CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS CONCRETE:
• Concrete is is building material that looks like stone. The word concrete is derived
from latin concretus means to grow together.
Definition- Concrete is composite material composed of course granular material aggregate
filler embedded in a hard matrix of material the cement or binder that fills the space among
the aggregate particles and close them together.
Or
Concrete is a composite material made with cement aggregate admixture and water quantity
the largest of all man-made material.

ADVANTAGES OF CEMENT CONCRETE:

1. Concrete is very strong it is considered as artificial stone.
2. Concrete causes high compressive strength and the corrosive and weathering affect our
minimum when properly prepared its strength is equal to the hard natural stone.
3. The strength of concrete can be varied by using different grades of concrete.
4. Concrete can be used for structures carrying all types of stresses suitable for reinforcing it.
5. The ingredients required for each manufacturer easily available.
6. The green or newly mix concrete can be easily handled and modelled or formed into
Virtually any shape or size according to the specifications.
7. The formwork can we reuse a number of time for similar jobs resulting in economy.
8. Concrete mix can be transported safely from the place of mixing to the place of casting
much paper the initial setting takes place.
9. Freshly mixed concrete can be easily pumped spread and field into the cracks and cavities
for repairing the existing structure.
10. Monolithic character of concrete gives greater rigidity.
11. Concrete is quite durable is cast and cure drop properly.
12. It maintenance is negligible hence it is economical in longer Run.
13. It develop the desired properties with usage of admixtures and chemical compound.
14. The properties can also be controlled to some extent by mechanical physical and chemical
processing technique.
15. It crosses adequate plasticity for workability and construction field.
16. The use of cement concrete is becoming more and more popular in construction of civil
engineering structural strength and durability are prime importance.

DISADVANTAGES OF CEMENT CONCRETE:

1. Concrete is most inexpensive and more readily available material in the world. The
cost of production of concrete is low when compared to engineered construction
material.
2. It can be given various finishes, which is not possible with any other building
material.
3. It is free from defects and flaws generally present in other materials like Timber,
bricks, wood etc..
4. So compared with steel the energy consumption of concrete production is low.

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5. It can be molded easily for any shape and size considerable labour cost of fresh
concrete is flowable like liquid hand can be poured into various form words to form
different desired shapes and sizes write on construction site full stop and concrete can
be cast into many different configuration.
6. Unlike OT and steel concrete can be hardened in water at can withstand the action of water
without seriously tour reaction which makes concrete an ideal material for building structures
to control, store and transport water, such as pipelines, dams, and submarine structures.

7. Concrete conducts heat slowly and is able to store considerable quantities of heat
from the environment. Concrete can withstand high temperature much better than
wood and steel. Even in fire a concrete structure can withstand heat for two to six
hours leaving sufficient time for people to be rescued because of this concrete is is
used as protective layer for a steel structure.
8. It is very suitable for construction of high rise buildings as compared to conventional
building material like stone or brick.
9. Under normal conditions, concrete structures do not need coating or painting as
protection for weathering, wild forest IL Orange structure it is necessary.
10. Plain cement concrete, reinforced cement concrete, prestressed cement concrete are
replacing other construction material due to better appearance, high crushing strength,
and durability, imperviousness, quick and less maintenance cost.
11. Advancement in use of admixtures, it is possible to make concrete required strength
and durability which is not possible in any other material.
12. Another reason for the popularity of concrete with engineers is large amount of
money industry is can be resized called as a substitute for the cementious material or
aggregate in the concrete.
13. The use of high strength concrete has become more common practice in many
applications throughout the world for many decades especially for high rise buildings,
long span bridges and repair and Rehabilitation works.

QUESTIONS:
1. Define concrete.
2. What are the advantages of concrete?
3. What are the uses of concrete in comparison to other building material?

INGREDIENTS USED IN CONCRETE:

• Cement
• Coarse aggregates
• Fine aggregates
• Water
• Admixtures

CEMENT:
Cement is defined as the product manufactured by burning and crushing to powder and intimate and
well proportioned mixture calcareous and Argillaceous materials.
Different types of cement:
1. Ordinary Portland cement
2. Low heat cement
3. Rapid hardening cement
4. High Alumina cement

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5. White cement
6. Blast furnace slag cement
7. Sulphur resisting cement

• Characteristics of cement:
The ordinary Portland cement is also called as normal setting cement is most commonly used full
form of it should be tested before it is actually use a good cement should satisfy all the IS provisions.
• Functions of cement:
1. It imparts strength after setting and hardening.
2. It binds the aggregates into solid mass by virtue of its setting and hardening proportion when
mixed with water.
3. It will the voids in the fine aggregate and makes it concrete in permeable
SELECTION OF CEMENT:
The selection of particular type of cement to be used for manufacturing of concrete, depends upon the
following factors:
1. Strength of the concrete structure.
2. The type of structure.
3. The conditions under which construction of structure is to be taken place.
GRADES OF CONCRETE:
1. Ordinary Portland cement is most commonly used cement. The commonly used general purpose of
Portland Cement in India is branded as 33 grade, 43 grade, and 53 Grade. Having 28 days main
compressive strength exceeding 33MPa, 43MPa and 53MPa. All the three grades of ordinary Portland
cement are produced from the same material.
2. The conventional OPC that is 33 Grade Cement has not available in market and has been replaced
buy high strength 43 Grade Cement. The minimum compressive strength of 43 Grade Cement at 23MPa
and 33 MPa at the end of 3 days and 7 days respectively.
3. Greater fineness of 43 and 53 Grade Cement increase workability due to reduction in friction between
the aggregates full stop shortest setting time and faster development of strengths the stripping time is
shorter. As high strength cement of grades 43 and 53 are desirable for economic design of high grade
concrete but they can also be used for lower grade concrete.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CEMENT:

1.Finess: it is the particle size of Portland cement affecting the rate of hydration which is responsible for
the rate of strength again. The smaller the particle size the greater surface area to volume ratio which
means more area is available for water cement reaction per unit volume. It can be tested receive
analysis or Blaine air permeability test.
2. Soundness: soundness refers to the ability of a hardened cement paste to retain its volume after
setting. Test test conducted to find out the soundness is Li chatteliar or autoclave test.
3. Consistency: consistency of a cement paste refers to the ability to flow. Normal consistency pairs are
required to be prepared for testing the cement specimen. Vicat apparatus is used to determine the and
consistency.
5. Compressive strength: compressive strength of cement is tested by 50 mm mortar cubes made by
using standard sand and killed in a prescribed way full stop the cubes are tested under a compression
testing machine. The strength of cement varies with time therefore in general it is important as 3 days 7
day or 28 days strength.
6. Heat of hydration: the heat generated during the reaction of cement and water is known as heat of
hydration. Conduction calorimeter is used to test heat of hydration.
7. Loss of ignition: SMS sample of known weight is heated between 900- 1000°C until a constant
weight is obtained. The weight loss of the sample due to heating is determined. High loss on ignition
more than 3% indicates rehydration and carbonation which may be due to inappropriate storage of
adulteration.
8. Specific gravity: specific gravity is generally required in mix proportioning for concrete the specific
gravity of OPC is assumed as 3.15.

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STORING OF CEMENT:
• A cement is chemically very active with water it is necessary to protect it from moisture during
the storage till it's used for the manufacturing of concrete.
• The storing arrangement of cement should be done send the shipment delivered first can be used
first and vice versa.
• Generally the cement is available in 50 kg bags which are stored in stacks. At the large
construction sites the cement can also be stored in silos.
• These methods of storing cement and necessary precautions are requirements explained in the
subsequent sections.
STORAGE OF CEMENT IN A WAREHOUSE:
Always door cement and proper places where effects of moisture can be minimized. Warehouse is
always weatherproof building for storage of cement. Requirement of a warehouse.
REQUIREMENTS OF WAREHOUSE:
1. Ware house should be constructed of water proof material example brick masonry in cement
mortar with plaster on both the sides.
2. The roof should be made of RCC with proper drainage.
3. It should have few Windows of small sizes.
4. Windows should be constructed as near to the ceiling as possible.
5. The floor should be at such a height that it should be at same level as the truck height this will
help in easy loading and unloading of cement bag.
6. The floor should be at least 150 mm thick concrete.
7. The ground surrounding the ware house should be sloping always from the wall so that the
water is drained properly.
PRECAUTION TO BE TAKEN IN STORING THE CEMENT:
The handbook on the building construction practices of Bureau of Indian Standards SP 62 1997.
Recommend that for storing the cement bags in stack following precautions must be observed:
1. Do not stack the cement bags directly on the floor. They shall be placed on the drive wooden
planks which should be clear about the Floor by 150 to 200 mm.
2. Maintain minimum all round face of 450 mm between the bags and the external walls. Also
maintain sufficient all round space between two adjacent stacks for proper movement.
3. Place the cement bags in a stacked close together so as to minimise the air circulation.
4. Restrict the height of a stack to maximum 15 bags so as to prevent the possibility of limping up
under pressure.
5. Restrict the width of a stack preferably two for bags or three or metre for whichever is less.
6. For the height of a stack more than that of the eight bags place the bags lengthwise and width
wise in alternate layers so as to minimise the danger of toppling over.
7. Stack of cement bags in a manner so as to facilitate their removal in the order in which they are
received.
8. For storing the cement bags for longer period or during monsoon cover its type with waterproof
sheathing.
9. Store different types of cement in different stacks.
10. Number of bytes stored on the site should be swachh so as to be consumed on the same day.
11. If more than 8 bags are to be put in a stack when they should be arranged alternatively as
header and stretcher.
12. Due to the weight on the lower layer of the bags the cement become somewhat hard which is
known as warehouse pack this can be removed by Rolling the bags when cement is taken out.
• STORAGE OF CEMENT AT SITE:
Storage of cement is necessary for uninterrupted progress of work. At site the cement be stored
properly so that it should not get in contact with dampness.
Cement bag should be stored on a dry platform made of wooden planks resting on Brick masonry
and aggregate platform about 150 mm above the ground.
1. Fresh cement should not be paid over the previous lot.
2. Cement should be used on First Come First used basis.
3. The number of cement bags are stored at the site according to their per day consumption.
4. The piles of cement should be properly covered with tarpaulin sheets full stop this it must be

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properly over lab and anchored.

5. Temporary method of storage in wet weather should not be adopted.
STORING IN SILOS:
At the large construction site where a large quantity of cement is required the cement is preferred to
be stored in silos. In silos the cement can be stored in bulk 12 to 15 tons and that to under ideal
conditions.
Silos is typically a welded Steel cylinder container. It is can also have for crossed breast legs and having
a discharge outlet at the bottom. Moreover it can also have something arrangement at the bottom so as to
get the required weight of cement in each batch.
Cement is supplied includes tankers from the factory and pumped into this directly from the tankers.
1. The cost of bulk cement per ton is less than the bag cement.
2. Unloading of cement through pumping arrangement directly into silos is quite convenient and
cheaper.
3. Less site space is required for any given quantity of cement.
4. Fewer precautions are to be observed.
5. A cement is delivered into the shallows from the top and extracted from bottom, the cement,
which is received first is always used first,
6. The same can be used for another construction site.

EFFECTS OF STORAGE ON STRENGTH OF CEMENT:

• The cement Store at the site should not be late for more duration. It should be consumed as
earliest as possible.
• The strength of cement decreases due to Storage for the long duration.

WATER:
• Water has a significant role to play in the making of concrete in mixing of
fresh concrete and curing of hardened concrete.
• Water is an important ingredient of concrete as it actively participates in the
chemical reaction with cement.
• About of mixing water is utilised in the hydration of cement to form
strength giving cement gel in which the unit aggregates are held in
suspension until the cement paste has hardened.
• The remaining water serves as a lubricant between fine and coarse
aggregates and makes concrete workable..In order to ensure proper strength
development and durability of concrete, it is necessary that the water used
for mixing and curing is free from impurities, acids, alkalis, salts, sugar and
organic material.
• The quality of water affects the strength of concrete and so proper quality
of water should be used in order to achieve the high strength of concrete.

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QUALITY OF WATER:
Water used for mixing and curing shall be clean and free from injurious amounts
of oils, salts, acids and alkalis sugar organic material or other deleterious
materials. As per IS 456 2000 mixing and curing of concrete with sea water is not
recommended because of the presence of harmful salts in seawater.
Generally water for satisfactory for mixing is also suitable for curing of concrete.
In order to define the quality of water it is necessary to know the effects of
various impurities on the quality of concrete.
The impure water may be rich in suspended particles it may contain various
inorganic salts or organic compounds it may be acidic or alkaline in nature It may
contain algae oil or other contamination. Generally the water which is fit for
drinking purpose may be considered suitable for making concrete.
EEFECTS OF IMPURITIES IN WATER ON PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE:
The effect of various important impurities the properties of concrete are
summarised below:
1. Suspended solids: high amounts of solid can increase water demand
increased the dry shrinkage cause of fluorescence (excessively leaching of
salt which increases porosity and decrease strength) and effect air
entraining.
2. In organic salts: the presence of salts of Manganese in zinc Copper and lead
in water cause reduction in strength of concrete. The carbonates of sodium
and potassium may cause extremely Rapid setting and in large
concentration reduce the concrete strength. On the other hand the presence
of calcium chloride accelerate setting and hardening.
3. Salt in seawater: the salt present in seawater reduce the ultimate strength of
concrete. The reduction in strength of concrete by way of 10 to 20%.
Chloride causes and of reinforcing Steel and efflorescence of concrete.
4. Acids and alkalis: water containing acids are alkali is supposed to be
unsuitable for making concrete. Water value with PH of 6 to 8 it should be
used.
5. Algae: algae may be present in mixing water or on the surface of aggregate
particles. Combines with the cement and reduces the bond between
aggregates and cement based. The water containing algae has the effect of
N training the large quantities of air in the concrete and thus lowering the
strength of concrete.
6. Sugar: is the amount of sugar present in the mixing water is less than the
0.05% by weight of water there is no adverse effect on the strength of
concrete. Small amount of sugar upto 0.15 % by weight of cement retard
the setting of cement and the early strength may be reduced whereas the 28
days strength may be improved.
7. Oil contamination: various kinds of soil are occasionally present in the
mixing water. Mineral oil in concentrations greater than 2% by weight of
cement married used concrete strength by more than 20% full stop the
vegetable oils have detrimental effect on concrete strength particularly at
later ages.
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8. Suspended particles: particles like clay, silt and desirable as they interfere
with setting hardening and Bond characteristics.
QUESTIONS:
1.What are grades of cement?
2. Define finess.
3.Define normal consistency?
4.What are the impurities limits in water as per ISI?
5. Explain the storing of cement in ware houses.
6. Explain the storing of cement at site ans silos.
7. Explain the effects of impurities in water.

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