TECHNICAL SEMINAR REPORT

ON

“VACUUM DE-WATERED FLOORING”

Work carried out at

SIDDAGANGA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING

In

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Of

Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum

By

ASHWITH KUMAR H

1SI19CV008

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SIDDAGANGA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

TUMAKURU – 572103, KARNATAKA, INDIA

2022 – 2023

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 CERTIFICATE

Certified that the seminar report entitled “Vacuum de-watered

concrete” is a bonafied work carried out by Ashwith Kumar H
[1SI19CV008] In partial fulfilment for the completion of VII semester
of Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering of Siddaganga
Institute of Technology, an autonomous institute under Visvesvaraya
Technical University, Belgaum during Academic year 2022- 2023. It
is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated for internal
assessment have been incorporated in the report deposited in the
departmental library. The technical seminar report has been approved
as it satisfies the academic requirement in respect of work prescribed
for Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Signature of Guide Signature of HOD

Dr. N Chakravarthy Dr. Muttana S Balreddy

Assistant Professor Assistant Professor
SIT, Tumakuru SIT, Tumakuru

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We express our sincere gratitude and salutations to his holiness

Dr. Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamigalu of Sree Siddaganga Math for
his unlimited blessings.

First and foremost we wish to express our deep sincere feelings

of gratitude to our Institution, Siddaganga Institute of Technology,
for providing us opportunity for completing our project successfully.

We deeply indebted to Dr. M N Channabasappa, Director,

S.I.T, Tumakuru, Dr. S V Dinesh, Principal, S.I.T, Tumakuru and
Dr.Muttana S Balreddy, Head of the Department, Civil Engineering,
S.I.T, Tumakuru for facilities made available at the college for
carrying out our project under.

We are greatly benefited under the valuable guidance and

coordination of Dr N Chakravarthy Professor, Department of Civil
Engineering, S.I.T, Tumakuru for guiding and facilitating to complete
our major project work successfully.

We are conscious of the fact that we have received cooperation in

many ways from the
Teaching, Technical & Supporting staffs for helping out in conducting
tests.
We express heartfelt gratitude to our parents and friends for their
constant moral support and encouragement throughout this work.

Ashwith Kumar H
(1si19cv008)

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 CONTENTS

1. ABSTRACT………………………………………………………5

2. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………6

3. LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………….8

4. METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................15

5. CASE STUDY…………………………………………………….24

6. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………29

7. REFERENCES…………………………………………………….30

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`

ABSTRACT

Vacuum De-Watered Flooring is a peculiar type of concrete flooring, in which water from the
concrete is expelled, which minimizes the capillary pores and increases the durability of the
concrete. This process of expulsion of water from concrete increases its density, improved
lower water permeability, lower absorptiveness and greatly improves the impact and abrasion
resistance of the concrete surface. This process of concreting is used for industrial flooring,
concrete roads, sewage treatment plants, shopping malls, parking area, concrete flooring in
ware house etc. Normally, the cost of vacuum dewatered flooring is considerably lesser, and
it is more durable than other conventional systems of creating industrial flooring. This
method facilitates the use of concrete with better workability than ordinary concrete.
Vacuum treatment is especially used for concreting of large, exposed surface in humid
conditions. Vacuum dewatering is done to achieve high compressive strength, high wear
resistance, reduced shrinkage and greatly increases the resistance towards salt water, frost,
and chemical attacks. Technologies which are applied in this process will improve the
physical behavior of concrete. In this method dewatering of concrete is done by vacuum
process. This process effectively removes excess water from newly placed, compacted, and
levelled surface of concrete. Lowering of water-cement ratio leads to improvement of
concrete properties. Nowadays this vacuum dewatering technique for flooring is excessively
used by various builders and contractors in order to achieve speed in construction and to get
good quality of concrete floors.

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 INTRODUCTION
Vacuum De-Watered Flooring is a peculiar type of concrete flooring, in which water is taken
away from the concrete, which minimizes the capillary pores and improves the durability of
the concrete. This process of expulsion of water from concrete increases its density, improved
lower water permeability, lower absorptiveness and greatly improves the impact and abrasion
resistance of the concrete surface. This process of concreting is used for industrial flooring,
concrete roads, sewage treatment plants, shopping malls, parking area, concrete flooring in
ware house etc.
The De-watering of concrete by Vacuum technique was intimated by the United states during
1935 by K. P. Billner and maximum succeeding development has been based on his
substantial ideas. This method was used in the 1940’s and early 1950’s, with the latest
practical application in the United States occurred in 1965. Vacuum dewatering got a
revitalization after two or three Scandinavian firms accomplished in facilitating the
equipment sufficient to make it practical for any builder. De-watering can leads to the
improvement of compressive strength. In Sweden this vacuum technique is now used for 40
to 60 % of all floors for de-watering. Vacuum technique is unusual in columns and walls.
Tremix or vacuum dewatering flooring is popularly known in India, as Vacuum dewatering
process of concrete. It was initially developed by Tremix AB, Sweden a long time ago. This
method was initiated in India by Aquarius Technologies in 1987.
VDF concrete have high wear resistance, high compressive strength, decreased shrinkage and
least water permeability. The Vacuum Dewatered Flooring technique is framework for laying
great solid floors with predominant cost effectiveness. The principle of this technique is the
dewatering of cement by vacuum process. Surplus water from the concrete is expelled out
quickly. This process decreasing the water-cement proportion to an optimum level.
 Adopting the VD flooring strategy encourages utilization of cement with preferred
functionality over what is actually possible.
 A lowered water-cement ratio because of vacuum dewatering prompts improvement in
each and every properties of concrete like hardness, durability, density, compressive strength,
water absorption.
 Through the vacuum treatment, it is conceivable to decrease the water content in the
concrete by 15-25% which extraordinarily increases the compressive strength of cement by
40-70%.

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 By lowering the water-cement ratio, the tendency of shrinkage and consequent cracking is
extraordinarily diminished.
 By lowering the water-cement ratio, the tendency of shrinkage and consequent cracking is
extraordinarily diminished.

HYDRO POWER PLANT

CAR PARKING

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

1. Neha et al (2020) : The vacuum dewatering process evaluates the surplus water
present in the solid. This is finished utilizing the Vacuum Equipment involving suction
mat top cover filter cautions and vacuum pump. TREMIX method facilitates the use of
Concrete with better workability than what is normally possible. A lowered water
cement ratio automatically leads to a noticeable improvement in almost each of the
concrete properties.

2. Vivek et.al (2015): The vacuum dewatering results in coarse aggregate in the fresh
mix being drawn to the top surface a further contributing factor in achieving wear-
resistant concrete surfaces the surface of vacuum treated concrete is free of pitting, an
important consideration for abrasion resistance and the possible exposure to a continuous
flow of liquid over the member. Technologies applied in concrete flooring will improve
concrete flooring physical behavior. Vacuum is immediately created between the filter
pads and the top cover. Atmospheric pressure compresses the concrete, and the surplus
water is squeezed out. This process lowers the water content in the concrete by 15-25%.
From the literature review and case studies it is concluded that, Vacuum dewatering
process is very important modern construction work in the context of economy, facility,
modern technology and comfort. It is very useful for special purpose projects like for the
use of wear house, parking area, industrial flooring like flooring of large area. And

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 nowadays Vacuum dewatering process are very easily used in the construction industry
using any modern techniques and machineries.

3. Subhash et.al(2019): The author taken a set of 90 experimental observations

obtained from laboratory testing with and without application of vacuum dewatering
after designing and casting the concrete of said three grades. The standard cubes of size
150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were obtained by core cutting and tested for compression
after 3, 4, 21 and 28 days of proper curing.
A total data set was segregated in two groups. A group of 63 observations was used for
model development and smaller group of 27 observations was used for testing the
models.
Investigated three different grades of concrete namely M20, M30 and M40 to evaluate
its compressive strength. The experimental research involved only testing of cubes only.
The effect of the technique on early compressive strength of the concrete was found very
significant. The early increase in strength was of the order of about 60%, 57% and 54%
for M20, M30 and M40 grades of concrete mixes respectively. The increase in 28 days
compressive strength was observed about 40%, 36% and 32% for M20, M30 and M40
grades of concrete mixes respectively.

4. Sundrani et.al.(2012): This process reduces the water-cement ratio to an ideal level.
Cement consumption is less compared to ordinary concrete. Increase in abrasion
resistance resulting in less wear and tear of the surface. Shrinkage of concrete is reduced.
this process helps in the elimination of voids and entrapped air in the concrete.

5. Hatanaka et.(2010): The strength and hardness of concrete slab surface is

considered significantly affected by bleeding of concrete. It has been reported that
dewatering by vacuum processing is quite effective to obtain high density of concrete.
The authors have examined the data on the properties of concrete slabs that were
subjected to vacuum treatment, and indicated the problems associated with the
application of the conventional vacuum treatment technique to building floor slabs. In

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 this study, therefore, a series of four experiments has been conducted. The main factors
were slump (8 and 18 cm) in Experiment I, strength level (10, 20, 30 and 40 MPa) in
Experiment II, slab thickness (12, 18, and 24 cm) in Experiment III, and the timing of
the start of vacuum dewatering (0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min later after placing) in
Experiment VI. Greater the slump/the lower the level of strength/the earlier the timing of
dewatering start, the higher the dewatering rate. The hardness, represented by rebound
number, on a slab surface was drastically increased by vacuum treatment. The
compressive strength distribution inside the slab was dramatically improved by vacuum
treatment. That is, for specimens that were not subjected to vacuum treatment, the higher
the layer the lesser the strength, whereas for those specimens that underwent vacuum
treatment, the higher the layer the greater the strength.

6. Haitham (2014): In this paper, the author investigate a new technique for producing
vacuum-dewatered concrete. Perforated PVC pipes incased in cotton cloth are used in
this technique to dewater concrete from inside of concrete volume, rather than from the
surface, as is the case in the conventional vacuum dewatering method. These pipes are
laid in position inside concrete forms, and a vacuum pump is connected to the
dewatering pipes, which is operated after casting of fresh concrete to remove the
excessive water from which. Properties of vacuum dewatered concrete using the new
technique are investigated by a series of tests. By the test results, the new technique
improves concrete strength and other mechanical properties particularly at early ages.
The new dewatering technique is a good alternative to the conventional vacuum
dewatering technique and can have a wider range of practical applications than the
conventional method.
Perforated PVC pipes of 10mm outside diameter enclosed in cotton cloth can be used as
practical artificial drains to consolidate concrete and improve concrete properties by
vacuum process. The most suitable and practical spacing of dewatering pipes for
concrete of large dimensions is 200-250 mm. Vacuum duration depends on spacing of
dewatering pipes and cement/aggregate ratio, for spacing of 200- 250mm, vacuum
processing during 40 minutes is convenient. The new vacuum dewatering technique
stiffen concrete very rapidly and increase early strength of concrete by 2 to 3 folds,
which is of considerable economic value, particularly in a precast concrete factories. The

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 new technique can be used simultaneously with the conventional dewatering technique
to extract excess water from inside and surface of concrete, using one vacuum pump for
both processes. The new dewatering technique increases preliminary work before
concrete casting, but save work and time during concrete casting in comparison with the
conventional method.

7. Avitesh et al, (2017): In this paper this paper the author focused on the water -
cement ratio, it is much more than 0.38 mainly because of the requirement of
workability. After the requirement of workability is over, this excess water will
eventually evaporate leaving capillary pores in the concrete. In the concrete, the result of
these pores is higher permeability and less strength. Therefore, workability and high
strength do not go together as their requirements are contradictory to each other. Vacuum
dewatering is the effective technique used to overcome this contradiction of opposite
requirements of workability and high strength. With this technique both these are
possible at the same time.
After the finishing and the vibration process they laid a mat which is a vacuum mat on
the surface. The system of the lower and upper floor mats mat stack on new concrete and
joined to the vacuum pump. It draws out overabundance water, assuming any, the
concrete left to set. At the point when the base cement is solidified at the time when the
moment traffic light foot leaves a print around 3–6 mm, surface hardener is put at an
even rate of between 3 and 5 kg/sq m any draining water have to have vanished, but now
concrete must be wet sparkle. Concrete is then further compacted and is adjusted to the
force of the Floater then, completing as a rubbing machine. After that hardener applied at
surface for quick setting and strength

8. Bolat et.al (2016): Vacuum dewatering method is the process of removing some of
mixing water from fresh concrete. Therefore, excess mix water damages are prevented
and mechanical strengths increase after concrete takes the shape of the mold. Fiber
admixtures are mostly used for increasing the flexural strength of concrete. However,
there are also effects on the compressive strength. In this paper the author examined the
effects of application of the vacuum dewatering on the compressive strength of concrete

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 with addition of steel and polyester fibers. The parameters of the study are fiber types
(steel, polyester), fiber ratios (3 different ratios), fiber lengths (long, short) for concrete
class and two different application methods (normal, vacuum). The compressive
strengths of the concrete prepared in accordance with these parameters are determined
after 1, 3, 7 and 28 days. Thus, it is investigated that each of the parameters is affected
concrete compressive strength.
After conducting the conducting the experiments they came to know that Vacuum
application increased strength in all types of concrete, compared to reference concrete. It
increased strength by up to 41, 26 and 24% for low, normal and high strength steel
reinforced concretes and up to 41, 33 and 19% for low, normal and high strength
polyester reinforced concrete samples, respectively.

9. Tripathy(2013): Abrasion , deterioration of concrete floor because of low

compressive strength and high water-cement ratio are the root cause for the failure of
concrete floors. To overcome inadequacy of concrete, a system is developed to improve
the properties of such concrete floors i.e., high compressive strength, high durability,
lower watercement ratio, high abrasion resistance is achieved by this method.

10.Emere Sanack (2008): In this paper the author studied with respect to concrete slab
its height is 15cm & size is 200*600cm,a concrete slab is exposed to vacuum for 35min
with size of 300*400cm and a concrete slab is vacuum procced for 18 min with size of
300*400cm were produced. Compressive strength test were performed on core specimen
taken from these three concrete slabs on 7th,28th days.
A tendency to increase in density exists depending on the time of vacuum dewatering.
Accordingly, more compact concretes with fewer pores may be obtained by especially
full vacuum dewatering process. This process for 35min provided 55% increase in
compressive strength at the end of 36 month water cure period. In case of the concrete
exposed to outdoor conditions, the increase in compressive strength was 23% .
Considering comparison of tensile strength values, it was seen that increase of 9-17%
were obtained depending on time of vacuum dewatering process.

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11.Hakan et.al. (2016): This study investigated the effects of macro and micro fibers of
polypropylene on compressive strengths of normal and vacuum applied concrete.
Parameters of the study were as follows: fiber diameter, 3‐different fiber ratios, different
fiber length, 3‐different concrete strength class and two different application methods
i.e, normal and vacuum. Compressive strength tests were performed at the end of 1, 3, 7
and 28 days. Consequently, all the parameters affected the compressive strengths and
other properties of the macro and micro polypropylene fiber‐reinforced concretes.
Vacuum application increases 28‐day compressive strength of concrete up to 25%. The
highest increase in strength was observed in macro PP fiber‐reinforced concrete samples
with B ratio and micro PP fiber‐ reinforced concrete samples with A ratio.

12.Bahadur et.al.(2019): Vacuum dewatering concrete increases the compressive

strength, corrosion resistance, tensile strength, flexural strength, workability, durability
and decrease in permeability, shrinkage, minimize the cracks and concrete become
denser than conventional concrete. Superior quality of floors can be obtained by using
this method, and 15 to 25% water extracted out with the increases the compressive
strength about 20-25%.

13.Sakamoto et. al, (2010): In this paper the authors pointed out the strong relationship
between strength distribution and density distribution in vacuum-dewatered concrete,
both of which gradually decrease from the top surface to a depth of about 15 cm. The
main purpose of the present study is to discuss the mechanism of the occurrence of such
distribution of strength and density, based on consolidation theory. In an experiment,
pore water pressure distribution in concrete is measured by means of an original
measuring system. The results of the experiment confirm that the consolidation theory is
quite effective in explaining the internal properties of vacuum-dewatered concrete as
well as those of press-dewatered concrete. A prediction method for the strength
improvement of concrete by vacuum dewatering is also discussed. It was considered
likely that pore water pressure distribution generated by vacuum dewatering could be
attributable to the influences of capillary tension and viscous resistance.

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14.Anas et.al.(2014): . In this study perforated PVC pipes incased in cotton cloth are
used in this technique to dewater concrete from inside of concrete volume, rather than
from the surface, as is the case in the conventional vacuum dewatering method. These
pipes are laid in position inside concrete forms, and a vacuum pump is connected to the
dewatering pipes, which is operated after casting of fresh concrete to remove the
excessive water from which. Properties of vacuum dewatered concrete using the new
technique are investigated by a series of tests. It is a good alternative to the conventional
vacuum dewatering technique and is suitable and more convenient for concrete of high
thickness and large dimensions. Perforated PVC pipes of 10mm outside diameter
enclosed in cotton cloth can be used as practical artificial drains to consolidate concrete
and improve concrete properties by vacuum process.

15.Ankit et.al(2019): By studying this paper it concluded that, Vacuum dewatering

concrete is very important in modern construction in the context of economy, facility,
modern technology and comfort. It is very useful special purpose project like for
Warehouse, Parking area, industrial flooring, Pavement and Bridge. In which increase in
compressive strength, corrosion resistance, tensile strength, flexural strength,
workability, durability and decrease in permeability, shrinkage, minimize the cracks and
concrete become denser than conventional concrete. And now a day vacuum dewatering
process is very easily used in the construction industry by using any modern techniques
and machineries. Good quality of floor and pavement can be obtained. 200 to 250sqm
concrete flooring can be done in 8-10 hours. And 15 to 25% water extracted out with the
increases the compressive strength about 20-25%. They also told that the uncontrolled
removal of water from the concrete matrix can result in adverse effects such as plastic
shrinkage& cracking. Excessive bleeding of concrete can negatively interfere with
surface characteristics such as resistance to wear.

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 EQUIPMENT

The main equipment’s used for vacuum de-watered flooring are:

i. Vibrators

ii. De-watering mat

iii. Vacuum pump

iv. Power float

1) Vibrators:

Concrete is vibrated with immersion vibrators also known as poker or needle vibrator, if the
slab thickness is more than about four inches (10 cm). It is then levelled and vibrated with a
double beam vibrating screed, which works either on the form edges or on elevated rails
above the concrete .The evenness of the concrete surface is entirely dependent on the proper
level of the form edges or rails. It consists of high quality steel bar 4.2m with spacing of
250mm in between. Special water protective equipment is mounted in the centre.

Immersion Vibrators Double Beam Screed Vibrator

2) De-Watering Mat:

De-watering mat is also known as suction mat , used to squeeze out and remove excess water
from the concrete. De-watering mat is placed on the freshly placed concrete which will not

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allow the cement paste to ooze out. It has multiple layers to collect the extracted water which
is then conveyed to the vacuum pump.

It is generally rolled up on two pipes for ease of handling. It is light and like the filter pads,
which can easily be handled by two means.

Dewatering Mat

3) Vacuum Pump:

Vacuum pump unit. The vacuum unit consists of a pump, a water collecting tank for the
extracted water, a filter and control equipment. All this is conventionally fabricated upon a
pneumatic wheels. The pump should be capable of reaching a vacuum of at least 0.8
atmosphere (80 % of maximum possible vacuum). Vacuum Pump reduces water content and
draw all the air bubbles present in the concrete.

Vacuum pump

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4) Power Float:

Power float is used for floating operation which makes the cement more compact and to
generate a very smooth finish. The top surface is immediately floated after dewatering with a
power trowel fitted with a disc or extra large float shoes. After 30 to 90 minutes final
troweling is done using a power trowel with blades to allow the top surface to crumble and
provide a uniform quality surface on top. The floating operations aims at removing the local
high spots and irregularities which may occur in conjuction of vacuum de-watering process.

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 VACUUM DE-WATERING OF FLOORS

Procedure

Before Construction,

 In the instance of backfilled soil, The soil have to be well compacted so that it can take
further loads over it without failure.
 Soiling of minimum 150mm thickness (or as per drawing) should be laid.
 A layer of polythene sheet (gliding layer) and then plain cement concrete of thickness 50 to
75mm (or as per drawing) is laid and cured for minimum of 3 days.
 This PCC creates a levelled substrate which will facilitate easy and proper laying of
reinforcement rods.
 MS angles are fixed at places of drains and other openings, on top of which drain covers
(lids), will be placed.
 Electrical and plumbing work should be completed and checked before VDF.
 Button marking should be done all round the area, and the slopes and gradients should be
fixed as per drawings.
 Expansion joint boards should be fixed all around the columns and walls. This is done to
distinct the concrete from the structural member, to allow expansion and contraction.

Expansion Joint Boards Fixed Around Columns and Walls

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The expansion joints should be given in the shape of a key, for loads up to 40KN.
If the loads exceed 40KN, then suitable bolts should be embedded in the expansion
joints at suitable intervals to prevent differential settlement.

Bolt

Key

Shape of Expansion join Bolts in Expansion joint

 Then the surface of PCC is cleaned to remove all debris and dust.

 It is recommended to have two layers of low density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets above the
PCC, before fastening the reinforcement. This is given to distinct the VDF concrete from
PCC as a gliding layer.

 The reinforcement steel should be provided as per the drawings.

During Construction,

 The surface of the PCC should be properly moistened.

 The slump of the concrete being used should be 100mm ± 10mm.

 Concrete of prescribed grade is poured into place and brought to the required slope.

 The concrete is vibrated using platform vibrators.

 The de-watering mat is laid on this concrete surface. Supervision should be taken to
prohibit air leakage.

 A constant pressure of suction should be maintained during vacuum de-watering.

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 Care should be taken to stop vacuum de-watering at the correct time so that excess water is
not removed. The rate of dewatering should be 1-2 min for every 1cm thickness of the laid
concrete.

 The excess water that is being removed is the water which has been added to concrete to
increase its workability.

 The concrete surface should not to be loaded or stepped upon for 2 to 3 hours.

 Then the top surface of the concrete is finished using a power trowel immediately after de-
watering.

 The power trowel is floated on the concrete surface to give it a firm and smooth finish.

 Cement or cement mortar should not be laid while power floating to achieve a smooth
finish.

 The power trowel is then fitted with the blade rotor tool and floated on the concrete to get a
shiny finish. Delay in starting this activity could lead to the extraction of the coarse
aggregates from the concrete.

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 Layout of Vacuum De-watering Concrete

After Construction,

 10 hours after with this activity and within 48hours, groove cutting should be done.

 The groove should be 3mm in width and to a depth of 60mm from the VDF top (or as per
the drawing) and filled with bitumen. This acts as an expansion joint.

Groove Cutting

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 The groves for the bays in internal areas can be left open unless instructed otherwise. The
grooves in the external areas should be filled with bitumen.

 In case, the construction joints are not in line, then the joint should be grooved again to
make it a straight line and then filled with bitumen.

 Continuous curing for the VDF has to be done for a minimum of 3 days, using hessian
cloth.

 Heavy vibrations should be avoided in the vicinity of the VDF area for the first 24hours

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages:

 Low production costs

 Earlier utilization

 Low maintenance costs

 Minimum dusting

 Even and levelled floor

 Minimized crack formation

 Improved wear resistance

 Reduced water permeability

 Uniform quality
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 Minimized dry shrinkage

 Minimized plastic shrinkage

 Increased tensile strength

 Improved frost resistance

 High flatness accuracy

 Increased compressive strength

Disadvantages:

 High initial cost

 Requires skilled labour

 Requires specific equipment

 Requires more power consumption

APPLICATIONS

Vacuum de-watered flooring has so many applications in industrial area, in commercial area
as well as in public areas.

In Industrial Area: In Public Area:

 Space shuttles  Bridges

 Work shops  Railway platform’s

 Canals  Harbours

 Cold storage plants  Shopping malls

 Hydro power plants  Airport

 Cooling towers  Basement parking area

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CASE STUDY

This experimental work is done by EMRE SANCAK , Department Of Construction

Education, Faculty of Technical Education, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey.

In this study,

i. Reference concrete slab – 15cm thickness and size 200x600cm

ii. Full vacuumed concrete slab (35min) – size 300X400cm

iii. Semi vacuumed concrete slab (18min) – size 300X400cm were produced.

In this study, it was intend for the determination of the outcome of vacuum de-watering on
strength characteristics and durability of concrete in the construction field . For this result,
three different types of concrete slabs, Reference (without vacuum dewatering) concrete slab,
Full vacuum (35min) concrete and Semi vacuum (18min) concrete were assembled.

Ready - mixed concrete was used in this experimental study. Concrete with nominal
compressive strength of 20MPa was cast into moulds with size of 3 X 4m for Full vacuum
concrete slab and Semi vacuum concrete slab and 2 X 6m for Reference concrete slab with
15cm thickness.

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Area drilled core samples for experimental investigations.

PROCEDURE:

 Vacuum de-watering was done after the concrete has been cast and placed and then the
concrete surface is vibrated using screed vibrator.

 Vacuum was enforced for 35min for Full vacuum concrete (FVC).
 And it was applied for 18 min to Semi vacuum concrete (SVM).
 Vacuum de-watering process was not enforced on Reference concrete (RC) for
formulating comparison.

 Later the RC has been cast and levelled and then the surface had been levelled by using
screed vibrator and vacuum de-watering process has been completed for FVC and SVC,
finishing of concrete surfaces was done by power floating.

 Concrete was exhibited to outside conditions having average daily temperature of +17°C
for day light and +3°C for darkness for 5 days.

 After the end of this period, core specimens having 75mm diameter have being taken at
intervals of 10cm, as per ASTMC 42 (1999) concrete has to be tested on 7 th and 28th days
and eventually it was cured in an atmosphere favouring with 95% relative humidity.

 Compressive strength was calculated on 7th and 28th day. Loading rate was 1.30 KN/Sec.

 Indirect tensile strength was obtained by carry outing the split tensile strength test. Loading
rate was 0.5 KN/Sec.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Some physical properties of concrete :

Concrete Water Unit weight Pore ratio Dry density

types absorption (Kg/m3) (Kg/m3)
capacity (%)

RC 4.760 2478 10.310 2535

SVC 3.045 2491 6.773 2576

FVC 2.608 2598 5.862 2627

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 Table1. Properties Of Concrete

From Table1. we can conclude that water absorption capacity of FVC was reduced
by 20% compared to RC slab, density of the FVC was more compared to RC and
SVC and the pore ratio of FVC was decreased by 50% compared to RC.

Compressive strength

Compressive Strength (MPa)

Concrete type 7 day 28 day 36 month

RC 16.88 22.07 26.21

SVC 18.95 22.13 27.98

FVC 19.63 24.26 37.77

Table 2. Compressive Strength of Concrete

From the above Table 2 we can conclude that FVC samples have high
compressive strength. In resemblance with RC, SVC sample increase by 44% and
FVC sample by 56% at the end period of 36 months.

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 Compressive strength of the samples stored in laboratory

Compressive Strength and Density variation of the samples at

the end of 36 month.

Tensile Strength.

Indirect Tensile strength of the concrete after 36-month cured.

 In comparison with RC slab, FVC slab increases by 9% and SVC slab by 10% .
 It was additionally observed that tensile strength increases by 12% and 17%
respectively when cured outside.
 From the above fig 8.2.3 it can be noted that FVC slabs have developed more
indirect tensile strength than that of SVC and RC slab in both curing conditions.

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Conclusions made from this experimental study :

In this study outcome of vacuum de-watering concrete on strength and durability

characteristics were studied, the following conclusions were made :
 A propensity to increase in density obtained depending on time of application
of vacuum in dewatering process. Therefore, high compactness, uniform quality
concrete slab with less pores is attained specifically by the Full vacuum dewatering
process.
 Vacuum application for 35 min in dewatering process increases the
compressive strength by 55%. In the instance of concrete surface exposed to outer
environment, it was observed that there will be increase in compressive strength by
23%.
 By comparing the tensile strength values, it was observed that the tensile
strength was increased by 9 -17%, depending on time of vacuum dewatering
process.

As a outcome, vacuum dewatering process helps to remove surplus water from the
concrete and thus, concretes possessing required durability and high strength may
be produced.

COMPARSION

Comparison of vacuum de-watered concrete with ordinary concrete :

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 Effect of vacuum dewatering of concrete
 The initial strength achieved by vacuum dewatered concrete is greater than the
strength of ordinary concrete which can be achieved on 28th .
 Vacuum concrete achieves more compressive strength more than ordinary
concrete.
 All layers of the concrete achieve the strength uniformly during curing.
 Since the surface is of high strength they are non – corrosive.

CONCLUSION

 Vacuum dewatering process is significant current development work with regards to

economy, office, present day innovation and solace.
 Vacuum dewatering concrete increases the compressive strength, corrosion resistance,
tensile strength, flexural strength, workability, durability and decrease in permeability,
shrinkage, minimize the cracks and concrete become denser than conventional concrete.
 It provides an cost-effective compaction technique to concrete which provides a high
workability to the concrete.
 This process increases the abrasion resistance resulting in less wear and tear of the surface.
 It is exceptionally helpful for particular reason ventures like for the utilization of wear
house, stopping zone, mechanical ground surface like deck of enormous zone.
 .It is very useful for particular type of projects like hydro power plants, sewage treatment
plants, parking area, wear house, industrial flooring .
 At present this process can be effortlessly used in the construction industry using any
advanced methodology and machineries.

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