Department of Civil Engineering

Teacher: Dr N. HAMIMED
Concrete (Part 1)

Main Components

Concrete is made up of a cement paste, aggregates (fine and coarse), and, in some cases, other
materials.

Cement paste stands for a blend of water and cement, the latter of which is a combining agent
which proceeds as an adhesive, kind of like glue for a combination. Cement itself is produced
from elements or components that are full of calcium or silica (silicon dioxide). These
constituents might comprise clay, limestone, or even cool-looking seashells. Every concrete
blend can have up to 21% water and up to 15% cement.

Cement paste

Aggregate in concrete combinations work as fillers and are a blend of fine material, such as
finely crushed stone or sand, and coarse aggregates, for instance larger crushed stone and gravel.
Natural sources of aggregates are the most frequent or widespread ones utilized in concrete,
however artificial ones, such as burned clay, are occasionally utilized as well. Nevertheless, this
aggregate combination represents up to 75% percent of the volume of a concrete blend.

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 Coarse Aggreagate

Fine Aggregate

Other materials can be included to the concrete combination to alter its properties. For instance, a
liquid got from animal fats can be utilized as an air-entraining agent to strengthen the
concrete's resistance to cold surroundings. Air-entraining agents produce lots of microscopic air
chambers that provide water space to expand into when it congeals. This aids to relieve the
internal pressure of concrete coming from the expanding water and therefore reduces its chances
of cracking under this pressure.

Quality

The numerous features and overall quality of concrete is determined by the accurate
proportioning and combination of the components utilized therein. For instance, when a mixture
doesn't contain enough cement paste, in that case the empty spaces between the aggregates
creates a rather porous concrete which is tough to place and has an uneven or rough surface. On
the other hand, if you utilize in large amounts cement paste, in that case the concrete will be even
or smooth, but it will break or crack more easily.

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Overall speaking, superior-quality concrete is made from as low of a water-cement ratio as
possible, as long as the blend can still be properly worked with, placed, and cured. What is the
water-cement ratio? It is the weight of the water utilized divided by the weight of the cement.

And when we talk about curing it is not about giving the concrete some kind of pill to make it
feel better. Curing signifies the hardening of concrete. Moreover, the reaction which hardens the
concrete in addition to reinforce it is called hydration. Hydration happens when the water and
cement are blended. The compressive strength of the concrete will augment as (au fur et à
mesure que) the hydration reaction carries on for upwards of 28 days. By compressive strength,
we denote the resistance of the concrete of being ''squished.''

Utilization in Construction
Concrete has been utilized in construction since ancient Rome. Over centuries, concrete has been
expanded for the reason of construction. Currently, concrete is the only most widely employed
construction material in the world and is utilized in the construction of buildings, bridges, and
super-structures such as dams, pavements, etc. The cause for this is for the reason that the
materials utilized to make concrete are so various and easily available; another cause for this is
that concrete can be precast or poured into any form.
Main types of concrete include (1) reinforced concrete, (2) prestressed concrete, and precast
concrete.
Reinforced concrete is fabricated by casting concrete around steel rods or bars. The steel
reinforces the concrete. Approximately all super structures, comprising skyscrapers and bridges,
necessitate this extra-strong kind of concrete.
Prestressed concrete usually is manufactured by casting concrete around steel cables stretched
by hydraulic jacks. When the concrete solidifies, the jacks are released and the cables compress
the concrete. Concrete is stronger when it is compressed. Steel is strong when it is stretched, or
in tension. In this manner, builders join the two strongest qualities of the two materials.
Prestressed concrete beams, roofs, floors, and bridges are generally cheaper for some utilization
than those made of reinforced concrete.
Precast concrete is cast and hardened before being utilized for construction. Precasting
companies make concrete sewer pipes, floor and roof units, wall panels, beams, and girders, and
ship them to the building site. Precasting renders possible the mass production of concrete
building materials. Mostly all prestressed concrete is precast.

References
 "Civil Engineering." —University of Louisville. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
 Hawkes, Nigel. Structures: The Way Things Are Built. New York: Macmillan, 1990.