• Abrams law - Water/Cement Ratio

• Permissible limits for solids

• IS 10262 and IS 456
• The principal considerations on the quality of mixing water are
related to performance in fresh as well as harden state. The quality of
the water plays an important role in the preparation of concrete.
Impurities in water may interfere with the setting of the cement and
may adversely affect the strength and durability of the concrete also.

• The chemical constituents present in water may actively participate

in the chemical reactions and thus affect the setting, hardening and
strength development of concrete.

• In addition to that, health issues related to the safe handling of such

water must be considered. The suitability of water can be identified
from past service records or tested to performance limits such as
setting times and compressive strength and durability test. Limits are
specified for mixing water with their constituents such as total alkalis,
chloride sulfate etc.
• The quantity of water in the mix plays a vital role on the
strength of the concrete. Some water which have adverse
effect on hardened concrete.
• Sometimes may not be harmless or even beneficial during
mixing. So clear distinction should be made between the
effect on hardened concrete and the quality of mixing
water.
 Function of Water in Concrete:

•To wet the surface of aggregates to develop adhesion

because the cement pastes adheres quickly and satisfactory
to the wet surface of the aggregates than to a dry surface.

•To prepare a plastic mixture of the various ingredients and to

impart workability to concrete to facilitate placing in the
desired position.

•Water is also needed for the hydration of the cementing

materials to set and harden during the period of curing.
 Binder = Cement + Water
Cement consists of Mainly
❖Lime 75 to 77%
❖Silica and Alumina 12 to 15%
❖Iron Oxide 0.5 to 6%

Water consists of
Hydrogen and Oxygen (i.e. H2O)
 Requirements of water used in concrete

• Water used for mixing and curing shall be clean and free from
injurious amounts of Oils, Acids, Alkalis, Salts, Sugar, Organic
materials

• Potable water is generally considered satisfactory for mixing

concrete

• Mixing and curing with sea water shall not be permitted.

• The pH value shall not be less than 6

 Requirements of water used in concrete
The permissible limits for solids in water

Solids Permissible Limits (Max)

Organic 200 mg/lit
Inorganic 3000 mg/lit
Sulphates (SO4) 500 mg/lit
Chlorides (Cl) 500 mg/lit (RCC)
Suspended matter 2000 mg/lit
Hydration
Concrete achieves its strength through a chemical
process called Hydration.

Hydration is a complex process but in simple terms,

is the reaction between water and the cement in
the mix.
Hydration

Stage I HYDROLYSIS of the cement compounds occurs rapidly with a temperature increase
of several degrees
Stage II is known as the DORMANCY PERIOD. The evolution of heat slows dramatically in
this stage. This can last from one to three hours. here concrete is in a plastic state which
allows it to transport and place without major difficulty. At the end of this stage initial
setting begins
In stages III and IV, the concrete starts to HARDEN and the heat evolution increases due
primarily to the hydration of tricalcium silicate
Stage V is reached after 36 hours. The slow formation of hydrate products occurs and
continues as long as water and unhydrated silicates are present.
9
Water/Cement Ratio and Strength

The most important indicator of strength

Lower w/c ratio is, the higher the final concrete strength

Concept was developed by Duff Abrams of The PCA in the early 1920's

Role of Water in Cement Concrete 10

The graph showing the relation between
the strength and w/c ratio of the concrete
is approximately hyperbolic in shape.

The graph says , lower w/c ratio is used

when the concrete is vibrated for
compaction and higher w/c ratio is
required when concrete is hand
compacted.
Water/Cement Ratio and Strength
Water/Cement Ratio and Strength

A minimum w/c ratio of about 0.25 by weight is necessary to ensure

that the water comes into contact with all cement particles (for complete
hydration)
Typical values are 0.25 to 0.6
Duff Abrams is the developer of a formula that is called as Abrams law. It states that for
a specified set of concreting materials, the strength of the concrete is exclusively based
on the relative quantity of water relative to the cement. Alternatively stated, the strength
refers to a function of the water to cement ratio (w/c) where w denotes the mass of water
and c denotes the mass of cement.

X – water-cement ratio by volume for 28 day strength

Water/Cement Ratio and Strength
(w/c) Ratio 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80
Probable Strength(%) 100 87 70 55 44

Factors Low w/c ratio High w/c ratio

Strength High Low
Permeability Low High
Shrinkage Low High
 Adding extra water to concrete!!!
• Adding more water creates a diluted paste that is weaker and
more susceptible to cracking and shrinkage

• Shrinkage leads to micro-cracks (zones of weakness)

• Once the fresh concrete is placed, excess water is squeezed out of

paste by weight of aggregate and cement

• The excess water bleeds out onto the surface.

• The micro channels and passages that were created inside the
concrete to allow that water to flow become weak zones
IS 456 Design Guidelines for RCC
Following are the tests required for quality of water for
construction purpose:
1. pH value test

2. Limits of acidity test

3. Limits of alkalinity test

4. Percentage of solids
a)Chlorides
b) Suspended matter
c) Sulphates
Recommended Limits of construction water tests:
Water used for mixing and curing shall be clean and free from injurious
quantities of alkalies, acids, oils , salts, sugar, organic materials, vegetable
growth or other substance that may be deleterious to bricks, stone, concrete or
steel. Potable water is generally considered satisfactory for mixing.

The pH value of water shall not be less than the following concentrations
represent the maximum permissible values (of deleterious materials in water)

a) Limits of acidity: To neutralize 100ml sample of water, using

phenolphthalein as an indicator, it should not require more than 5ml of 0.02
normal NaOH. The details of test shall be as given in IS 3025 (Para 22).

b) Limits of alkalinity: To neutralize 100ml sample of water, using mixed

indicator, it should not require more than 25ml of 0.02 normal H2SO4. The
details of tests shall be as given in IS 3025 (Para 23).
The physical and chemical properties of ground water shall be tested along with
soil investigation and if the water is not found conforming to the requirements
of IS 456 – 2000, the tender documents shall clearly specify that the contractor
has to arrange good quality water construction indicating the source.

(i) Water found satisfactory for mixing is also suitable for curing. However,
water used for curing shall not produce any objectionable stain or unsightly
deposit on the surface.

(ii) Sea water shall not be used for mixing or curing.

(iii) Water from each source shall be tested before the commencement of the
work and thereafter once in every three months till the completion of the work.
In case of ground water, testing shall also be done for different point of
drawdown. Water from each source shall be got tested during the dry season
before monsoon and again after monsoon.