MATERIALS USED: -

The materials used in construction are measured differently for different materials. The
bricks, blocks are measured in number while cement is measured in weight.

MEASUREMENT OF MATERIALS: -
The materials used for preparation of concrete are

1. Cement

2. Fine aggregate

3. Coarse aggregate

4. Brick waste and Concrete waste used in different proportions

5. Silica fume

6. Plasticizers

7. Water

Their accurate measurement before mixing is very important so that the required quantities in
the proportion of the concrete mix are obtained. Here is measurement of materials used in
engineered cement concrete.

Cement: -

It is preferable to measure cement in terms of its weight, and not in terms of volume. The
volume of cement changes with the conditions of measurement. In our country, cement is
supplied in bags, each bag weighing 50 kg. Under normal conditions, the volume of cement
in the bag is considered equivalent to 34.5 litres. However, if the same cement is shovelled,
the bag may measure up to 42 litres. Before mixing, therefore, cement is measured in terms
of weight.

Fine aggregate: -

Fine aggregate (i.e., sand), may be measured by weight, for accurate works and by volume
for ordinary works. However, when dry sand absorbs water from atmosphere, or when water
is mixed to it artificially, its volume increases. This increases in volume due to moisture in
sand is known as ‘bulking of sand’. Water particles lubricate the sand particles, causing
surface tension, and due to these particles are pulled apart. Thus, increase in volume results.
This increase in volume depends on the gradation of sand, but may be taken to be maximum
at a moisture content of about 4% by weight of dry sand. Further increase in moisture results
in decrease in the percent increase of volume.

The bulking increases with fineness, and may be about 25% by volume Due to this, if sand is
measured by volume, bulking should be properly accounted for Knowing the percentage
bulking at the site, actual volume of corresponding dry sand can be estimated by subtracting
from the measured volume of sand the increase in volume due to bulking. For accurate and
large-scale works, sand is always measured by weight and necessary allowance is made for
the hygroscopic moisture in the sand.

Coarse aggregate: -

There is no problem of bulking in coarse aggregates, hence it may be measured either by

volume or by weight. However, the weight a given volume of aggregate is influenced by the
size of the measuring box. Hence, the accurate and large-scale works, measurement should be
done by weight. The unit weight of coarse aggregate in loose and dry state is found exactly in
the same manner as for fine aggregate, except that a bigger container is used. Since the size
of container has effect on the determinations, Indian Standard specify the following sizes of
container for carrying out the tests:

1. Maximum size of aggregate 5 mm to 40 mm 15-liter capacity cylinder of 25 cm

diameter.

2. Maximum size of aggregate over 40 mm: 40 litre capacity cylinder of 35 cm

diameter.

Brick waste and Concrete waste used in different proportions: -

Engineered Cement is obtained from construction wastes. It may be sourced from buildings
demolition, broken concrete, pavements and broken concrete blocks. The concrete wastes are
crushed into smooth fine particles by machine and also it can be performed by hammer
manually. Then these particles are sieved by 150-micron sieve. Similarly broken or used
bricks are crushed into fine particles and sieved.

Silica Fume: -

Silica fume, a by-product of the ferrosilicon industry, is a highly pozzolanic material that is
used to enhance mechanical and durability properties of concrete. It may be added directly to
concrete as an individual ingredient or in a blend of Portland cement and silica fume. Silica
fume is used in concrete to improve its properties. It has been found that silica fume improves
compressive strength, bond strength, and abrasion resistance; reduces permeability; and
therefore, helps in protecting reinforcing steel from corrosion.
Plasticizers: - Plasticizers are admixtures that are added to concrete to increase the fluidity
or workability of a cement paste or concrete. It is also called as workability aids, that are
added to fresh or early-stage concrete to change its workability characteristics. Plasticizers
are also called as water-reducers as they produce a concrete with the same workability at a
lower water/cement ratio. Plasticizers hence help to manufacture a concrete mix with high
durability with the same water content.

Water: -

Water is normally measured by volume, and specified as so many litres per bag of cement.
For a given quantity of water to be mixed in concrete, adjustments should be made for the
amount of water present in sand and aggregate. The amount for the water present in the
aggregate, due to hygroscopic action etc., should be subtracted from the total required
quantity of water.