it
sets completely. It may also be called initial shrinkage.
• This can be due to excessive loss of water from the concrete
due to evaporation, bleeding, and soaking by formwork.
• Excessive shrinkage at initial stages may develop cracks.
Therefore, all precautions should be taken to avoid excessive
loss of water.
• Thermal Shrinkage:
• This may be due to falling in temperature of concrete-mix
 from the time it laid to the time it sets completely.
• Due to change in temperature, some shrinkage may be
expected. Sometimes, It may be negligible on its own
account.
Properties of hard concrete
• Strength
• Creep
• Durability
• Shrinkage
• Modulus of Elasticity
• Water Tightness
• Strength:
• When we refer to concrete strength, we generally talk about compressive
strength of concrete.
• Because, concrete is strong in compression but relatively weak in tension and
bending. 
• Compressive strength mostly depends upon amount and type of cement used in
concrete mix.
• It is also affected by the water-cement ratio, mixing method, placing and curing.
• Concrete tensile strength ranges from 7% to 12% of compressive strength.
• Both tensile strength and bending strength can be increased by adding
reinforcement.
Shear failure in concrete beam
• Creep:
Deformation of concrete structure under sustained load is defined as concrete
creep. Long term pressure or stress on concrete can make it change shape.
This deformation usually occurs in the direction the force is applied.
• Durability:
• Durability might be defined as the ability to maintain satisfactory
performance over and extended service life.
• The design service life of most buildings is often 30 years, although buildings
often last 50 to 100 years.
• Most concrete buildings are demolished due to obsolescence rather than
deterioration.
Different concretes require different degrees of durability depending on the
exposure environment and properties desired.
• Appropriate concrete ingredients, mix proportions, finishes and curing
practices can be adjusted on the basis of required durability of concrete.
• Shrinkage: 
Shrinkage is the volume decrease of concrete caused by drying and chemical
changes. In another word, the reduction of volume for the setting and
hardening of concrete is defined as shrinkage.
• The modulus of Elasticity of concrete
depends on the Modulus of Elasticity 0f the
concrete ingredients and their mix
proportions.
• As per ACI code, the modulus of Elasticity
to be calculated using following equation:
                   E­c­ = 33ωc1­ .5√f’c   (psi)
     Where, ωc = unit weight of concrete, lb/ft2
           f’c = 28 days compressive
strength of concrete For normal weight
concrete (90 lb/ft3 to 160 lb/ft3),
we assume that formula
                   E­­c = 57000√f’c
• Water tightness:
• Another property of concrete is water
tightness. Sometime, it’s called impermeability
of concrete.
• Water tightness of concrete is directly related
to the durability of concrete.
• The lesser the permeability, the more the
durability of concrete.
• Now the question is, what is the permeability
of concrete?
In simple word, the capability of penetrating
outer media into concrete is the permeability of
concrete.
• Outer media means water, chemicals,
sulphates, etc.
 Admixtures
• Admixtures are artificial or natural materials added to the concrete besides
cement, water and aggregate to improve certain property of concrete during
casting or setting or service stage.
• To improve the properties of the concrete required. It can be divided in 2
groups that is:
• Chemical
• Mineral
• Functions of Admixture
• As explained above, admixtures are added to modify concrete properties. Major functions and advantages of
using admixtures are detailed below.
• To improve workability of fresh concrete
• To improve durability by entrainment of air
• To reduce the water required
• To accelerate setting & hardening & thus to produce high early strength
• To impart water repellent / water proofing property
• To cause dispersion of the cement particles when mixed with water
• To retard setting
• To improve wear resistance (hardness)
• To offset / reduce shrinkage during setting & hardening
• To cause expansion of concrete and automatic prestressing of steel
• To aerate mortar / concrete to produce a light-weight product
• To impart colour to concrete
• To offset or reduce some chemical reaction
• To reduce bleeding
• To reduce the evolution of heat
Types
Plasticizer
Super plasticizer
Retarder
Accelerator
Air entraining agent
Mineral
Waterproofing
Coloring
Pozzolana
Fly ash
Plasticizer
“These are the compound which reduce given W/C ratio to increase
workability”

Need
• Column and beam junction
• Dam or water retaining structures
• Tremie method
• Pumping
• Deep beam
• Reduce water demand by 15%

T.E.CIVIL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY 30

Super Plasticizer
“It is the improved version of plasticizer. Permit to reduce W/C ratio up to 0.25 for grade up
to 120 MPA ”

• Developed in Japan and Germany -1960 and 1970

• Reduce water demand up to 30%

• Ex.
SMF- Sulphonate malanie formaldehyde condenstate.
SNF- Sulphonate napthaline formaldehyde condenstate.
MLS- Modified lignosulphate

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Super Plasticizer
• Mechanism- Same as plasticizer. But powerful dispersing agent and high range water
reducer
• Use to make concrete of grade 120 Mpa and more
• Dosage- 2.5% to 5 % by weight of cement
• Workability reduces as C3A content increases
• Add 2/3 water to mixing drum
• Add super plasticizer in remaining 1/3 water
• Add to well mixed concrete in two to three steps

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Retarders
“ It slow down the chemical process of hydration, so concrete remain in
plastic state and remain workable for longer time”
Used
• Hot weather condition
• To avoid the cold joints
• Longer transportation

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Accerlator
“ It is used to fast the chemical process of hydration so concrete will gain
the strength in less time”
Advantages
• Early remove of formwork
• Period of curing
• Reduce the time for functioning
• Cold weathering concreting
• Repairs work

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Air entraining admixture
“The air entraining agent incorporate millions of non collapsing air bubble which will modify
properties of concrete”
Type
• Entrained air- intentionally incorporate- 5 to 80 micron
• Entrapped air- voids present in concrete
Use
In Koyna dam, Hirakud dam
Reduce freezing and thawing effect
Drawback
1% reduce 1.4 MPA strength

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Air entraining admixture
Facts.
• It should not react with cement
• Lower density
• Reduce permeability
• Greater resistance to chemical attack
• Spherical bubble act as fine aggregate, and reduce water requirement by 3.5
Kg/m3 to 4.5 kg /m3

T.E.CIVIL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY 36

• Pozzolonic admixture/ mineral

• Volcanic ash ,siliceous, aluminous

• Ca(OH)2+fly ash= C-S-H gel

• Pozzolonic reaction

• Increase strength in concrete at later stage

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• Pozzolonic admixture/ mineral
fly ash-

• Finely divided residue from combustion of coal

• 30% as per IS code (3812-2003)
• Types -During formation of cement and making of concrete
• Class F- less than 5% Cao
• Class C- More than 10% Cao

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 Admixtures

Types of fly ash

• Class f- Cao less than 5%
• Class c- Cao less than 10%

Effect of fly ash on fresh concrete

• Reduction of water content
• Reduction of bleeding
• Reduction of heat of hydration

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Effect on hardened concrete
• Less strength early stages ,
• higher strength at later stages

Durability of structure is high

T.E.CIVIL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY 40

Admixtures
Effect on fresh concrete
• Increases water demand i.e. 1 % of water increases with 1% of silica
• More heat of hydration
• Plastic shrinkage
• Lower slump
• Less bleeding ,less seggregation

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