CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

Fifth Edition
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr M L Gambhir has been Professor and Head of Civil
Engineering Department, and Dean Planning & Resource
Generation at the Thapar University, Patiala (previously
Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala). He
obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Univer-
sity of Roorkee (presently Indian Institute of Technology,
Roorkee) and PhD from Queen’s University, Kingston,
Canada.
His major research interests have been in the areas of
structural engineering particularly in structural failures and rehabilitation of struc-
tures; vibration-based health monitoring of structures; structural reliability; structur-
al stability and dynamics; high performance concrete; steel and reinforced concrete
design. He has wide experience in structural design of diverse types of structures in
structural steel and reinforced concrete.
Dr Gambhir has published over 65 technical papers in archival refereed journals
and international conferences and has authored with reputed publishers.
He has been a recipient of several prestigious awards. He is a member of Indian
Society for Technical Education and the Indian Society for Earthquake Technology.
He has also been the Chairman/Member of numerous committees.
 CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
Fifth Edition

M L Gambhir
Formerly Professor and Head
Department of Civil Engineering
Dean, Planning and Resource Generation
Thapar University, Patiala
Punjab

McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited

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Concrete Technology, 5e
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 CONTENTS
Preface xi
1. Concrete as Construction Material 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Classification of Concrete 5
1.3 Properties of Concrete 6
1.4 Grades of Concrete 6
1.5 Advantages of Concrete 7
1.6 Disadvantages of Concrete 9
1.7 Concept of Quality Control 9
1.8 Concrete Industry 10
1.9 Challenges Faced by the Concrete Industry 10
Review Questions 15
Multiple-Choice Questions 15
Answers to MCQ 16
2. Concrete Making Materials—I: Cement 17
2.1 Introduction 17
2.2 Portland Cement 18
2.3 Types of Cements 33
2.4 International Cement Classifications 50
2.5 Storage of Cement 53
2.6 Cement Certification and Rejection 54
Review Questions 54
Multiple-Choice Questions 55
Answers to MCQ 62
3. Concrete Making Materials—II: Aggregate 63
3.1 Introduction 63
3.2 Classification of Aggregates 63
3.3 Characteristics of Aggregates 69
3.4 Deleterious Substances in Aggregates 75
3.5 Soundness of Aggregate 76
3.6 Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR) 77
3.7 Thermal Properties of Aggregates 78
3.8 Fineness Modulus 79
3.9 Maximum Size of Aggregate 80
3.10 Grading and Surface Area of Aggregate 81
3.11 Testing of Aggregates 88
3.12 Aggregate Processing, Handling and Storing 90
3.13 Marine-Dredged Aggregate 91
3.14 Recycled Concrete 92
Review Questions 92
 vi Contents

Multiple-Choice Questions 93
Answers to MCQ 95
4. Concrete Making Materials—III: Water 96
4.1 Introduction 96
4.2 Quality of Mixing Water 96
4.3 Curing Water 100
Review Questions 100
Multiple-Choice Questions 100
Answers to MCQ 101

5. Chemical Admixtures and Mineral Additives 102

5.1 Introduction 102
5.2 Functions of Admixtures 103
5.3 Classification of Admixtures 104
5.4 Physical Requirements of Admixtures 129
5.5 Indian Standard Specifications 131
5.6 Mineral or Supplementary Additives 134
Review Questions 143
Multiple-Choice Questions 143
Answers to MCQ 144
6. Properties of Fresh Concrete 145
6.1 Introduction 145
6.2 Workability 146
6.3 Measurement of Workability 148
6.4 Factors Affecting Workability 154
6.5 Requirements of Workability 157
6.6 Estimation of Errors 160
6.7 Air Content Test 160
Review Questions 161
Multiple-Choice Questions 161
Answers to MCQ 164
7. Rheology of Concrete 165
7.1 Introduction 165
7.2 Representation of Rheological Behaviour 167
7.3 Measurement of Rheology by the Modified Slump Test 169
7.4 Factors Affecting Rheological Properties 174
7.5 Mixture Adjustments 177
Review Questions 177
Multiple-Choice Questions 177
Answers to MCQ 178
8. Properties of Hardened Concrete 179
8.1 Introduction 179
8.2 Strengths of Concrete 179
8.3 Stress and Strain Characteristics of Concrete 190
 Contents vii

8.4 Dimensional Stability— Shrinkage and Creep 194

8.5 Creep of Concrete 198
8.6 Permeability of Concrete 198
8.7 Durability of Concrete 200
8.8 Concrete in Marine Environment 206
8.9 Acid Attack 208
8.10 Efflorescence 208
8.11 Fire Resistance 208
8.12 Thermal Properties of Concrete 210
8.13 Micro-Cracking of Concrete 211
Review Questions 212
Multiple-Choice Questions 213
Answers to MCQ 216
9. Quality Control of Concrete 218
9.1 Introduction 218
9.2 Factors Causing Variations in the Quality of Concrete 219
9.3 Field Control 220
9.4 Advantages of Quality Control 221
9.5 Statistical Quality Control 221
9.6 Measure of Variability 223
9.7 Application 225
9.8 Quality Management in Concrete Construction 231
Review Questions 236
Multiple-Choice Questions 237
Answers to MCQ 238
10. Proportioning of Concrete Mixes 239
10.1 Introduction 239
10.2 Basic Considerations for Concrete Mix Design 241
10.3 Factors Influencing the Choice of Mix Proportions 241
10.4 Methods of Concrete Mix Design for Medium Strength Concretes 253
10.5 Trial and Adjustment Method of Mix Design 254
10.6 New European Standards on Concrete 255
10.7 British Doe Method of Concrete Mix Design 261
10.8 The ACI Method For Mix Proportioning 275
10.9 Concrete Mix Proportioning – Is Guidelines 283
10.10 Concrete Mix Proportioning using FlY Ash - Is Guidlines 295
10.11 Rapid Method for Mix Design 297
10.12 Concrete Mix Design Illustration 301
10.13 Comparison of Mix Proportioning Methods 307
10.14 Optimum Concrete Mix Design 309
10.15 Design of High-Strength Concrete Mixes 313
10.16 Mix Proportioning for High Performance Concrete 313
10.17 Design of High Workability Concrete Mixes 329
10.18 Trial Mixes 333
10.19 Conversion of Mix Proportions From Mass to Volume Basis 333
viii Contents

10.20 Quantities of Materials to Make Specified Volume of Concrete 334

10.21 Acceptance Criteria for Concrete 335
10.22 Field Adjustments 336
10.23 Generalized Format for Concrete Mix Design 337
Review Questions 340
Multiple-Choice Questions 343
Answers to MCQ 349
11. Production of Concrete 350
11.1 Introduction 350
11.2 Batching of Materials 350
11.3 Mixing of Concrete Materials 352
11.4 Transportation of Concrete 356
11.5 Ready-Mixed Concrete 361
11.6 Placing of Concrete 370
11.7 Compaction of Concrete 373
11.8 Finishing of Concrete 381
11.9 Curing of Concrete 385
11.10 Formwork 396
11.11 Slip-Forming Technique 401
Review Questions 403
Multiple-Choice Questions 403
Answers to MCQ 408
12. Concrete Under Extreme Environmental Conditions 409
12.1 Introduction 409
12.2 Concreting in Hot Weather 409
12.3 Cold Weather Concreting 411
12.4 Underwater Concreting 414
Review Questions 420
Multiple-Choice Questions 420
Answers to MCQ 421
13. Inspection and Testing 422
13.1 Introduction 422
13.2 Inspection Testing of Fresh Concrete 423
13.3 Non-Destructive Testing of In–Situ Fresh Concrete 430
13.4 Acceptance Testing of Hardened Concrete 434
Review Questions 458
Multiple-Choice Questions 459
Answers to MCQ 460
14. Special Concretes and Concreting Techniques 461
14.1 Introduction 461
14.2 Lightweight Concrete 463
14.3 Ultra-Lightweight Concrete 473
14.4 Vacuum Concrete 474
14.5 Mass Concrete 476
 Contents ix

14.6 Roller-Compacted Concrete 476

14.7 Waste Material-Based Concrete 482
14.8 Shotcrete or Guniting 488
14.9 Ferrocement 495
14.10 Fiber-Reinforced Concrete 506
14.11 Different Types of Fibers 511
14.12 Polymer Concrete Composites (PCCS) 532
14.13 Jet (Ultra-Rapid Hardening) Cement Concrete 541
14.14 Gap-Graded Concrete 543
14.15 No-Fines Concrete 544
14.16 High Density Concrete 544
14.17 Nuclear Concrete 547
14.18 Heat Resisting and Refractory Concretes 548
Review Questions 554
Multiple-Choice Questions 554
Answers to MCQ 559
15. Deterioration of Concrete and its Prevention 560
15.1 Introduction 560
15.2 Corrosion of Concrete 560
15.3 Corrosion of Reinforcement 566
Review Questions 572
Multiple-Choice Questions 573
Answers to MCQ 573
16. High-Perfomance Concretes 574
16.1 Introduction 574
16.2 High Performance Concrete 576
16.3 Classification 576
16.4 Self-Compacting or Super-Workable Concrete 579
16.5 Lightweight Foamed or Aerated Concrete 617
16.6 Low Heat of Hydration Concrete 630
16.7 General Field Environment 630
16.8 Durability Performance Grades 633
16.9 Standard Test Procedures 637
16.10 Performance Enhancement 638
16.11 Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete 667
16.12 Applications of High- Performance Concrete 671
Review Questions 673
Multiple-Choice Questions 673
Answers to MCQ 675
17. Repair Technology for Concrete Structures 676
17.1 Introduction 676
17.2 Symptoms and Diagnosis of Distress 678
17.3 Evaluation of Cracks 686
17.4 Selection of Repair Procedure 690
 x Contents

17.5 Repair of Cracks 691

17.6 Common Types of Repairs 709
17.7 Typical Examples of Concrete Repair 715
17.8 Leak Sealing 722
17.9 Underwater Repairs 723
17.10 Distress in Fire Damaged Structures 727
17.11 Strengthening with Composite Laminates 729
17.12 Strengthening of Deficient Structures 732
Review Questions 735
Multiple-Choice Questions 735
Answers to MCQ 738

Appendix 739
Bibiliography 756
Index 763