CHAPTER 3

PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
After the completion of the chapter, the
students will learn
• Different grades of concrete (ordinary
concrete, standard concrete & high strength
concrete as per provisions of IS 456- 2000
• Minimum grade of concrete for different
exposure conditions
• Minimum grade of concrete for R.C.C.
• Durability of concrete
• Definition of water-cement ratio and its
significance
• Selection of w/c ratio for different grades of
concrete prepared from different grades of
OPC as per graphs specified in IS 10262 -1982

• Maximum w/c ratio for different grades of

concrete for different exposure conditions.
• Properties of fresh concrete
• Definition of workability and factors affecting
workability of concrete
• Determination of workability of concrete by
slump cone test
• Range values of workability requirement for
different types of concrete works
• Concept of cohesiveness, segregation,
harshness and Bleeding
Properties of hardened concrete
• Strength
• Durability
• Impermeability
• Dimensional Changes
• Acid attack
• Fire resistance
• Efflorescence
Group Grade Designation Specified characteristic compressive
strength of 150 mm concrete cube
at 28 days in N/mm2

Ordinary concrete M 10 10
M 15 15
M 20 20
Standard concrete M 25 25
M 30 30
M 35 35
M 40 40
M 45 45
M 50 50
M 55 55
M 60 60
High Strength Concrete M 65 65
M 70 70
M 75 75
M 80 80
M 85 85
M 90 90
M 95 95
M 100 100
• M10 GRADE
• The mix ratio is 1:3:6 (1 Cement, 3 Sand and 6
Aggregate)
• It is used as PCC (Plain Cement Concrete).

• Application/use: – It can be used in the

construction of Levelling course, bedding for
footing, concrete roads, etc.
• M15 GRADE
• The mix ratio is 1:2:4 (1 Cement, 2 Sand and 4
Aggregate)
• It is used as PCC (Plain Cement Concrete)
• Application/use: – It can be used in the
construction of Levelling course, bedding for
footing, concrete roads, etc.
• .
• M20 GRADE
• The mix ratio is 1:1.5:3 (1 Cement, 1.5 Sand and 3
Aggregate)
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

• Application/use: – It can be used in the

construction of Slabs, beams, columns, footings,
etc. (For mild exposure)
•
• Use of Standard grade of concrete

• M25 GRADE
• The mix ratio is 1:1:2 (1 Cement, 1 Sand and 2
Aggregate)
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement
Concrete)
• Application/use: – It can be used in the
construction of Slabs, beams, columns,
footings, etc.
• Use of Standard grade of concrete
• M30 GRADE
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement
Concrete)
• Application/use: – It can be used in the
construction of Slabs, beams, columns,
footings, etc.
• M-30 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009
• Use of Standard grade of concrete

• M35 GRADE
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement
Concrete)
• Application/use: – It can be used in the
construction of Slabs, beams, columns,
footings, etc.
• M-35 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009
• M40 GRADE
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement
Concrete)
• Application/use: – Pre-stressed concrete,
slabs, beams, columns, footings, etc. GRADE-
M45 RCC e.g. Runways, Concrete Roads (PQC),
Pressurized Concrete Girders, RCC Columns,
pressurized beams
• M-40 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009
•
•
M 50 Grade
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete).
• Application/use: – Runways, Concrete Roads
(PQC), Pressurized Concrete Girders, RCC
Columns, pressurized beams
• M-50 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009
•

•
• GRADE- M55
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement
Concrete)
• Application/use: – Pressurized Concrete
Girders and Pier
• M60 GRADE & M80 GRADE
• It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)
• Application/use:-
• 1- It can be used RCC work where high compressive
strength is required such as high rise buildings, long
span bridges, ultra-thin white topping etc.
• 2- Constructions in aggressive environment.
• 3- Spillways of dams, coastal construction of a passage
for surplus water from a dam.
• Minimum grade of concrete for R.C.C.
• As per IS : 456-2000, minimum grade of concrete is M
20 for R.C.C. works.
•
• Durability of concrete
• Durability is the property of concrete by virtue of
which it is capable of resisting the disintegration
and decay.

• The concrete should be durable with proper

regard to the various weathering condition such
as action of atmospheric gases, moisture changes
and temperature variation.
• Factors Affecting Durability :
• The factors affecting the durability can be
internal or external causes:
• Attack by natural or industrial liquids or gases.
• Cover to reinforcement.
• Environmental exposure conditions.
• Factors Affecting Durability :
• Permeability of concrete.
• Alkali-aggregate reaction.
• Poor workmanship in compaction .
• Volume changes due to difference in thermal
properties of the aggregates and cement
paste
• Durability of Concrete can be Increased by
using:

• Sound cement.
• Careful placing
• Through and uniform compaction
• Lesser water-cement ratio
• Longer periods of curing
• Careful batching and mixing
• Use of crushed stone and durable aggregates.
• Properties of concrete

1. Plastic Stage (Green Stage)

Good workability.
• Freedom from segregation.
• Freedom from bleeding .
• Prevention from Harshness .
• 2. Hardened Stage
• Strength
• Durability
• Impermeability
• Dimensional Changes
• Acid attack
• Fire resistance
• Efflorescence
• Properties of fresh concrete
• Properties of concrete in plastic (green) stage
• 1. Workability
• The work ability is defined as the ease with
which concrete may be mixed, handled,
transported, placed in position and
compacted.
• A workable concrete does not show any
Bleeding or segregation.
• Factors affecting workability of
concrete.
• 1. Water Content:
• Water content mix plays a significant
role in workability.
• With increase in water content, the
workability of mix also increases.
• But excess of Water in a mix results
in low compressive strength and
lesser durability.
• Factors affecting workability of
concrete.
• 2. Size of Aggregates:
• For the same volume of aggregate in
concrete, the use of coarse aggregate of
larger size gives higher workability.
• Therefore, lesser quantity of water used
in large size particles reduce the quantity
of cement for given W/C ratio and is
considered as economical.
•
• 3. Shape of Aggregates:
• Shape of aggregates plays a vital role in
workability of concrete.
• Round and smooth aggregates gives
higher workability whereas angular and
rough surface aggregates have lesser
workability.
• 4. Temperature:

• The workability of a concrete mix is

affected with change in temperature.
• On a hot day, it becomes necessary
to increase the water content of mix
in order to maintain the desired
workability.
•
• 5. Effect of Time:
• The freshly prepared concrete mix loses
workability with time mainly because of the
loss of moisture due to evaporation.
• 6. Grading of Aggregates:
• Generally the mixes with higher w/c
ratio would require somewhat finer
grading and mixes with low W/C
ratio a coarser grading of aggregates
is preferable.
•
• 7. Admixtures:

• Certain admixtures are added in concrete

mix to increase the workability such as
air entraining agents which produce air
bubbles.
2. Freedom From Segregation

Segregation is defined as separation of the

ingredients of a concrete mix.

Only a stable homogeneous mix can be fully

compacted.

After segregation concrete mix is no longer in a

homogeneous state. Segregation reduces the
strength and durability of concrete.
• Causes of Segregation

• Handling and placing operations

are not performed properly.
• The water is too much in the mix.
• Aggregates are poorly graded.
• The mortar (fine particles) gets
•
separated (or leaked).
•

•
• Causes of Segregation

• The concrete mix is subjected to shocks

e.g., when transportation is to be done at
far distances by trucks, pumps or
discharge of mix from a height greater
than 1 m.

• Concreting is done under water.

•

•
• Minimization of Segregation
• Segregation depends upon handling and
placing operations.
.
• The tendency to segregate increases with
increased slump. Prevention of segregation in
concrete mix can be done by following ways.
• Minimization of Segregation
• By strictly supervising all the concrete
operations.

• Restricting the height of pour.

• By properly designing amount of water to

be used for mixing.
•
• Minimization of Segregation

• By not using vibrators for spreading a heap of

concrete into level mass over a large area.

• Segregation of coarse particles in a lean dry

mix may be corrected by the addition of a
small quantity of water which improves
cohesion of mix.
• Minimization of Segregation

• By reducing continued vibration over a longer

time, as the coarse particles tends to settle at
the bottom.

• Adding air entraining agents because these

reduces the quantity of water to be used for
mixing.
• 3. Freedom from Bleeding
• The process of rise of water along with cement
particles to the surface of freshly laid concrete is
known as bleeding.

• Bleeding is a un desirable property of concrete.

• The water in the mix to the surface because of

the inability of solid particles to hold all the
mixing water during the setting of particles under
the effect of compaction.
•
• 3. Freedom from Bleeding

• This happens when there is excessive quantity

of water on the mix or when there is excessive
compaction.
• Cause of Bleeding:
• When excess water is present in the concrete.

• When fine aggregates are deficient in the

concrete mix.

• When over compacting of the surface is done.

• 4 Prevention from Harshness

• The concrete mix which does not give

smooth surface is known as harsh mix.
Cause of Harshness:
• The cement mortar not sufficient to fill
voids in the coarse aggregate.

• The presence of excessive proportion of

one particle size in can affect aggregate .
• 4 Prevention from Harshness

• Harshness can be prevented if there is

sufficient proportion of mortar to fill the voids
coarse aggregate.
• WORKABILITY TEST OF CONCRETE
• Workability of concrete is defined as the ease
and homogeneity with which a freshly mixed
concrete or mortar can be mixed, placed,
compacted and finished.

• Strictly, it is the amount of useful internal

work necessary to produce 100% compaction.
• A slump test is a method used to
determine the consistency of concrete.
• The consistency, or stiffness, indicates
how much water has been used in the
mix.
• The stiffness of the concrete mix should
be matched to the requirements for the
finished product quality
• Slump is a measurement of concrete’s
workability, or fluidity.
• It’s an indirect measurement of
concrete consistency or stiffness.
• Principle The slump test result is a
measure of the behavior of a
compacted inverted cone of concrete
under the action of gravity. It
measures the consistency or the
wetness of concrete.
Apparatus
Slump cone : inverted cone,
300 mm (12 in) of height.
The base is 200 mm (8in) in diameter and it
has a smaller opening at the top of 100 mm

Scale for measurement,

Temping rod(steel) 16mm diameter, 60cm

length.
• Procedure
• The base is placed on a smooth surface and
the container is filled with concrete in three
layers, whose workability is to be tested .
• Each layer is temped 25 times with a standard
16 mm (5/8 in) diameter steel rod, rounded at
the end.
• After the top layer has been tamped, the
concrete is struck off level with trowel and
tamping rod.
•
• Then, the mould is removed by lifting it slowly
and carefully in a vertical direction. This allows
the concrete to subside. This subsidence is
referred as slump of concrete.

• The difference in level between the height of

the mould and that of the highest point of the
subsided concrete is measured. This difference
in height in mm is taken as slump of concrete.
• Properties of hardened concrete
• 1. Strength
• The ability of concrete to resist load is called
strength the strength of concrete mainly
depends upon w/c, quality and quantity of
cement, degree of compaction and other
concrete operations.
• Stronger concrete are durable and
impermeable.
• Properties of hardened concrete

• The strength of concrete may be:

• Compressive strength
• Tensile strength
• Bond strength
• Shear strength
• TENSILE STRENGTH (FLEXURAL STRENGTH):
The concrete has low tensile strength. The
concrete is weak in tension. Its tensile strength
is 8 to 12% of its compressive strength of
concrete in bending.
The strength of concrete in bending is also
termed as flexural strength. The flexural strength
is measured by the term modulus of rupture
which is maximum tensile or compressive stress
at rupture.
• Bond strength:
The concrete offers a resistance force to the
reinforcement against slipping.

The resistance offered by the concrete is called

bond strength.

On the average the bond strength is taken as

10% of compressive strength.
• Shear Strength:

The shearing strength of concrete is created

when two equal and opposite forces separated
by a certain distance apart. It is 10 to 12% of
compressive strength.
• Definition of compressive strength
• Compressive strength is the resistance of
concrete to crushing.
• Cubes of 15 cm size are generally used to
determine the compressive strength of
concrete.
• The concrete is very strong in
compression
• Definition of compressive strength
• Compressive strength is the resistance of concrete to
crushing.
• Cubes of 15 cm size are generally used to determine
the compressive strength of concrete.
• The concrete is very strong in compression and resists
very high compressive strength.
• The compressive strength is measured in N/mm2.
• As per IS. : 456-2000, the minimum grade of concrete
to be used for building construction is M-20.
• The compressive strength of concrete is measured in
the universal testing machine (U.T.M.).
•
• Impermeability
• Impermeability is the resistance of concrete to
the flow of water into the pore-spaces in it.
Impermeability of concrete should be high.
• Impermeability in concrete can be achieved
by:
• Proper curing
• Using concretes with low w/c ratio.
• Proper and uniform compaction
• Selecting well graded aggregates (having
minimum voids).
• ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
• The resistance of concrete to deformation is
termed as elasticity. The modulus of elasticity
of concrete depends on the modulus of
elasticity of the ingredient. Modulus of
elasticity can be improved by using
• a) Low w/c ratio
• b) Rich concretes
• c) Proper and longer curing periods
• CREEP OF CONCRETE
• Deformation of concrete structure under
sustained load is defined as concrete creep.
• Long term pressure or stress on concrete can
make it change shape.
• The deformation usually occures in the
direction the force is applied.
• Creep is also known as time yield or plastic
flow.
 Factors affecting creep
• Creep is a long term process and hence takes
time. The rate of creep decreases with
increase in time.

• Aggregates : Creep is more as the size of

aggregates become finer but creep increases
when the aggregates are porous in nature.
• FACTORS AFFECTING CREEP

• Strength : More is the strength of concrete,

lesser will be effect of creep.

• Curing time: Due to increase in curing time

the hydration of cement proceeds then the
chances of creep decreases.
• SHRINKAGE
• Shrinkage
• Due to hydration of cement concrete expands
slightly during setting and on drying the concrete
shrinks which is called drying shrinkage. The
extent of shrinkage depends upon porosity of
formworks and efficiency of curing arrangement.

• The term shrinkage is loosely used to describe

the various aspects of volume changes in
concrete due to loss of moisture at different
stages due to different reasons.
• Shrinkage can be classified in the following way
• . Plastic Shrinkage
• Drying Shrinkage.
• Autogeneous Shrinkage.
• Carbonation Shrinkage
• Plastic Shrinkage:
• Shrinkage of this type manifests itself soon
after the concrete is placed in the forms while
the concrete is still in the plastic state.

• Loss of water by evaporation from the surface

of concrete or by the absorption by aggregate
or subgrade is believed to be the reasons for
plastic shrinkage.
• The loss of water results in the reduction of
volume. The aggregate particles or the
reinforcement comes in the way of subsidence
due to which cracks may appear at the surface
or internally around the aggregate or
reinforcement.
• .
• In case of floors and pavements where the
surface area exposed to drying is large as
compared to depth, when this large surface is
exposed to hot sun and drying wind, the surface
of concrete dries very fast which results in plastic
shrinkage.
• Sometimes even if the concrete is not subjected
to severe drying, but poorly made with a high
water/cement ratio, large quantity of water
bleeds and accumulates at the surface. When this
water at the surface dries out, the surface
concrete collapses causing cracks.
• .
• .
• Plastic shrinkage can be reduced mainly by
preventing the rapid loss of water from surface.
This can be done by covering the surface with
polyethylene sheeting immediately on finishing
operation; by monomolecular coatings by fog
spray that keeps the surface moist; or by working
at night.
• An effective method of removing plastic
shrinkage cracks is to revibrate the concrete in a
controlled manner. Use of small quantity of
aluminium powder is also suggested to offset the
effect of plastic shrinkage.
• Drying Shrinkage:
• Just as the hydration of cement is an everlasting
process, the drying shrinkage is also an
everlasting process when concrete is subjected to
drying conditions, The loss of free water
contained in hardened concrete, does not result
in any appreciable dimension change.
• It is the loss of water held in gel pores that causes
the change in the volume. Under drying
conditions, the gel water is lost progressively over
a long time, as long as the concrete is kept in
drying conditions.
• .
• . Cement paste shrinks more than mortar and
mortar shrinks more than concrete. Concrete
made with smaller size aggregate shrinks
more than concrete made with bigger size
aggregate. The magnitude of drying shrinkage
is also a function of the fineness of gel. The
finer the gel the more is the shrink .
• The high pressure steam cured concrete with
low specific surface of gel, shrinks much less
than that of normally cured cement gel.
• Autogeneous Shrinkage: In a conservative
system i.e. where no moisture movement to
or from the paste is permitted, when
temperature is constant some shrinkage may
occur.
• The shrinkage of such a conservative system
is known as a autogeneous shrinkage,
•
• Autogeneous shrinkage is of minor
importance and is not applicable in practice to
many situations except that of mass of
concrete in the interior of a concrete dam
• Carbonation Shrinkage:
• Carbonation shrinkage is a phenomenon very
recently recognised. Carbon dioxide present in
the atmosphere reacts in the presence of water
with hydrated cement.
• Calcium hydroxide [Ca (OH)2] gets converted to
calcium carbonate and some other cement
compounds are decomposed. Such a complete
decomposition of calcium compound in hydrated
cement is chemically possible even at the low
pressure of carbon dioxide in normal
atmosphere. Carbonation penetrates beyond the
exposed surface of concrete only very slowly.
•
• .
• Factors Affecting Shrinkage:
• One of the most important factors that affects
shrinkage, is the drying condition or in other words,
the relative humidity of the atmosphere at which the
concrete specimen is kept.
• If the concrete is placed in 100 per cent relative
humidity for any length of time, there will not be any
shrinkage, instead there will be a slight swelling.
• The rate of shrinkage decreases rapidly with time. It is
observed that 14 to 34 per cent of the 20 year
shrinkage occurs in 2 weeks, 40 to 80 per cent of the 20
year shrinkage occur in 3 months and 66 to 85 per cent
of the 20 year shrinkage occurs in one year.

.
• Factors Affecting Shrinkage:

• Another important factor which influences the

magnitude of shrinkage is water/cement ratio
of the concrete.
• The the richness of the concrete also has a
significant influence on shrinkage.

.
END