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UNIT-2

SERVICEABILITY AND DURABILITY OF CONCRETE

Syllabus:

Quality assurance for concrete construction concrete properties - strength,

permeability, thermal properties and cracking. – Effects due to climate,
temperature, chemicals, corrosion – design and constructional errors – Effects of
cover thickness and cracking.

Quality management system: (QMS)

 Quality assurance
 Quality control
 Quality audit

Quality management system: (QMS)

Planning, Engineering, Procurement, construction, Inspection.

Planning:

Owner formulates Quality assurance policy and develops QA plan.

Engineering:

The consultant developed his own design QA programmer and that of

prospective contractors.

Procurement:

Suppliers developed and submit the own QA programmer and QC method.

Construction:

Contractors developed and submit the quality assurance programmer and QC

methods.

Inspection:

The testing agency developed the QA programmer.

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The QA programmer must be addressed fully following aspects:

 Organics action setup.

 Responsibility and authorities of various personal.
 Identification of coordinating personal.
 Quality control measures in design including field changes.
 Establishment of controlled norms acceptance and rejection criteria for
material.
 Inspection programmer for verification of contractual compliance
including acceptance and rejection.
 Sampling testing documentation and material qualification.
 Preparation submission and maintenance of records at all stages.
 Quality assurance activity as to start, planning and design stage.
 It is review of the project including its design drawing and specification
by an independent.

QUALITY CONTROL:

 It implements the quality plan by those actions necessary for conformance to

established requirements.
 It is the system of procedure and standard by which a contractor. Product
manufacturer material process or are the like monitor the properties of
finished work.
 QC is the responsibility of the contracting organization.
 The contracting organization is also responsible for a QC activities related to
its sub contractor.
 The control system to be used by it performing design, purchasing,
fabrication, production of concrete and other construction activities for the
contractual responsibilities.
 Identification of agencies and personal responsible for implementing,
managing and documenting the QC programmer.

QUALITY AUDIT: (INSPECTION CHECK)

 This is a system of tracking and documentation of quality assurance and QC

programs.
 Quality audit covers both the design as per as the construction phase.

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 The concept of quality management encompasses the total project and

element of the project.
 The system on methodology of implementing concept of quality
management depends on available materials and construction technology.
 An integrated systematic implementation of QMS is extremely beneficial.

PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE:

 Strength of concrete.
 Permeability of concrete.
 Durability of concrete.
 Thermal property of concrete.
 Micro cracking of concrete.
 Stress and strain characteristic of concrete.
 Shrinkage and temperature effects.
 Creep of concrete.
 Acid attack fire resistance, efflorescence.

FLEXURE STRENGTH:

 Determination of flexural tensile strength is essential of estimate the

load at which the concrete members may crack.
 It is difficult to determine the tensile the tensile strength of concrete
by conducting a direct tension test.
 The flexural tensile strength at failure or the rupture is thus determine
and used when necessary the modulus of rupture is determined by
testing standard test (150X150X150).
 The results are affected by the size of the specimen casting curing and
moisture condition.

TENSILE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE:

Direct method:

 To determine the tensile strength of concrete can be broadly classified as

direct and indirect method.
 The direct method suffers from a number of difficulty related to holding the
specimen properly in the testing machine without (inducing) introducing

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stress concentration and to the application of uniaxial tensile load which is

free from eccentricity to the specimen.
 Very small eccentricity of load will induce bending and axial force condition
and the concrete fails at apparent tensile stress other then the tensile strength
because of difficulties involved in conducting the direct tension test.

Indirect method: (splitting test)

 The number of IM has been developed to determine the tensile

strength.
 The splitting test are very known indirect test used for determining the
strength of concrete.

Advantages of splitting test:

 The test is simple to perform and given more uniform results then
other tension test.
 The strength determines is closer to the actual tensile strength of the
concrete than given by the modulus of rupture test.
 The same mould can be used for casing specimen for both
compression tension tests.

Factors influencing the strength of concrete:

Factors depending on testing method:

 Size of test specimen.

 Size of specimen in relation to the size of aggregate.
 Support condition of specimen.
 Moisture condition of specimen.
 Type of loading adopted.
 Rate of loading of the specimen.
 Type of test machine.

Factors independent of type of test:

 Type of cement, aggregate and admixture.

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 Degree of compaction.
 Concrete mix proportion.
 Concrete mix proportion.
 Type of curing and temperature of curing.
 Nature of loading to which the specimen is subjected.

Permeability of concrete:

 The penetration by materials in solution may affect the durability of

concrete, the aggressing liquid attack the concrete.
 In case of reinforce concrete increase of moisture air will result in corrosion
of steel which leads to an increase in the volume of steel and to cracking and
spalling of concrete cover.
 The moisture penetration depends on permeability and if the concrete can be
comes saturated with water IF a more frost action.
 The permeability is also of interest in connection with water tightness of
liquid retaining structures and the problem of hydrostatic pressure in the
interior of the dams.
 The flow of water through concrete is similar to flow through any porous
body.
 The pores in cement paste consist of gel pores and capillary pores.
 The pores in concrete as a result of in incomplete compaction are voids of
larger size which gives a honey comb structures. Leading to concrete of low
strength.
 The permeability of cement paste also varies with the age of concrete.
 A durable concrete should be relatively impervious.
 The permeability can be measured by a simple test by measuring the
quantity of water flowing through a given thickness of concrete in given
time.

Thermal properties of concrete:

 Thermal conductivity is a measure of the ability of the concrete. To conduct

heat and it measure.
 Thermal conductivity depends upon the composition of concrete.

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 The structural concrete containing norm aggregate, conduct heat more

readily then light weight concrete.
 Lower the water content of the mix the higher conductivity of e harden
concrete.
 The density of the cornet does not appreciable affects the conductivity of the
ordinary concrete.

Thermal diffusivity:

 Thermal diffusivity is a measure of the rate at which temperature change

within the mass take place.
𝑘
 𝐷=
𝑠𝑑
D= Diffusivity, d=Density, s=Specific head, k=Thermal conductivity
 The range of diffusivity of concrete is between 0.002 to 0.006 m3/h.
 Specific heat
 The specific heat gives the heat capacity of concrete.
 It increases with the moisture content of concrete.

Co-efficient of Thermal expansion:

 The co-efficient of thermal expansion of concrete depends on the

composition of mix and on the value of the co-efficient of expansion of
cement pasted and aggregate.
 The value of co-efficient of thermal expansion varies from of 9X10-6 /c0.
 Thermal properties of aggregate affect the performance of concrete.
 The co-efficient of expansion of aggregate leads to higher co-efficient of
expansion for the concrete.
 The properties of concrete which have bearing on expansion and contraction
on heating and cooling.

Cracking:

Before hardening

After hardening

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Before hardening:

Drying:

Plastic shrink age, Settlement shrinkage, Bleeding, Delayed caring.

Constructional:

Formwork movement, Excess vibration, sub grade settlement,

Finishing.

Early frost damage:

After Hardening:

Unsound materials:

Cement, aggregate, excess silt, Mud and Dust

Thermal:

Heat of hydration, External temperature, Joints in concrete, elevated

temperature, Freezing, Moisture moments, Transition zone, Biological process,
structural design deficiency.

Chemicals:

Sulphate attack, Alkali aggregate attack.

Acid attack, Sea water, Carbonation, Fluorides attack corrosion of

reinforcement.

Pre Hardening:

Constructional movement

1) Sub grade. 5) Formwork.

2) Settlement sub grade. 6) Movement of formation.
3) Moisture changes in subgrade.7) Swelling of wood.
4) Control of sub grading. 8) Construction of adequate forms.

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Settlement Shrinkage:

 Reinforcement
 Settlement of concrete during setting
 Settlement of around obstructions mix to fluid
 Dense mixers with low water content
 Adequate compaction of low lift

Setting shrinkage:

 Plastic shrinkage
 Chemical reaction
 Cracks occurs soon after placing and under moist condition

Drying shrinkage:

 Drying shrinkage
 Rapid drying while setting occurs
 Cracking of exposed surface due to high wind, low humidity
 Temperature differences
 Proper protection

After hardening:

Drying shrinkage:

 Loss of water
 Cracking of buildings slabs and walls
 Dense mixes with low cement and water content adequate curing

Chemical action:

 Concrete and steel

 Expansion of internal mass resulting in cracking of external skin
 Reactive aggregate
 Corrosion of reinforcement
 How alkali cement and non-reactive aggregate
 Thick and dense layer at productive concrete

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Temperature:

Internal:

 Differential expansion and contraction

 Heat of hydration of cement
 Aggregate of abnormal thermal expansion
 Low heat cement and control of temperature rise
 Aggregates of normal thermal expansion

External:

 Climate changes, frost action

 Large slabs (or) walls without adequate joints
 Spalling of surface
 Adequate expansion, contraction joints
 Air entrainment and sound concrete

Structural failure:

 Excessive tensile stress due to load

 Building settlement, excessive load , vibration earthquakes and
insufficient reinforcement

Effects of temperature:

 Fire resistance
 Freezing and thawing
 Effects of salts
 Moisture movement

Fire resistance:

 Concrete though not a refractory material is in combustible and as good fire

resistance.
 The heating of reinforcement aggravates the expansion of both laterally and
longitudinally of the reinforcement bars, resulting in loss of strength of
reinforcement.

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 The effect of increase in temperature on the strength of concrete is not much

up to a temperature of about 250 c0 but above 300c0 loss of strength take
place.
 The hardened concrete contains calcium hydroxide, If this calcium oxides
gets wetted, the calcium by droxideallombired by an expansion is volume.
 Portland blast furnace slack cement is found to be more resistance to the fire
in this regard.
 In mortar and concrete and aggregate undergo a progressive expansion on
heating.
 This expansion as a disruptive action on the stability of concrete.
 The best fire resistance aggregates among the igneous rocks are the basalts
and dolomites.
 Limestone expander sturdily until temperature of about 900 C0
 It has been found that dense limestone is considered as a good fire resistance
aggregates.
 Broken bricks also form a good aggregate in respect of fire resistance.

Freezing and Thawing:

 The lack of durability of concrete on account of freezing and thawing action

of frost is not of great importance to Indian conditions.
 Frost action is one of the most powerful weathering actions on the durability
of concrete.
 The durability of concrete is affected by alternative wetting and drying,
heating and cooling.
 Freezing is one of the very important factors affecting the durability of
concrete in the cold countries.
 It is very well known that fresh concrete should not be subjected to freezing
temperature.
 Fresh concrete contains considerable quantity of free water.
 The fully harden concrete is also damaged particularly to the effect of
alternate cycle of freezing and thawing.
 A freezing starts at a surface in the largest cavities and gradually extend to
smaller cavities.

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 The resistance of concrete to frost action depends on the strength of the

paste, water cement ratio, type of aggregate, age of concrete, duration and
extend to which the concrete is subjected to freezing action.
 The fine air bubbles entrained in the body of the concrete will act as a better
to relive the pressure created by freezing.

Effect of salts:

 Chemicals used for snow and Ice clearance can cause and aggravate surface
in scaling.
 The formation of salt crystals in concrete may contribute to concrete scaling
and deterioration layer by layer.
 In cold region in the winter, sodium chloride or calcium chloride is used for
de-icing snow clearance on concrete road.
 The use of air entrainment makes the concrete road more resistance to
surface scaling on account of frost action.

Moisture (moment) movement:

 The concrete member is outdoor condition such as pavement, bridge decks,

transmission poles; water tank, swimming pool etc. are subjected to
alternative wetting a drying condition, under goes expansion and shrinkage.
 The exposure of concrete to repetitive expansion and shrinkage or repetitive
stress and tensile stress which may cause fatigue in concrete and affect the
durability of concrete.

Effects of chemical action:

Sulphate attack:

 Most soil contains some sulphate in the form of calcium, sodium,

magnesium and ammonium sulphate.
 Sulphate attack is a common occurrence in natural industrial situation.
 In calcium sulpho-aluminate forming within the frame work of hydrated
cements paste.

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Methods of controlling sulphate attack:

 Use of sulphate resisting cement.

 Quality concrete.
 Use air entrainment.
 Use of pozzolona cement.
 High pressure steam curing.
 High alumina cement.

Alkali aggregate reaction:

 Hydroxyl ions in the pore water within concrete.

 Alkali silica reaction in the aggregate.
 Alkalis come from sand containing sodium.

Chlorides, admixtures, mixing of water, sea water penetration, fly ash, blast
furnace slag.

Acid attack:

 Concrete is not fully resistance to acids.

 Portland cement concrete depending upon the oxalic acid and phosphoric
acid.
 With the sulphuric acid, calcium sulphate, calcium aluminates, calcium
sulpho-aluminate which on crystallization can cause expansion and
disruption of concrete.

Concrete in sea water:

 Off-structure.
 The sea waters subjected to chloride.
 Corrosion of steel.
 Salt weathering.
 Abrasion by sand.
 Sea water contains some amount of co2.
 Calcium hydroxide and calcium sulphates soluble in sea water.
 The rate of chemicals attack is increased in temperature zone.

Carbonation:

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 Carbonation of concrete is a process by which carbon-dioxide from the air

penetrates into concrete and reacts with calcium hydroxide. To form calcium
carbonation.
 Carbonic acid which attack the concrete.
 The carbonation of concrete is one of the main reasons for corrosion of
reinforcement.

Rate of carbonation:

 Level of pore water.

 Grade of concrete.
 Permeability of concrete.
 A concrete is protector or not.
 Deep of cover.
 Protecting coat is required for long span bridge girder, fly over,
Industrial structures and chimneys.
 Depth of cover plays an important role in protecting the steel from
carbonation.

Effects of corrosion:

 Strength will reduce.

 Structures will failure.
 Eccentricity.
 Cracks, spalling of concrete.
 The cross section of reinforcement progressively reduces.
 Determination of cover.

To control the corrosion of steel reinforcement:

 Metallurgical ecological method.

 Corrosion inhibitors.
 Coating to reinforcement.
 De-rusting, Phosphating, Coating to concrete.
 Cement coating, Sealing, Fusion bond, Epoxy coating.
 Galvanized reinforcement, cathodic protection.

Metallurgical method:

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 Steel can be made more corrosion resistance by altering its structure

through metallurgical process.
 There are many situation were stainless steel reinforcement are used
for long tern durability of concrete structure.

Corrosion inhibitors:

 Corrosion can be prevented by chemical methods by using certain corrosion

inhibiting chemicals such as Nitrates, Phosphate, Benzoates, etc.,
 A most widely used admixture is based on calcium Nitrates. It is added to
the concrete during mixing of concrete.
 The steel is protected by a layer of ferric oxide on the surface of the steel.

Coating to reinforcement:

 The object of coating to steel bar is to provide a durable barrier to aggressive

material such as chlorides.
 The coating should be robust to with stand fabrication of reinforcement cage
and pouring of concrete and compaction by vibration needle.

De – rusting:

 The reinforcement is cleaned with a de-rusting solution.

 This is followed without delay by cleaning the rods with wet waste cloths
and cleaning powder.
 The rods are then rinsed in running water and air dried.

Phosphate

Phosphate is applied to the surface And in inhibitors solution is then brushed

over the phosphate surface.

Cement coating

 Slurry is made by mixing the inhibitor solution with water and cement and
applied on the bar.
 The sealing solution is brushed after the rods are air cured.
 The sealing solution as an inside curing effect.
 The second coat of slurry is then applied and the bars are air dried.

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Sealing: (solution)

Two coats of sealing solution are applied to the bars in order to seal the
micro pores of the cement coat and to make it impermeable to corrosive salt.

Epoxy coating:

 It is one of the effective method of coating the debars.

 The epoxy coating is specialized sob carrying out in a factory and not at site
of work.
 The plant are designed to coat the straight bars is a continuous process.
 The epoxy powder particles are deposited evenly on the surface of the bars.
 The epoxy coated bars have an excellent protection to corrosion in
aggressive environment.
 After treatment, cutting and bending may injure the steel.
 The coating may get damaged during vibration of concrete.

Galvanized reinforcement:

 Galvanized reinforcement consists of dipping of steel bar in molten zinc.

 The coating of zinc bonded to the surface of steel.
 The zinc surface reacts with the calcium hydroxide in the concrete to form a
passive layer and prevent corrosion.

Cathodic protection:

 Cathodic protection is one of the effective, well known and extensively used
methods for preventing of corrosion in concrete method.
 It is high case and long term monitoring required for this method.
 The catholic protection comprises of application current to an elected laid on
the concrete above steel reinforcement.

Coating to concrete: (purpose)

 Environmental pollution.
 Industrial fumes and contamination of ground.
 The reduction in depth of carbonation of the protected concrete.

Design and cover thickness and cracking:

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 The structural designer should take all precaution in designing and detailing
with respect to spacing between reinforcement.
 To facilitate vibration of concrete.
 To given proper cover to the steel reinforcement.
 To restrict the crack width etc.
 The first object is achieved the stipulated minimum strength and durability.
 The second object is making the concrete in the most economical manner.
 A permeability of concrete is governed by the quality and continuity of the
waste.
 Design of concrete mix needs not only the knowledge of material property
and properties of concrete in plastic condition.

Mix proportion:

 Water cement ration.

 Cement content.
 Cement aggregate ratio.
 Gradation of aggregate.
 Consistency.

Cover thickness:

 The nominal cover is applicable to all steel reinforcement including links.

 The longitudinal reinforcement bars in a column, nominal cover in any case
not less than 40mm or less than the diameter of bar.
 In the column of min dimension of 200mm, whose reinforcing bar do not
exceed 12mm, a nominal cover of 25mm may be used.
 The nominal concrete cover in mm not less than mild steel 20mm, moderate
steel 30mm, severe steel 45mm, very sever 50m, extreme 75mm.

Errors in construction:

 Poor workman ship. Vibrator is not applicable.

 Laying and patching, curing. Poor formwork.
 Delay processing work Mix proportion (ratio)
 Improper mix design of concrete.

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