Fresh Concrete

Properties
Concrete Ingredients
 Concrete Ingredients
Ingredient Purpose
Gravel cheap filler
Sand cheap filler, workability
Cement strength, workability
Water hydration, workability
Air durability, workability
 Workability
workability - the ease with which the
concrete ingredients (gravel, sand, cement,
water) can be mixed, transported, placed,
consolidated, and finished with minimum loss of
homogeneity.
 Workability
refers to the stickiness of the concrete
and how easily it can be placed and
finished without inhomogeneity

workability = consistency + cohesion

refers to the fluidity of the concrete and how

easily it can be transported, placed, and
consolidated without inhomogeneity.
 Inhomogeneity
segregation - the tendency for the gravel
particles to separate from the rest of the
ingredients.

bleeding - the tendency for the mixing water to

separate from the rest of the ingredients.
Causes of Segregation

improper placement

too much mixing water

over-vibration
Causes of Bleeding

Too little cement

too much water

over-vibration

over-working
Slump Test

Slump Cone
Slump Test
Slump Types
Properties Affected by Air Content
consistency

durability

strength

bleeding
Methods for Measuring Air Content

gravimetric method (ASTM C-138)

volumetric method (ASTM C-173)
pressure method (ASTM C-231)
Gravimetric Method
Void Content of Aggregate
Void Content of Aggregate
Air-Free Unit Weight
Example
Volumetric Method
The measuring bowl is filled
with concrete, the device is
assembled, and water is added
to reach the zero mark in the
neck. As the device is agitated,
the air in the concrete is
replaced by water from the
neck and the water level drops
in proportion to the air
content
Pressure Method
The bowl is filled with concrete,
the device is assembled, and
water is added to reach the
zero mark in the neck. As the
unit is pressurized, the air
bubbles compress, the concrete
surface falls and the water level
drops in proportion to the
change in air volume