CHAPTER 1

MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES OF REINFORCED CONCRETE

Lecturer: Aljhon Morana
Chapter Outline
1. Introduction
2. Materials of Concrete
3. Properties of Concrete
4. Reinforcing Steel
5. Properties of Steel
Objectives
1. Enumerate the materials of concrete and explain their
contribution to the properties of concrete.
2. Identify the properties of concrete that makes it a suitable
construction material.
3. Discuss the stress-strain characteristics of steel.
1. Introduction 2 3 4 5

How do we predict the performance of structures under load?

REINFORCED
CONCRETE = +
Concrete Reinforcing Bar (Rebar)

GOOD IN GOOD IN
COMPRESSION TENSION

An understanding of the MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS and BEHAVIOR under load is

fundamental to understanding the PERFORMANCE of structural concrete, and to
SAFE, ECONOMICAL, and SERVICEABLE design of concrete structures.
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

CEMENT
A binder, a substance which sets and
hardens in the presence of water –
hydraulic cement.

Consist primarily of silicates and

aluminates of lime made from
limestone and clay.

The hydraulic cement used for

reinforced concrete is known as
Portland Cement.
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

AGGREGATES
In general, the more densely the
aggregate can be packed, the better
the strength, weather resistance,
and economy of the concrete.

Thus, gradation of the particle sizes

of the aggregates is of particular
importance to produce close
packing.
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

AGGREGATES
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

AGGREGATES
Natural aggregates are generally
classified as:

Fine Aggregate (Sand) – Any material

that will pass sieve no. 4. (Less than
5mm)

Coarse Aggregate (Gravel) – Any

material larger than the fine
aggregate
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

AGGREGATES
The MAXIMUM SIZE OF COARSE
AGGREGATES in reinforced concrete
is governed by the requirement that
it shall EASILY FIT into the forms
and between reinforcing bars
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

AGGREGATES

< 1/5 of beam width

< 1/3 of slab thickness

< 3/4 of clear distance

between bars
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

AGGREGATES
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

AGGREGATES

HONEYCOMB (AMPAW)
1 2. Materials of Concrete 3 4 5

ADMIXTURES
Materials added to concrete during
or before mixing to improve the
performance of concrete

-Air-Entraining Admixtures
-Accelerating Admixtures
-Retarding Admixtures
-Superplasticizers
1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Properties of Concrete
1. Compressive Strength, fc’
2. Modulus of Elasticity, Ec
3. Poisson’s Ratio, v
4. Tensile Strength
5. Time-Dependent Deformation of Concrete
a) Creep
b) Shrinkage
1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Compressive Strength, f’c

The first portion of the curve up to
0.40f’c can be considered as linear.

At 0.70f’c, the material loses a

large portion of its stiffness
thereby increasing the
curvilinearity of the diagram.

At f’c, cracks parallel to the

direction of loading become
distinctively visible, and most
concrete cylinders suddenly fail
shortly thereafter.
1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Compressive Strength, f’c

Compressive strength f’c is reached
at a strain between 0.002 and
0.003 for normal density concrete.

The curve runs smoothly on to the

point of rupture strains from 0.003
to 0.004.

Concrete with higher f’c are more

brittle than those with lower f’c.
They will reach larger strains
before breaking.
1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Modulus of Elasticity, Ec
The slope of the initial straight part
of the stress-strain curve.

For normal weight concrete

(wc = 145 lb/ft3 or 2320 kg/m3)

𝐸𝑐 = 57000 𝑓′𝑐 (psi)

𝐸𝑐 = 4700 𝑓′𝑐 (Mpa)

1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Modulus of Elasticity, Ec
The slope of the initial straight part
of the stress-strain curve.

For normal weight concrete

(wc = 145 lb/ft3 or 2320 kg/m3)

𝐸𝑐 = 57000 𝑓′𝑐 (psi)

𝐸𝑐 = 4700 𝑓′𝑐 (Mpa)

1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Poisson’s Ratio, v
The ratio of the transverse strain to
the longitudinal strain.
𝜀𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠
𝑣=
𝜀𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔
1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Tensile Strength of Concrete

Varies from about 8% to 15% of its f’c only.

Although it is normally neglected in design, this property determines

the size and extent of cracks that occur.

It also reduces member deflections.

It can be measured through Modulus of Rupture Test and Split

Cylinder Test.
1 2 3. Properties of Concrete 4 5

Time-Dependent Deformation of Concrete

Creep - property of materials by which they continue to deform over
considerable lengths of time at constant stress or loads.

Shrinkage – results to a decrease in volume as the concrete loses

moisture by evaporation.
1 2 3 4. Reinforcing Steel 5

Reinforcements may be: Available in the Philippines

 Reinforcing Bars (Rebars) Diameter(mm): 10, 12, 16,

• Plain Round Bar 20, 25, 28, 32, 36
• Deformed Bar Length(m): 6.0, 7.5, 9.0,
 Welded Wire Fabric 10.5, 12.0

Plain Round Bar Deformed Bar Welded Wire Fabric

1 2 3 4 5. Properties of Steel

Yield Stress of Steel, Fy

Stress-Strain Curve of Steel

1 2 3 4 5. Properties of Steel

Elastic Modulus, Es
Elastic Modulus of steel is 29,000 ksi.

Although steel with Grade 40 and 60

have well-defined yield point, the
same is not true for higher strength
steel.

Ductility is significantly less for the

higher grades.
1 2 3 4 5. Properties of Steel

Ductility
Ductile materials show large
deformation before fracture; lack of
ductility is often termed as brittleness.

a. Brittle Fracture
b. Ductile Fracture after Necking
c. Completely Ductile Failure
1 2 3 4 5

References
McCormac, J.C. and Nelson, J.K. 2005. Design of Reinforced
Concrete. 6th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc: New Jersey.
Nilson, A. H. 1997. Design of Concrete Structures. 12th Edition.
McGraw-Hill: Singapore.
Pytel, A. and Singer, F.L. 1987. Strength of Materials. 4th Edition.
Harper Collins Publisher.: New York.
Zafra, R. 1st Sem 2017-2018. CE 134 Lecture Notes. Department of
Civil Engineering, UPLB.
END