Mixing Water for

Concrete
Concrete Technology
Introduction
• Water is a key ingredient in concrete
• when mixed with portland cement, forms a paste
that binds the aggregates together
• Water causes the hardening of concrete through
hydration
• Hydration is a chemical reaction between cement
and water to form cementitious hydration products
Sources of Mixing Water
• When considering water quality in concrete
production, it is important to account for all sources
of water in the mixture.
• municipal water supply
• a municipal reclaimed water supply
• site-sourced water
• water from concrete production operations
Effects of Impurities in Mixing
Water on Concrete Properties
• Excessive impurities in mixing water not only may
affect setting time and concrete strength
• also may cause efflorescence, staining, corrosion of
reinforcement, volume instability, and reduced
durability.
• Certain optional limits on chlorides, sulfates,
alkalis, and solids in the mixing water may be set or
appropriate tests can be performed to determine the
effect the impurity has on various properties
• Water containing less than 2000 parts per million
(ppm) of total dissolved solids is generally
satisfactory for use in concrete
• Water containing more than 2000 ppm of dissolved
solids should be tested for its effect on strength and
time of set
Organic Impurities
• The effect of organic substances on the setting time
of portland cement or the ultimate strength of
concrete is a problem of considerable complexity.
• Such substances, like surface loams, can be found in
natural waters
• Highly colored waters, waters with a noticeable
odor, or those in which green or brown algae are
visible should be regarded with suspicion and tested
accordingly.
• Organic impurities are often of a humus nature
containing tannates or tannic acid
Interaction with Admixtures
• When evaluating a water source for its effect on
concrete properties, it is important to also test the
water with chemical admixtures that will be used in
the concrete mixture.
• Certain compounds in water can influence the
performance and efficiency of certain admixtures.
• For example, the dosage of air-entraining admixture
may need to be increased when used with hard
waters containing high concentrations of certain
compounds or minerals.
Home Work 03
• Find following standards
• ASTM C1602/C1602M − 12, Standard Specification for
Mixing Water Used in the Production of Hydraulic
Cement Concrete
• ASTM C1603 − 10, Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Solids in Water
• Write on your own:
• What is, and how to determine to quality of water for
concrete production.
• Collect your work within 48 hours, after the class!