Different types of concrete used in construction

1.ordinary Portland cement

2.rapid hardening Portland cement- rapid early strength

3.blast furnace or sulfate cement-resist chemical attack

4.low heat Portland cement- designed to reduce the heat of hydration.

5.portland pozzoland cement -low hardening characteristic concrete.

6.high alumina cement-sometimes called aluminous cement or cement fundu

-alumina oxide content 32% by weight.

MAIN COMPOSITION OF CEMENT

Lime (65%) Silica Alumina(25%), Iron oxide(5%), Magnesia(5%), Sulfur trioxide(5%)

AGGREGATES

Coarse aggregates-particle retained on a 5mm sieve.

Fine aggregates- particle passing on a 5mm sieve.

Maximum size of coarse aggregates should not exceed 25% of min. thickness of the structure.

THE PRINCIPLES OF CONCRETE MIXING

1.workability

2.strenght

3.durability

4.economy

CONCRETE MIXTURE MAYBE CLASSIFIED AS

1.designed mixture-the contractor is responsible in establishing the mixture

2.prescribed mixture-where the engineer specifies the mixture portion.

UNIT OF MEASURE

The traditional wooden box used to measure the sand and gravel is 12 in wide by 12 in long and 12 in
high.

SEVERAL FACTOR THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF THE ESTIMATE

1. inaccurate volume delivered aggregates

2. dumping of aggregates on uneven ground surface
3. improper measuring the aggregates during the mixing operation.
4. The cement and fine aggregates for grouting concrete joints are overlooked
5. Cement waste due to reckless handling and hauling.
6. Pure cement powder used by mason is not considered in estimating
7. Pilferage of materials

ORDERING OF COARSE AGGREGATES MUST BE SPECIFIED AS:

1. Kind of gravel
2. Minimum or maximum size of the stone must be specified
3. Natural gravel from the Greek requires screening to obtain well graded coarse aggregates.