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Ce141 Lec4 Concrete
Ce141 Lec4 Concrete
CE141 – LECTURE 4
Concrete
In its simplest form, concrete
is a mixture of paste and
aggregates (sand & rock). The
paste, composed of cement
and water, coats the surface of
the fine (sand) and coarse
aggregates (rocks) and binds
them together into a rock-like
mass known as concrete.
1.
Proportioning
of Concrete
Mixes
Proportioning of
Concrete Mixes
● The nominal mix is the process in which all the ingredients are prescribed
as per specifications and their proportions are specified in the ratio of
cement to aggregates for the certain strength achievement. The nominal
mix is preferred for simpler, relatively unimportant and small concrete
works. Concrete shall be called ‘Nominal mix concrete’ when concrete is
made in proportion mix like 1:1.5:3, 1:2:4, 1:3:6 etc. and so without any
scientific basis, but based on past empirical studies.
Nominal Mix
● Arbitrary Method
● Fineness Modulus Method
● Minimum Void Method
● Maximum Density Method
● Water-Cement Ratio Method
Arbitrary Method
Where:
aggregate.
Maximum Density
Method
● Not very popular.
Where:
Mixing, Placing,
and Handling
of Fresh
Concrete
Mixing, Placing, and
Handling Fresh Concrete
● Ready-Mixed Concrete -- This type of operation eliminates the need for mass
storage of materials on the job site. There are several ways to handle this type of
operation
○ Central-mixed: completely mixed at the batching plant
○ Transit-mixed: concrete is partially mixed or completely mixed in transit
○ Shrink-mixed: concrete is partially mixed at the plant and completely mixed in
the truck mixer
○ Truck-mixed: completely mixed in the truck after being charged at the plant
● Remixing - Concrete is often remixed at the job site to ensure proper slump is
achieved.
Placement of Concrete
● SPECIAL PLACEMENT
○ Slip Forming: A method for the continuous placement and consolidation of concrete.
○ Preplaced Aggregates: In this method, forms are packed with well-graded
aggregates and injected with mortar to fill the voids.
○ Shotcreting or Guniting: In this method concrete is applied by spraying it from a
nozzle by means of compressed air.
○ Tremie Concrete: his method is used for pouring concrete underwater or placement
in deep forms.
○ Underwater Placement: The tremie method is only one method for underwater
placement.
Consolidation
● After placement, the concrete should be consolidated into the forms and around
reinforcing bars to eliminate trapped air and voids. Most concrete now placed is
consolidated by vibration.
○ Concrete Vibrators
■ Basically, a vibrator applies periodic shear forces to the concrete which
causes the material to flow.
○ Vacuum Dewatering
■ A method of consolidation of horizontal surfaces which removes water
form the upper 12 inches of the slab, effectively consolidating the
material.
Finishing Concrete
● Screeding: Excess concrete is struck off to bring the surface to the desired
level and fill any low spots.
● Floating: After the concrete has hardened and bleed water has
disappeared, the surface is floated to a flat blade. This process compacts
and removes imperfections from the surface while forcing cement and
water to the surface. Excessive floating will cause a high w/c ratio and
weaken the surface.
● Trowelling: After floating, a surface may be steel-troweled to provide a
really smooth, dense, wear-resistant surface.
Finishing Concrete
Curing
Concrete
Curing of Concrete
● Ponding
○ Usually used on flat surfaces like pavements, footpaths, and floors.
○ A pond of water that is retained at the perimeter of the concrete.
○ Efficient method for preventing loss of moisture & maintaining a
uniform temperature.
● Sprinkling
○ Continuous sprinkling or done in intervals
(with supervision).
○ Prevents cracking caused by alternate cycles
of wetting and drying.
○ The method requires an adequate supply of
water and careful supervision.
CCANZ (n.d.). Curing Methods. Retrieved from
https://www.ccanz.org.nz/page/Curing-Methods.aspx
Water Curing
● Wet Coverings
○ Wet coverings use hessian or other moisture
retaining fabrics for are used.
○ Coverings should be, immediately after
hardening, placed above concrete to prevent
surface cracking.
○ Should be kept continuously moist.
CCANZ (n.d.). Curing Methods. Retrieved from
https://www.ccanz.org.nz/page/Curing-Methods.aspx
Sheet Curing
● Can be carried out more easily on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
● Polythene sheets are easy to handle and can be re-used.
● Coverings should be, immediately after hardening, placed above concrete
to prevent surface cracking.
● Formwork Protection:
○ Formworks protects the concrete against loss of
moisture, and thus allows curing to proceed.
○ Concrete that is in an exposed must be
thoroughly cured.
● Formwork Protection:
○ But in a mild, protected environment, and
provided that the formwork has been in position
for at least four days, there might be no need for
further curing even in dry weather.
● Keeps the surface moist and raises the temperature of concrete to quicken
the rate of strength achievement.
● Done to speed up the early hardening of concrete and mortars by
subjecting it to steam and humidity.
● Commonly used for precast concrete plants.
Properties of
Hardened
Concrete
Properties
of Concrete
● Strength
● Durability
● Creep
● Shrinkage
● Elasticity
Strength
● The strength of concrete means the maximum amount of load which it can
handle. It is also considered as its most valuable property.
● There are two types of strength of concrete:
○ Compressive Strength
○ Tensile Strength
Compressive Strength
•Water-Cement Ratio.
Tensile Strength
deterioration that are likely to act on it, after setting, in a given environment.
○ Frost Action
○ Chemical Action
Creep
● Also called cold flow, is the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or
● The modulus of Elasticity of concrete depends on the Modulus of Elasticity of the concrete’s
ingredients and their mix proportions. As per the ACI code, the modulus of Elasticity can be
calculated using the following equation:
5.
Testing of
Hardened
Concrete
Two Types of Tests