Basic knowledge

of Concrete

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 Concrete is a mixture of :-

i.e. Heterogeneous
material

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 1. CEMENT
Acts as a binder which binds the aggregates
together in certain shape & also is responsible
partially for strength.

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 Composition of Cement

Cement is a mixture of

Calcareous Argillaceous
Material Material

Limestone or Chalk Shale or Clay

Taken from a book named: CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY –THEORY & PRACTISE by M.S.Shetty & S.Chand
REACTION OF CEMENT WITH WATER
By the process of hydration (reaction with water), Portland cement mixed with sand,
gravel & water produces the synthetic rock we call concrete.

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 Reaction of Cement with Water
Hydration of cement:-
Cement + Water C-S-H + Ca(OH)2
• Fullform-Calcium Silicate Hydrate;
• Most important product;
• Resposible for strength of concrete;
• Morphology- poorly crystalline fibrous
mass;
• It constitutes 50-60% of the volume of
solids in the hydrated paste
Taken from a book named: CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY –THEORY & PRACTISE by M.S.Shetty & S.Chand
• Ca(OH)2 = Calcium Hydroxide;
• Most undesirable product;
• Responsible for lack of durability of
concrete;
• Morphology- Distinctive hexagonal prism;
• It constitutes 20-25% of the volume of
solids in the hydrated paste
 Transition Zone
 When seen on microscopic level, we observe the third
phase of concrete called Transition Zone.
 Transition Zone represents the interfacial region between
the particles of coarse aggregate & hardened cement
paste.
 Transition Zone can be called as plane of weakness due
to following reasons:-
1. Due to internal bleeding, water accumulate below
elongated, flaky & large pieces of aggregates hence
paste formed in this zone is of poorer quality which
reduces bond between paste & aggregate.
2. Due to drying shrinkage or temperature variation, the
transition zone develops microcracks even before a
structure is loaded, hence under a larger stress these
cracks propogate & form bigger cracks which makes
the transition zone as a strength limiting phase in
concrete. 7
Taken from a book named: CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY –THEORY & PRACTISE by M.S.Shetty & S.Chand
Image from: Concrete microstructure,Properties & materials by P. Kumar Mehta & Paulo J.M. Monteiro
 2. AGGREGATE

Give body to the concrete, reduce shrinkage &

affect economy.

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 Aggregates occupy 70 to 80% of the volume of concrete.
 Aggregates can be divided into:-
1. Coarse Aggregate (size > 4.75 mm)
2. Fine Aggregate (size < 4.75 mm)
 One of the most important factors for producing workable concrete is
good gradation of aggregates.
 Good gradation of aggregate produces concrete containing minimum
voids which thus requires minimum paste to fill up the voids in the
aggregates.
 Minimum paste will mean less quantity of cement & water & will
result in economy, higher strength, lower shrinkage.
 Paste is weaker & comparatively more permeable than aggregate.

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 3. ADMIXTURE

Modifies properties of Ordinary Concrete as per

requirement

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 Admixture is used to modify the properties of ordinary concrete so as
to make it more suitable for any situation.
 The effectiveness of an admixture depends upon factors such as type,
brand, and amount of cementing materials; water content; aggregate
shape, gradation, and proportions; mixing time; slump; and
temperature of the concrete.
 The major reasons for using admixtures are:
1. To reduce the cost of concrete construction.
2. To achieve certain properties in concrete more effectively than by
other means.
3. To maintain the quality of concrete during the stages of mixing,
transporting, placing, and curing in adverse weather conditions.
4. To overcome certain emergencies during concreting operations.
 Any variation in amount of admixture used can result in unpredictable
nature of concrete & undesirable strength. 11
 4. WATER

Actively participates in chemical reaction with

cement

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 The best way to check suitability of water for concreting is checking 7
days & 28 days compressive strength of concrete having this water
against that of cubes made by using distilled water. If strength comes
atleast 90% of that for distilled water concrete cube, it is acceptable.
 The 23% of water by weight of cement is required for reaction with
Portland Cement compounds.
 15% of water by weight of cement is required to fill up the gel-pores.
 Hence total 38% water by weight of cement is required.
 Less use of water than required causes incomplete paste formation due
to lack of water for hydration process to take place for all available
cement.
 More use of water increases workability, but at the same time, it
reduces strength.

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 Concrete Mix Design
Concrete Mix Design is the technique of CHOOSING the most
ECONOMIC proportions of AVAILABLE materials (Cement, Water,
Fine Aggregates, Coarse Aggregate & if required Admixtures) to obtain a
COHESIVE concrete of the required WORKABILITY the specified
Strength & the desired DURABILITY.

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The End

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