Proportioning Concrete Mixes

• A process of selecting suitable ingredients and determining their

relative proportions with the objective of producing concrete having
certain minimum workability, strength and durability as
economically as possible.
• To determine the most economical and practical combination of
readily available materials to produce a concrete that will satisfy the
performance requirements under particular conditions of use.
• To determine the proportions of ingredients that would produce a
workable concrete mix that is durable, and of required strength, at a
minimum cost.
Factors to be considered:
• Workability
• Cohesiveness, slump
• Placement conditions
• Strength
• Durability
• Appearance
• Economy
• Minimize the amount of cement, minimize w/c ratio
• Minimum amount of water, to reduce cement content
• Do not sacrifice the quality
SLUMP
• Measures the consistency of fresh concrete
before it sets. It is performed to check the
workability of freshly made concrete, and
therefore the ease with which the concrete
flows. Used to ensure the uniformity for
different loads of concrete under field
conditions.
• The slump of the concrete is measured by
measuring the distance from the top of the
slumped concrete to the level of the top of
the slump cone.
• Three types of slump:
Collapse, Shear slump, True Slump
TYPES OF SLUMP
• In a collapse slump the concrete collapses
completely.
• In a shear slump the top portion of the
concrete shears off and slips sideways.
• In a true slump the concrete simply
subsides, keeping more or less to shape.
• If a shear or collapse slump is achieved, a fresh sample
should be taken and the test repeated. Only a true
slump is of any use in the test. A collapse slump will
generally mean that the mix is too wet or that it is a
high workability mix, for which the slump test is not
appropriate.
ALLOWABLE SLUMP
BEAMS AND COLUMNS 3in
SLABS,WALLS, PARAPETS AND TOPS 2in
SIDE WALLS AND ARCHES 4in
HEAVY MASS OF CONCRETE 2in
CONCRETE PROPORTIONING
• CLASS AAA 1:1:2
• CLASS AA 1:1.5:3
• CLASS A 1:2:4
• CLASS B 1:2.5:5
• CLASS C 1:3:6
• CLASS D 1:3.5:7
How to compute the concrete mixture
• 1. Determine the volume required.
• 2. Select a class ratio.
MAKING AND CURING CONCRETE TEST
SPECIMENS IN THE FIELD

• Cylindrical samples (6in by 12in)

3 layers
25 blows/layer
1 set (3 cylinders) for every
75cum or fraction thereof, each day of
pouring
• Beam or concrete pavement or slab sample
(6in by 6in by 12in)
1 blow per 2 sq in.

2 layers
63 blows/layer using the same rammer as in
concrete cylindrical sample
Rammer = 5/8 in diam.
Bending Strength/Flexural Strength
• Third Point Loading Method
If the fracture occurs in the tension surface
within the middle third of the span length.

R = PL/ bd2
• Center Point Loading Method
If the fracture occurs in the tension surface
outside of the middle third of the span length
by not more than 5 percent of the span
length.
R = 3Pa/ bd2
• Where:

R = modulus of rupture
Modulus of rupture is a measure of the tensile strength
of concrete beams or slabs.

P = load applied
L = length / span
b = base
d = depth
There is always the possibility of some local
defects being present in any object. When
an object is put under tensile stress it tends
to ‘expand’. All the fibers or regions of an
object experience an equal force. Any weak
regions in such a case may give up and
undergo deformation.
Flexural stress, on the other hand, exerts
both tensile and compressive force upon an
object. This results in unequal distribution of
forces among the fibers of the objects. The
‘extreme fibers’, i.e., the fibers at the surface
of the object tend to experience maximum
forces. Therefore, they are most vulnerable
to breakage or rupture.
QUALITIES OF GOOD CONCRETE
• STRONG - proper selection of materials
• DURABLE – correct proportion and mixing
process
• UNIFORM QUALITY – careful
transportation and placement
• THROUGHLY SOUND - timed curing and
provision for protection
DIFFERENT PROCESS OF MIXING
CONCRETE
• MANUAL – flat surface with shovels and
buggy
• Small Power – a manual mixing rotating
drum
• Bagger Mixer - equipped with diesel
engine and pump operated mechanical
mixing drum or rotating mixing drum at the
back of a truck
METHODS OF TRANSPORTING A
CONCRETE
• Ready mixed - concrete fully mixed at the batch plant
for delivery by an agitator to construction site
• Shrink Mixed - concrete partially mixed at the batch
plant then mixed completely in a truck mixed then
route to construction site
• Transit Mixed - concrete dry batch at a batch plant
and mixed at truck mixer then route to construction
site
• Shotcrete – for lightweight construction where
concrete mix is pumped through a hose and sprayed at
high velocity over reinforcement until desired
thickness is reached.
CONSOLIDATION OF CONCRETE
• The process of eliminating voids other than
entrained air within newly placed concrete
and ensuring close contact of the concrete
with form surfaced and embedded steel
reinforcement by means of vibration,
spading and loading.
• Excessive vibration causes segregation and
stratification.
• Segregation - separation of coarse
aggregates from cement paste causing
excessive horizontal movement making a
free fall mix
• Stratification - separation combined with
excessive wetting into horizontal layers
where lighter material migrates towards
the top.
METHODS OF CONCRETE
CONSTRUCTION
• Cast-in-place – Concrete deposited, formed and
cured and finished in its final position as a part of
the structure
• Slip Form – a form that can be moved slowly and
continuously as concrete is being placed during
construction/ the concrete is poured into a
continously moving form.
• Lift –Slab Construction – structural members are
sequentially lifted into final position
-casting the floor slab on top of the previous slab and
then raising the slab up with hydraulic jacks.
• Tilt-Up Construction – structural members are
custom precasted on site then hoisted into
final position.
-involves site-casting the concrete wall of
a building on its floor slab or on a separate
casting bed and then tilting and lifting them into
position by crane.
• Pre stressing - methods are pretensioning and
post tensioning
Tools in Concrete Construction
• Curing Blanket – built covering made of sack,
matting, burlap, wet earth, sawdust, straw and
plastic
• Scaffolding - a temporary platform structure or
wooden poles and planks providing platform for
working men to stand while erecting or repairing
buildings and provide access to work areas above
ground
• Formwork - temporary construction to obtain wet
concrete in the required shape while it is cast and
set.
Construction Materials and Testing
Concrete
Definition:
Concrete is a construction material composed of
cement, fine aggregates (sand) and coarse aggregates
mixed with water which hardens with time.
 PROPERTIES OF FRESHLY MADE
CONCRETE
Concrete can be described in terms of their
properties. Some may continue slowly over a
long time and others may be initiated by
elements in the environment to which the
concrete is subsequently exposed. Despite all
these complications, concrete of predictable
properties and performance is regularly
produced and used.
 Workability
According to ACI, workability is defined as the ease
with which concrete can be mixed, placed,
consolidated and finished. A mix that is difficult to
place and consolidate will increase the cost of
handling, and lead to poor strength, durability and
appearance. Since it is practically impossible to
devise test methods that can simultaneously check
all these characteristics, the measurement of the
workability of a concrete mixture is obtained
indirectly through its ‘consistency’.
 Workability
As per ACI, consistency is the relative
mobility, or ability of freshly mixed concrete
to flow. It is indicative of the wetness of the
mix. Usually, wetter mixes are more
workable.
 Slump test
Slump test, which is the most common technique
for evaluating workability across the world.

Here, the settlement of concrete from a molded

truncated cone shape is measured, and called as
the ‘slump’. Wetter mixes possess greater slump.
However, sometimes, mixes with high slump need
not show good workability. For example, a wet mix
with a low proportion of fines will show high
slump, but would be harsh to handle.
Slump Test
Vee bee test
The slump test cannot adequately measure
the workability of stiff and dry mixes. The
Vebe test is better suited for this purpose.
Here, vibration is applied to convert a
truncated cone of concrete to a cylindrical
shape, and the time taken for this is
measured. Wetter mixes require lesser
time.
Vee Bee Test
Compaction factor test
In the compaction factor test, a given
volume of concrete undergoes free fall from
one hopper to the second, and then into a
cylindrical container. The compactability of
the concrete is measured from the mass of
the concrete inside the cylindrical container,
without and with vibration (and subsequent
filling).
Compaction Factor Test
Flow Table Test
Flow table test involves the spread of a
truncated cone of concrete on a table that is
dropped a number of times.
Comparison of different tests
The practical user regards workability
requirements simply as provision of sufficient
water to permit concrete to be placed and
consolidated without honeycomb or excessive
water rise; to make concrete ‘‘pumpable’’ if it is
to be placed by pumps; and for slabs, to provide
a surface that can be finished properly. These
workability requirements vary with the project
and the placing, vibration, and finishing
equipment used.
 Specific Weight
• Specific weight is a quality index, because
its correlates with other characteristics
as: compaction, mechanical strength,
permeability, freeze – thaw resistance
and etc.
Quality index – intended to allow
evaluation of key factors which
contribute to make up “appropriate
quality”.
For building materials, the difference
between specific gravity and relative density
is usually negligible and the terms are often
used interchangeably.
 Consistency
The consistency of fresh concrete is an
important characteristic in that, it affects its
workability, it can be defined as the concrete
ability to flow
 Temperature

• It is considered only when it is required as

a necessity in the design project that
establishes the maximum and minimum
values for concrete temperature.
 Plastic Settlement
• Concrete is said to be in a plastic state before it begins to
set. When concrete is placed, the aggregate is dispersed by
the cement paste and the particles in the paste are
dispersed in the water. After placing, there is a period of
settlement when the particles come closer together; most
of this settlement usually occurs within an hour to an hour
and a half after placement. Total volume change may, in
extreme cases, amount to 2 per cent or more, but it is not
of great significance because the concrete is in a plastic or
semiplastic state and no appreciable stresses can result
from these changes. During settlement, water often
appears at the surface, having exuded from the plastic
mass. This phenomenon is called bleeding.
Plastic Settlement
Cracks caused when the settlement of
freshconcrete is restrained by reinforcement
or formwork. Plastic settlement cracks can
form in youngconcrete, within the first few
hours after placing. As water moves upward
through the mixture, the denser constituents
move downward.
PROPERTIES OF HARDENED
CONCRETE
1. STRENGTH
 Compressive Strength,fc’

specified compressive strength, psi,

determined in accordance with ASTM C39
from standard 6- 12-in cylinders under
standard laboratory curing; unless otherwise
specified, is based on tests on cylinders 28
days old
Compressive Strength

Values obtained will depend on the size and

shape of the specimen, batching, mixing
procedures, the methods of sampling,
molding, and fabrication and the age,
temperature, and moisture conditions during
curing.
Factors that may affect the
compressive strength of concrete
i. Type of Cement:
• The composition, quality and ‘age‘ of the material
which is used in the manufacture of cement that have
been stored for the considerable time make concrete
of lower strength.
• Cement with higher proportions of tri-calcium silicate
produce concrete that show higher strengths, at least
in earlier stages.
• Similarly, finer the particle size of the cement, higher
is the ultimate compressive strength.
ii.Nature of Aggregates.
• Sand and coarse aggregates form the
other two essential components of
concrete. A good bond between cement
and the aggregates is possible only when
the aggregates have sharp edges, clean
surfaces, and rough texture.
iii. Water-Cement Ratio.
• The compressive strength decreases, in
general, with increasing water cement ratio.
• Hence, when minimum water has been used
just to ensure complete hydration of the
cement, the resulting concrete will give
maximum compressive strength on proper
compaction.
iv. Curing Conditions.
• Great importance is attached to proper curing
of concrete after it’s laying for obtaining
maximum compressive strength.
• Incomplete curing and intermittent drying of
concrete during the curing period may cause
a loss in the compressive strength to the
extent of 40 percent or even more.
v. Weather Conditions.
• The same concrete placed in different
climates -extremely cold and dry hot, may
develop different strength values.
• The cause is related to incomplete
hydration of the cement in the concrete.
vi. Admixtures.
• Certain admixtures are added to the
concrete at the mixing stage for achieving
some specific purposes.
vii. Method of Preparation.
• Improper mixing of the concrete and
careless transport and placing may result
in poor (in strength) quality, despite the
best cement and aggregates used in it.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is an important property of
concrete because concrete structures are
highly vulnerable to tensile cracking due to
various kinds of effects and applied loading
itself. However, the tensile strength of
concrete is very low in compared to its
compressive strength.
Plain concrete (without steel reinforcement) is
quite weak in tensile strength which may vary
from 1/8th to 1/20th of the ultimate
compressive strength.

It is primarily for this reason that steel bars

(reinforcement) are introduced into the concrete
at the laying stage to get a block of reinforced
concrete which is very Strong in compression as
well as in tension.
Tensile Strength
The tensile strength of concrete is
determined by indirect test methods:
1. Split Tensile Test
2. Flexure Test
Split Tensile Strength
• Splitting tensile strength is simpler to
determine than direct tensile strength.
• Splitting tensile strength is used to
evaluate the shear resistance provided by
concrete in reinforced lightweight
aggregate concrete members.
Flexural Strength
It is a measure of an unreinforced concrete
beam or slab to resist failure in bending.
- It is expressed as Modulus of Rupture.
- It is a material property, defined as
the stress in a material just before
it yields in a flexure test.
Flexural Strength
• ASTM C293 – center point loading
• ASTM C78 – Three Point Loading
Modulus of Rupture
- an ultimate strength pertaining to the
failure of beams by flexure equal to the
bending moment at rupture divided by the
section modulus of the beam
2. DURABILITY
Durability is the second most important
quality of hardened concrete. It may be
defined as the capacity of hardened concrete
to withstand all the forces of deterioration
that are likely to act on it, after setting, in a
given environment.
• Among these forces, the following are
more likely to act.
1. Frost action.
2. Abrasive forces.
3. Chemical action.
4. Alkali-aggregate reaction.
FROST ACTION

Frost Action is a major cause of deterioration

of concrete in Cold Climates. It takes place
due to freezing or water within the concrete
pores and cavities during extremely cold
weather.
CHEMICAL ATTACK
Concrete is liable to attack to various degrees
by acids alkalies and salt solutions.

The sources of these acids can be from

within or outside the environment in which
concrete has been used. Thus, hydrochloric
acid and sulphuric acid may be present in
industrial and domestic sewage.
CHEMICAL ATTACK

They will destroy gradually the calcium

hydroxide components of concrete used for
sewage disposal. Other acids may attack the
concrete used in the industrial buildings
of acids.
ALKALI SILICA REACTION
In ASR, aggregates containing certain forms
of silica will react with alkali hydroxide in
concrete to form a gel that swells as it
adsorbs water from the surrounding cement
paste or the environment. These gels can
induce enough expansive pressure to
damage concrete.
ALKALI SILICA REACTION
3. Modulus of Elasticity Ec
• For important projects, it is best to secure this
information at least once, during the tests on
the trial batches at the various curing ages.
An accurate value will be useful in prescribing
camber or avoiding unusual deflections. An
exact value of Ec is invaluable for long span,
thin-shell construction, where deflections can
be large and must be predicted accurately for
proper construction and timing removal of
forms.
Modulus of Elasticity Ec
- is a quantity that measures an object or
substance's resistance to being deformed
elastically when a stress is applied to it. The
elastic modulus of an object is defined as
the slope of its stress–strain curve in the
elastic deformation region:A stiffer material
will have a higher elastic modulus.
Modulus of Elasticity Ec

Stiffness is the rigidity of an object — the

extent to which it resists deformation in
response to an applied force.

The more flexible an object is, the less stiff it

is.
 PLOT THE STRESS- STRAIN DIAGRAM
EXAMPLE: AND DETERMINE THE FOLLOWING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES:

Data were obtained during a LOAD (lb) Elongation

(in) LOAD (lb) Elongation
tension test of an aluminum (in)
0 0
alloy. The initial diameter of 14000 0.020
the test specimen was 0.505 2310 0.0022
14400 0.025
in and the gage length was 2.0 4640 0.0044
in. 14500 0.060
6950 0.0066
A. PROPORTIONAL LIMIT 14600 0.080
B. MODULUS OF ELASTICITY 9290 0.0088
14800 0.100
C. YIELD STRESS AT 0.2 % OFFSET 11600 0.0110
14600 0.120
D. ULTIMATE STRESS
13000 0.0150
E. NOMINAL RUPTURE STRESS 13600 FRACTURE
A. PROPORTIONAL
LIMIT
= 58,000 psi
B. MODULUS OF
ELASTICITY
σ= Eϵ ; E=σ/ϵ
E = 10,500,000 psi
C. YIELD STRESS
= 69,000 psi
D. ULTIMATE STRESS
= 74,000 psi
E. ACTUAL RUPTURE
STRENGTH
= 68,000 psi
DIMENSION STABILITY
CREEP
This defines the behavior of concrete under loads.

• It is now well established that concrete is not a truly elastic

material. Also, it is not entirely plastic material. When
hardened concrete is loaded, it deforms.
Partly as a result of elastic strain (which is recovered on the
removal of the load);
Partly as a result of plastic strain (a permanent deformation).
This latter non-elastic time dependent deformation is a typical
property of concrete and is commonly referred as CREEP.
Concrete mixes with higher water-cement ratio will also show
higher creep rates.
SHRINKAGE:
• Hardened Concrete undergoes in three
types of shrinkage that are important with
respect to its dimensional stability:
1. Plastic shrinkage.
2. Drying shrinkage.
3. Thermal shrinkage.
i. Plastic Shrinkage.
• This is the shrinkage that the freshly placed
concrete undergoes till it sets completely. It may
also be called initial shrinkage.
• Such a volumetric change is due to loss of water
from the fresh concrete due to evaporation,
bleeding, seepage, and soaking by formwork.
• Excessive shrinkage at initial stages may develop
extensive cracking in the concrete on the setting.
Therefore, all precautions should be taken to
avoid excessive loss of water due to evaporation.
PLASTIC SHRINKAGE
ii. Drying Shrinkage :
• As the concrete has completely set and hardens,
some further shrinkage may result because of
contraction of gel-structure due to further loss of
moisture, or drying (against the term evaporation
used in the first type of shrinkage).
• This kind of shrinkage is practically an essential
and irreversible property of concrete. It has to be
met with by careful design of reinforcement to
avoid its ill effects (cracking of hardened
concrete).
DRYING SHRINKAGE
iii. Thermal Shrinkage.
• This may be due to fall in temperature of
concrete from the time it is laid till it sets
completely.
5. EXPANSION
• Thermal Expansion: In massive concrete
works, when the upper layers are laid before
the lower layers have completely set, there
can arise a phenomenon of thermal
expansion in the lower layers.
• This is because the heat of hydration gets
accumulated in those layers and may attain
magnitudes beyond acceptable limits.
Chemical Reactions: Alkali-aggregate reactions are known to
cause a definite expansion in the concrete.
• The reaction between amorphous silica of aggregates and
oxides of potassium and sodium – from the cement used
in aggregate yield crystalline structures of bigger volumes.
• This change becomes harmful because these gel-
structures are not as stable and strong as those formed by
reaction between calcium oxide and silica.
• They become the cause of cracking and quicker
deterioration of hardened concrete.
ADMIXTURES
DEFINITION
Admixtures are anything other than
cement, water, and aggregates that are
added to a concrete mix to modify its
properties.
MAJOR REASONS FOR USING
ADMIXTURES
• To reduce the cost of concrete
construction
• To achieve the certain properties in
concrete more effectively
• To ensure the quality of concrete during
the stages of mixing, transporting, placing
and curing in adverse weather conditions.
• To overcome certain emergencies during
concrete operations.
The effectiveness of admixture
depends upon these factors:
1. type, brand and amount of cement ;
2. water content
3. aggregate shape
4. gradation and proportions
5. mixing time
6. slump
7. temperatures of concrete and air.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF ADMIXTURES
1. AIR ENTRAINING ADMIXTURES
2. CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES
3. MINERAL ADMIXTURES
Air-Entraining Admixtures
• These create numerous microscopic air
spaces within concrete to protect it from
degradation due to repeated freezing and
thawing or exposure to aggressive
chemicals. For concrete exposed to
repeated cycles of freezing and thawing,
the air gaps provide room for expansion of
external and internal water, which
otherwise would damage the concrete.
FREEZING AND THAWING
WEATHERING
A crack in a rock can fill with water which
then freezes as the temperature drops. As
the it freezes, it pushes the crack apart,
making it larger. When the temperature rises
again, it melts, and the water fills the newer
parts of the crack. The water freezes again as
the temperature falls and the expansion
causes further expansion to the crack. This
process continues until the rock breaks.
Freeze-thaw damage occurs in concrete when the
water molecules in concrete freeze and expand
beyond the volume constraints of the concrete.
When there is more than 91% of the pores of
concrete are filled with water, the concrete is known
to be saturated. When these water molecules freeze,
they expand by 9% and because there is no room for
their increased volume, the concrete distresses. The
freeze can cause the bonds in cement around the
aggregate to break and the concrete can crack in
those places.
ASTM C260
The ‘‘Standard Specification for Air-
Entraining Admixtures for Concrete,’’
covers materials for use of air-entraining
admixtures to be added to concrete in the
field.
CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES
generally serve as water reducers,
accelerators, set retarders, or a
combination.
ASTM C494
‘‘Standard Specification for Chemical
Admixtures for Concrete
Can we combine two admixtures?
 YES!
• The combination of admixtures used in
a concrete mix should be carefully
evaluated and tested to ensure that the
desired properties are achieved.
Furthermore, because of differences in
percentage of solids between products
from different companies, there is not
always a direct correspondence in dosage
between admixtures of the same class.
Therefore, it is important to consider the
chemical composition carefully when
evaluating competing admixtures.
For example, depending on the dosage of
admixture and chemistry of the cement,
it is possible that a retarding admixture
will accelerate the set. Note also that all
normal-set admixtures will retard the set
if the dosage is excessive.
• Type Property
• A Water reducer
• B Set retarder
• C Set accelerator
• D Water reducer and set retarder
• E Water reducer and set accelerator
• F High-range water reducer
• G High-range water reducer and set
retarder
Water-Reducing Admixtures
These decrease water requirements for a
concrete mix by chemically reacting with
early hydration products to form a
monomolecular layer of admixture at the
cement water interface.
• This layer isolates individual particles of
cement and reduces the energy required to
cause the mix to flow. Thus, the mix is
‘‘lubricated’’ and exposes more cement
particles for hydration. The Type A admixture
allows the amount of mixing water to be
reduced while maintaining the same mix
slump. At a constant water-cement ratio, this
admixture allows the cement content to be
decreased without loss of strength.
• If the amount of water is not reduced,
slump of the mix will be increased and
also strength will be increased because
more of the cement surface area will
be exposed for hydration.
Water-Reducing Admixtures
• The Type A admixture allows the amount of
mixing water to be reduced while maintaining
the same mix slump. Or at a constant water-
cement ratio, this admixture allows the
cement content to be decreased without loss
of strength. If the amount of water is not
reduced, slump of the mix will be increased
and also strength will be increased because
more of the cement surface area will be
exposed for hydration.
A reduction in mixing water of 5 to 10% can be
expected.

A concrete without an admixture typically has a

slump of 2 to 3 in. After the admixture is added,
the slump may be in the range of 8 to 10 in
without segregation of mix components. These
admixtures are especially useful for mixes with a
low water-cement ratio.
• Superplasticizers are high-range water-
reducing admixtures that meet the
requirements of ASTM C494 Type F or G. They
are often used to achieve high strength
concrete by use of a low water-cement ratio
with good workability and low segregation.
They also may be used to produce concrete of
specified strengths with less cement at
constant water-cement ratio.
• Type F and G admixtures are used where
there is a need for high-workability concrete.
A concrete without an admixture typically has
a slump of 2 to 3 in. After the admixture is
added, the slump may be in the range of 8 to
10 in without segregation of mix components.
These admixtures are especially useful for
mixes with a low water-cement ratio. Their 12
to 30% reduction in water allows a
corresponding reduction in cementitious
material.
• And they may be used to produce self-
compacting, self-leveling flowing
concretes, for such applications as long
distance pumping of concrete from
mixer to formwork or placing concrete
in forms congested with reinforcing
steel.
self-leveling flowing concrete
Self compacting
Good workability
Set-Accelerating Admixtures

used to decrease the time from the start

of addition of water to cement to initial
set and to increase the rate of strength
gain of concrete. The most commonly
used set-accelerating admixture is
calcium chloride.
Retarding Admixtures
• All normal water-reducing admixtures retard
the initial set of concrete.
• Type B or D admixture will allow transport of
concrete for a longer time before initial set
occurs. Final set also is delayed. Beneficial
side effect of retardation of initial and final
sets is an increase in the compressive strength
of the concrete.
• A commonly used Type D admixture provides
higher 7- and 28-day strengths than a Type A
when used in the same mix design.
• Set retarding concrete admixtures are
used to delay the chemical reaction
that takes place when the concrete
starts the setting process. These types
of concrete admixtures are commonly
used to reduce the effect of high
temperature that could produce a
faster initial setting of concrete.
• Set retarding admixtures are used in concrete
pavement construction, allowing more time
for finishing ​concrete pavements, reducing
additional costs to place a new concrete batch
plant on the job site and helps eliminate cold
joints in concrete. Retarders can also be used
to resist cracking due to form deflection that
can occur when horizontal slabs are placed in
sections. Most retarders also function as
water reducers and may entrain some air in
concrete.
What is meant by the common term
'cold joint?"
• A cold joint is a plane of weakness in
concrete caused by an interruption or
delay in the concreting operations. It
occurs when the first batch of concrete
has begun to set before the next batch is
added, so that the two batches do not
intermix. Sometimes cold joints occur
because of emergency interruptions and
delays and sometimes because of the
work stoppage at the end of the day.
• To prevent cold joints in walls, beams
and other structural components it is
necessary to place concrete in layers
about 18 inches deep and intermix
each layer with the previous one by
using a vibrator. Placement of concrete
should begin in the corners and work
toward the center.
Mineral Admixtures

• Fly ashes, pozzolans, and microsilicates

(silica fume) are included in the mineral
admixture classification.
• Natural cement is sometimes used as
an admixture.
FLY ASH
SILICA FUME
• OTHER ADMIXTURES
Corrosion Inhibitors

• Reinforcing steel in concrete usually is

protected against corrosion by the high
alkalinity of the concrete, which creates
a passivating layer at the steel surface.
To inhibit corrosion, calcium-nitrate
admixtures are added to the concrete
at the time of batching.
Internal-barrier admixtures

• Added to the concrete to protect the

reinforcing steel from corrosion. Internal-
barrier admixtures come in two groups,
waterproofing and damp proofing
compounds - The second consists of
agents that create an organic film around
the reinforcing steel, supplementing the
passivating( protect against
contamination) layer.
DO DIFFERENT ADMIXTURES OF A
GIVEN TYPE ALWAYS PERFORM THE
SAME?
• NOT ALWAYS. PERFORM SIMILARLY BUT
TO A DIFFERENT DEGREE AND
SOMETIMES WITH INSUFFICIENT OR
UNEXPECTED RESULTS.
• The reason for this is the great variety
in the composition of all the
ingredients of concrete, particularly the
cementitious material.
• Do some water-reducing
admixtures induce bleeding?
 YES!
• Beneficial in concrete flatwork in a hot,
arid climate by minimizing plastic
shrinkage. Plastic shrinkage occurs
when the rate of evaporation exceeds
the rate of bleeding.
• Bleeding may reduce strength and
increase permeability if the bleed
water is worked into the surface.
• Plastic shrinkage cracks appear in the
surface of fresh concrete soon after it is
placed and while it is still plastic. These
cracks appear mostly on horizontal
surfaces. Plastic shrinkage cracking is
highly likely to occur when high
evaporation rates cause the concrete
surface to dry out before it has set.
Are retarding admixtures reliable as
to the time of setting?

Yes. In addition to variation in the dosage

of the retarding admixture and properties
of cement, initial and final times of
setting of the concrete depend on the
water cement ratio, temperature of the
concrete and ambient conditions.
What is the effect of water-reducing
admixtures on drying shrinkage?
• Very little. Although the use of water-
reducing admixtures will permit a
reduction in water content of the
concrete mixture, it will usually not
result in a decrease in drying shrinkage.
What is drying shrinkage in
concrete?
• When concrete dries, the moisture loss from its
fine pores results in shrinkage. The shrinkage of
the hydrated cement paste is rather large, but the
shrinkage of concrete is considerably reduced
because aggregates take up 65-75% of its volume.
The loss of moisture from fresh concrete results in
a reduction in volume. This shrinkage causes an
increase in tensile stress, which may lead to
cracking, internal warping, and external
deflection, before the concrete is subjected to any
kind of loading. When the stress exceeds the
tensile capacity of the concrete, cracks develop.
• The lowest water-to-cement ratio is
important to avoid this type
of shrinkage. A procedure that will
help reduce settlement cracking, as
well as drying shrinkage in walls, is
to reduce the water content
in concrete as the wall is placed from
the bottom to the top.
Slide Title
Product A Product B
• Feature 1 • Feature 1
• Feature 2 • Feature 2
• Feature 3 • Feature 3