Aggregates Definition: ‘An aggregate is defined as an incrt mineral filler used in gement concrete, The term aggregates isa broad tem used w refer to stones, sani gravels, broken bricks, Mocks and blast furnace ss conerele, Therefore, the slag. It occupies about 70 ~ 75% of the fotal volume of a n properties of concrete depend (0 a large extent on the propentes of the aggregates ws Aggregates used in concrete vary in sizes ‘Types of aggregates Aggregate can be classified in many ways: A) According to the sizes of the particles. i. Coarse aggregate (gravel) fram 4.76mm and above ii Fine aggregate (sand) are les than 4.76mm i, Sile are bewveen 0.02 —0,06mn1 iv. Clay particles are much finer shan 0.02mi B) According to their shape and texture C) According te demsity 1 Heavy aggregate: These have a specific gravity of 4.0g or more e.g. magnetite, Barytes 1. Normal weight aggregate: I's specific gravity ranges between (2.5 ~ 30) g eg. Sands and gravels, granites, basalts, etc IW Light weight aggregate: I's specific gravity is less than 2.0g e.g, foamed slag, clinker (fused coal ash) GRADING OF AGGREGATE! ‘This vefers to the size distribution of aggregates or number of different sized particles present impracticable to count or measure each particle in a load of aggregates Obviously, “Therefore, grading is dane by passing samples through a serics of sieves that are arranged on top of each other with the ones with the largest holes a the top, and those with the smallest holes atthe bottom. During grading, sieves should be shaken very thoroughly to ensure that finer particles ue! dower lorger sieves. In this even ise, all particles of approximately the same size are deposited ‘Scanned with CamSeannery of aggregate deposited on each sieve is weighted ond ona given layer of a sieve. The quant reported as the percentage of the total sample The following might affect the quality of the aggregate and then the enncrete, they Include the organic impurities prescnt, moisture content, ete CHARACTERISTI OFM ‘The two essential requirements oFaggregates are durability and eleanness mixed with materials whieh a) Durab = Aggregates should be hard and should will decay or change in volume when subjected to variations in weather, b) Cleanness: - Aggregates should be clean and free from organic impurities, The presence of organic material in aggregates results to poor concrete, therehy reducing the strength of the conercte. 1, Aggregates are used in making concrete 2, They are used as surface gravels in landscape. 3, They are used as hardcore in flooring. 4. ‘They are used with cement binder as joining materials for pipes, bedding for tiles wn mortar for brickwork and blockwork, 5, They are used for rendering, particularly when fine aggregates are mixed with a binder. CONCRETE Definitio Concrete is an artificial stone which is a mixture of cement, water and aggregate (sand and gravel) and its strength is tremendous. It takes the shape of its mould smd when cured ata suitable temperature and humidity forms a solid mass Concrete is one of the few materials used very olen but in practice, ils «iat considerably, The factors which affeet good and consistent quality are suitable cement, proper aggregate to proportion, good water, mixing in proportions which make for lowest Level of ‘water, curing (drying) in adequate temperature an! humidity, PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE ‘These are; - Workability, uniformity, consistency, segregat and bleeding, 3 ‘Scanned with CamScannerwor! compaction which is very closely related to the uniformity and consistency of the conerete mix. Wis defined as the amount of useful internal work required for full In other word, it describes the ease of compacting concrete mix U FOU TY: Is a degree of homogeneity a state of distibution within the mix CONSISTENCY: Describes the state of welness of the concrete SEGREGATION. Isa slate of non-uniformity. That is the tendency af the heavier particles to separate fim the lighter ones through gravity. Is a type of segregation where in very wet mix surplus water tends to separate and rise up to the surface, I is also known as water gain WORKABILITY TEST ON FR. ONCRETE In determining the mixture consistence/workability of a concrete, the following methods are used: Slump Test, Vebe Consistometer Test, Compacting Facior Test and Cube Test, The last test is more on the strength development than on workability. I is not carried out on site but the other three can be carried out while on site and the results will be available immediately. 1. SLUMP TEST Itis the simplest and most used of all the test, It test more on the consistency and uniformity of concrete mix. I1 is suitable for wet mix not for every wet or very dry mix. Slump test is also used in the field to control the water content of concrete mix. It consist of filling the slump cone with the concrete mix, compacted by hand and measuring by the amount of slump ( _) after the cone has been carefully removed. The greater the sagging/slump, the greater the uniformity of the mix from the shape of the skimp obtained. Nevertheless, before the experiment the intemal surface of the mould is thoroughly cleaned and free from superfluous / unnecessary moisture and any old set concrete. The mould is placed fon a smooth, horizontal, rigid and non-absorhent surface, The mould is then led in four layers, each approximately one quarter of the height of the mould, Aier the tap layer has been rodded, the concrete is struck off level with a trowel and lamping rod, The mould is removed from the concrete immediately hy raising it slow! and corefilly in a vertical direction, This subsidence is referred to as SLUMP OF CONCRETE. The difference in level between the height of the mould and that of the highest point of the subsided concrete is measured, The difference in height in millimeter is known as “Stump of Concrete”. ‘Scanned with CamSeannerTHE PROCEDURE FOR SLUMP Step 1 ~ Pat mixed conerete in a metal cone on a Mat base, 2 = Pack it down, layer by layer with the tamping rod until the cone is full Level the top with a sleel trowel 4 Remove the cone and the concrete will sag (slump) $ — Measure the distance from the top of the cone to the top of the slumped compare this with the desired level of slump 6 — Increase or decrease the water in the mix to get the correct/appropriate slump PMI ‘T USED FOR * Special metal cone © Tamping rod + Measuring tape/ruler Steel trowel Handle Povat Holds Shunp /_\ Figure 1: SLUMP TEST ‘Scanned with CamSeanner2. COMPACTING FACTOR TEST. Cone mix which may’ be too dry for slump test are best by this method tis haved on the extent of compaction of a mix from its five fall over a standard height, This 1s more reliable than slump test The concrete mix is filled inte helper (A) without The conerete mix is filled into oper (A) allowed lo fall into (13) and finally into eylinder (C), The partially compacted weyght fof the conerete (W1) filling the eylinder is found, The eylinder és ers of about Stim each emptiet| and filled with eonerste \ BI ‘emptied and filled with conerete in | well eompueted by hand/ibeation. ‘The weight of the fully compacted eanerete (Ws) is found, The compacting factor (Cf) | is obtained by the ration Wi/Ws, Figure2: COMPACTING FACTOR TEST Sources: Building Technology by Ivor H. Seeley, fifth Ed, + Material science compiled by $.P. shah and G. Winter G. J, Verbeck, Hardined conerete pure structure, ASTM Sp. Tech. publication No 169, 136 ~ 142 (19595) VEBE CONS STOMETER TI I1is suitable for dry mixes to be compacted by vibration, The mix is filled into a slump cone which is inside a hollow cylinder. The shump cone is removed, a loaded transparent plate is rested on the concrete cone while vibrating the concrete to assume the eylindrical shape. The time taken fir the conieil shape to be compacted into cylindric is noted as Vebe seconds. The time is measured with the use of siap watch Reference: Rixon MR, Conerele Admixtures, use: ‘and application, fresh cone, & coment, 1977 ‘Scanned with CamSeannerSpy FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT OF FRESH COt fis. 1. Concrete should be composed of correct proportions of Use and coarse aggregates It should have the correet cement to aggregate ratio It should have the water to cement ratio appropriate to the strength required 4. Ishould be well mixed 5. Ishould be fully compacted 6. It should be well cured INCTIONAL REQUIREMENT OF HARDENED CONCRETE It must be dumble It should have sufficient strength 3. It should be fully compacied so that it is dense 4. Itshould be impermeable to water 5. It should be resistant to friction TREN! ese factors affect the strength of conerete:- i. Constituent of concrete ~ cement, aggregates, ii, Mix proportions and quality control iii, Curing conditions ‘Scanned with CamSeannerMai Concrete is manufactured thiouph the lowing stages: BATCHING Is the process of 0 That is batching by weight ar volume TD Juning the constituent of concrete There ate # ways syegte wt 1), we have to consider the moisture, Strict conttal is needed i measuring water gn admires MINING Is t0 94 ly andy sauce anifirmity an bo geneity nf the ennerete mix, Concrete is mixed nt schanically. Vor h iil mixing. the mixed ballast or separa and and pravel is shoveled svith coment first, The mtu nist be throng, before ve 1 is carefully addled, the imix being turned over al she time Amechaniea sncrete mixer consist essentially of a eytincrical or partly conta drum sn which metal blades are fixed, The dri ss rota J at a relatively slow speed by electrical motor. This enables conerete to he mnde on site orat the manufacturers and transported 19 site following are some common mixes of conerete A) 19 or 3:6 1 to allin aggregate for mass concrete foundations e.g strip oF pad. by bd = Cement to fing aggregate to coarse aggreuate for lintels and for slabs (Upper Moor) and other reinforced cone, Column and beams c) il%e3 = Cement to fine aggreya lo contse aggregate for narrow reinforced concrete sand columns ay 16 Cement to fine aggregate for cement mori. he concrete is transported aller mixing from the mixer to the fonmwork. Strict precaution must be taken to avoid segregation taking place during the transporting stage PLACING: In placing concrete, formwork should be thoroughly cleaned out, and formsvork ‘and reinforcement should be rechecked when conereic is leing placed, its important thatthe composition of the mix is not altered and segre rion does not take place. Dropping of the concrete fom a considerable height increases the risk oF segregation. Unnecessary constvetion joints should be avoided. Compneti ‘This is achieved by either hand tapping or vibration. 1 helps to obtain a dense homogencious mass by removing all entrapped air and voids, ‘Scanned with CamSeannersuing: Concrete must be allowed to set and harden for a period under controle! temperature ind humidity. In other to obtain the desired strength, compacted eonerete must be free from shysieal disturbances. Stream curing is used to accelerate the curing pracess ancl is user for ee: water to prevent premature drying, The following ean be used for eur FINISHE concrete units, Ln very hot, dry weather all surfaces should be thoroughly sprinklecl with 8) Water proof membrane to prevent evaporation of water from the mix. 64s. polythene sheets, water-proof papers ete 1b) Damp or wet coverings (Lessian) to provide continuously a uniform film of moisture cover the concrete. ¢) Sprinkling ponding of water directly. I is only suitable for flat surface such as floors and roofs 4) Sealing compounds (bitumincous emulsions ete) applied all over the surface of the concrete to prevent water loss. : After the concrete has been cured and the formwork removed, the surface may require additional attention such as filling, patching up plastering etc, TYPES OF CONCRETE Concrete are divided into three main types because of the kind of aggregate usec, These are Dense (Heavy weight) conerete, light weight concrete and special concrete. See the chart below. Dense concrete: The aggregate for dense conerete are natural and crushed gravels, sand and crushed stones such as granite, basalt, hard limestone and sandsiones, The various sizes of particles interlock in a well graded aggregate leaving the minimum volume of voids to be filled with cement. The particles also flow together readily ie the aggregate is workable reducing labour in placing concrete and enabling a lower water: cement ratio to be used In is used mostly in x ~ ray and nuclear radiation shielding; balance weights for lift bridges ete ‘Scanned with CamSeannerCONCRET ee jo - Dene cmeie Light Weight Concrete ft] _t 4 Special Con: Radiation Strvctura 2 Shielding (ructural Structural Insulating, No- Fines | | Light weight Dense Agere.|| Agereyate Aerated —— | od Freres] [Fre persone Class ‘Casa Nawal | | amici! : Cellular Compact} | Natural 20 ‘Scanned with CamSeannerLight weight concrete: I cam he structural or insfating conerete, These are further vided into three:= i Aerated concrete ii, Light weight aggregate concrete ii, No~ fines eonerete ructural concrete a general dense, stnactural concrete refers to those Forms of conerete which posses high sile of compressive strength, dimensional stability and toughness, and which are very sistant to weathering. Strucitral concrete can be light weight or high density. Light weight {11800 kg/m? while high density concrete has ructural concrete has a density between 1400 density of about 3700 kgin! or more, Us thermal conductivity, thermal insulation and dency to shrinkage and ercep ate low. It is used for protection against radiation ysulating conerete he term insulating concrete refers to those forms of light weight eoncrete whose thermal ancl juni insulating properties are better than thase of ordinary concrete, Such forms of light eight conerete include sawdust concrete, arated or framed eonerete and no-fine concrete “he density of insulating concrete (b/w 300 and 1850kg/m3) is usually lower than that of rdinary concrete (between 2200 and 2600 kg/m’). “he advantages of using light weight-concretes are:- 1) Saving in the costs of handing materials and of supporting structures b}. Superior thermal insulation (ie material that prevents the passage of electricity, sound, ‘or heat) ) Fire resistance 4) Superior sound absorption e) Easier to cut, screw and nail onto, There also disadvantages of using light weight concrete 1. Lower compressive strength 2. Modulus of elasticity is reduced (modulus of elasticity is expressed as sitess strain) 2, Higher moisture movement ul ‘Scanned with CamSeannerAcrated/cellular concrete: This is produced by introducin fof cement/sand or sometimes lime. Concrete of this type have the lowest densities, air’gas into a matrix, thermal conductivities and strength like timber, The concrete can be sawn, screwed and nailed, but they are non-combustible, The mis is cement sand: water aerating Vom: M1 can be used as either east (for insulating Moor and roof slabs) or MATRIX, precast units (blocks, roof floor stabs, lintels, wall ete) lor wont, aerated conerete can be obtained by an addition of | part of powdered zinc or tinum to every 1000 parts of cement which causes hydrogen to evolve whea mixed with +. As the cement hardens a great number of small sealed voids form in the hardened cement raciuce aerated concrete, which usually consists of a mix of sand, cement and water. i, Light weight aggregate concrete:- The agercgates used for this type of concrete include all light weight a cellular coarse aggregate. The properties of light-weight aggregate concrete are mainly dependent on the type and grading of aggregates, the mix proportions and the water content. Light weight structural conerete has a density b/w 14000 and 1800kh’m3. used mainly for structural blockwork and insulation, Arsen sean 4 Mix materials are:- Cement: sand: coarse aggregate: water eg di 2:4, 1: 3: 6, ete iii, No — fines eonerete:- Does not contain the fine aggregate or even the smaller panicles of coarse aggrey 1e. The voids are between grains of aggregate which is usually one faction, containing a single —size grain either of dense or lighter weight aygregate 2 ‘Scanned with CamSeanner