CONSTRUCTION & GRAPHICS

CONCRETE:
Concrete is a construction material composed of cement, fine aggregates (sand) and coarse
aggregates mixed with water which hardens with time. Portland cement is the commonly used
type of cement for production of concrete and sometimes admixtures in required proportions

.  Following are the major steps

which involved in concreting process:

STAGES OF MANUFACTURING OF CONCRETE:

`BATCHING:
The process of measuring different concrete materials such as cement, coarse aggregate, sand,
water for the making of concrete is known as batching. Batching can be done in two different
ways.

1. Volume Batching
2. Weight Batching.

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Volume Batching

 Volume batching is not a good method for measuring concrete materials.

 It is not applicable in case of reinforced concrete structure.
 This method of concrete batching may not be economical.
 It can be only used for unimportant concrete or for small concrete works.

Weight Batching

Weigh batching is the correct and preferred method of measuring concrete ingredients which
leads to more uniform proportioning. Weigh batching system facilitates simplicity, flexibility
and accuracy. Different types of weigh batchers available in the market and it depends upon the
type of job.

MIXING:
In this process, all the materials are thoroughly mixed in required proportions until the paste
shows uniform color and consistency. Hand mixing and machine mixing are the two different
methods of mixing, but mixing by machine gives good quality concrete, and different types of
mixers are given below,

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 Tilting drum mixers

 Non-tilting drum mixers
 Reversing drum mixers
 Pan type concrete mixers
 Continuous concrete mixers

Tilting drum mixers:

Tilting drum mixer means the drum will discharge concrete by tilting downwards. It is rapid
discharge process and used for larger projects. Rapid means it delivers concrete by gravity that is
tilting the drum downwards because of this the concrete mix obtained will be not subjected to

segregation.

Non-Tilting drum mixers:

Non- tilting drum mixers are not allowed to tilt and the drum rotates about its horizontal
axis. For the discharge of concrete a chute is arranged in inclined position which will
receives the concrete mix from drum and discharges out.

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Reversing drum mixers:

Reversing drum mixers are similar to non-tilting type mixers but in this case reversal of
rotation takes place for different action.The drum has two openings, one end is for
pouring materials and other end is for discharge of mix. The drum rotates about its
horizontal axis. The rotation of drum takes place in one direction for mixing and in
opposite direction for discharging.

Pan type mixers:

Pan type mixers consists a circular pan in which concrete is mixed. The mixing is done by blades
which are arranged in star shape inside the pan. There are two types of pan mixers are available.
In one case, the circular pan is constant and only star blades rotate about vertical axis of pan. In
the other case, circular pan rotates while the blades are at static position.

Continous concrete mixers:

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Continuous mixer, the name itself telling its duty that the loading, mixing and discharging of mix
is continuously done until the work is complete or work break occurs. The loading of materials is
done continuously by screw feeders.

TRANSPORTATION:
When the mixing is done properly the freshly made concrete is then transported to the
construction site, this process is known as transportation. After that, the concrete is correctly
placed on the formworks. Concrete can be transported to the site location in two ways

 Manual Transportation.
 Mechanical Transportation.

COMPACTION:
Compaction is the process in which the air bubbles are eliminated from the freshly placed
concrete. It is required to increase the ultimate strength of concrete by enhancing the bond with

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reinforcement.

CURING
Curing is the process in which the concrete keeps its moisture for a certain time period to
complete the hydration process . Curing should be done properly to increase the strength of
concrete.

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