CONCRETE

TECHNOLOGY
 Cement
 Cement is an essential construction material, extensively used in
the modern-age of construction. It is a prominent ingredient for
concrete, mortar, plaster etc. and is available in different grades.
The strength of the concrete mix is dependent on the grade of
cement. Generally, there are three grades of cement available in
the market. Cement is available in 33 grade, 43 grade and 53
grade.
The grade of cement is generally differentiated in terms strength of
cement. The strength of cement is generally measured as
compressive strength. Compressive strength is the strength of
cement molded in a standard cube, after 28 days of curing.
Compressive strength is usually measured in Mega-pascal (Mpa)
 Grades of cement
33 Grade Cement :
33 grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is 33N/mm2 when
tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions.
This grade of cement is used for general construction work under normal environmental condition. It may
not be suitable for concrete grade above M20. Due to the availability of higher grades in the cement, use
of 33 grade cement has declined. Nowadays 33 grade cement is hardly manufactured.
43 Grade Cement :
43 grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is 43N/mm2 when
tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions.
This grade of cement is used for plain concrete work and plastering works. 43 grade cement is also used
to make precast items, such as tiles, blocks, pipes, etc.
53 Grade Cement :
53 grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is 53 N/mm2 when
tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions. 53 grade cement has a fast setting time as
compared to 43 grade cement. It is mostly used for the structural purposes as in reinforced cement
concrete. 53 grade cement is suitable in making concrete mix above M 25. It can also be used in
prestressed concrete.
 Grades of steel
Depending upon the amount of presence of carbon in the alloy, Carbon steel which is
known as Mild Steel can be classified into 4 different categories-
Low Carbon Steel : Composition of 0.05%-0.25%carbon and up to 0.4% manganese.
Also known as mild steel, it is a low-cost material that is easy to shape. While not as
hard as higher-carbon steels, carburizing can increase its surface hardness.
Medium Carbon Steel : Composition of 0.29%-0.54%carbon, with 0.60%-1.65%
manganese. Medium carbon steel is ductile and strong, with long-wearing properties.
High Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.55%-0.95%carbon, with 0.30%-0.90%
manganese. It is very strong and holds shape memory well, making it ideal for springs
and wire.
Very High Carbon Steel – Composition of 0.96%-2.1% carbon. Its high carbon content
makes it an extremely strong material. Due to its brittleness, this grade requires special
handling.
Mild steel is the alloy of iron and cementite (not carbon) with latter being in the range of 0.05% to 0.3%
by weight.
Note: Other metallic and non-metallic constituents are also present in very less percentages.
As per Indian Standard 2062, there are nine mild
steel grades specified.
1. Fe250 or E250
2. Fe275 or E275
3. Fe300 or E300
4. Fe350 or E350
5. Fe410 or E410
6. Fe450 or E450
7. Fe550 or E550
8. Fe600 or E600
9. Fe650 or E650
Where number denotes the value of tensile strength in MPa.
Tests in brief
 Test for Chemical Composition
Chemical composition for Portland cement, whether ordinary or rapid-
hardening, is given as below:
Ratio of percentage of lime to percentage of silica, alumina and iron
oxide, when calculated by the formula :

CaO- 07 S03 /28 SiO2 + 12Al2O3+065Fe2O3 Not greater than 1 , not less than 0
Ratio of percentage of alumina to that of iron Not less than 0.66
oxide

Weight of insoluble residue Not less than 1%

Weight of magnesia Not less than 6%
Total sulphur content, calculated as Sulphur Not less than 2.75%
Anhydride (SO3)

Total loss of ignition Not more than 4%

 Test for fineness
The rate of hydration and hydrolysis of cement depend upon its
fineness. Finer cements have quicker action with water and develop
high early strength. Fineness of cement may be tested by method of
sieving or by the method of air permeability. When tested by one of
said methods, the cement should comply with the following
requirements:
Ordinary Cement Rapid Hardening Low Heat Cement
Cement
Method 1: After sieving the 10 5 -
residue on weight on a I.S Test
Sieve no. 9 , not to exceed
percentage
Method 2 : Specific surface by air 2250 3250 3200
permeability method (as described
in IS : 4031 , not less than )
 Test for soundness
Due to the presence of free lime and magnesia, cement
undergoes volumetric changes after setting as these
ingredients go on slaking very slowly. This expansion or
volumetric instability is called unsoundness and may produce
cracks, distortion and disintegration of concrete. Soundness
test is designed to accelerate the slaking process of the
ingredients of cement and to determine the resulting
expansion in short time. Expansion of all types of portland
cements when tested by Le chatelier's method in accordance
with IS : 4031 shouldn't exceed 10mm.
 Test for setting time
The principal aim of this test is to make a distinction between normal
and quick setting cement and also to detect the degree of
deterioration in cement by use of Vicat's apparatus in accordance
with IS : 269 should be as under:
Ordinary Cement Rapid Hardening Low Heat
Cement Cement

Initial setting time not less than 30 mins 30 mins 60 mins

Final setting time not more than 10 hrs 10hrs 10hrs

 Test for tensile strength
Tensile strength of cement is tested by fracturing six stabdard
briquettes separately and taking the average of six test results. The
average strength of the briquettes after 1 day, 3 days and 7 days
immersion respectively should be as under:
Ordinary Cement Rapid Hardening Cement

After 1 day (24 hours) - 20 kg/sq.cm

Not less than

After 3 days (72 hours) 20 kg/sq.cm 30 kg/sq.cm

Not less than

After 7 days (168 hrs) 25 kg/sq.cm -

Not less than
 Test for compressive strength
Similar to the tensile strength test, the compressive strength of cement
is tested by fracturing 3 cubes by compression separately and taking
average of three results. The average compressive strength of the
cubes tested after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days and 28 days immersion
respectively should be as under:
Ordinary Cement Rapid Hardening Low Heat
Cement Cement
After one day - 160kg/cm2 -

After 3 days 160 kg/cm2 275 kg / cm2 100 kg/cm2

After 7 days 220 kg/cm2 - 160 kg/cm2

After 28 days - - 350 kg/cm2

This test is applicable only in case of low heat cements. The heat of
hydration of low heat Portland cement should be as under :
1. 7 days not more than 65 calories per gram
2. 28 days not more than 75 calories per gram
 Thank you
Made by:
Anushka Punyani
Ayushi Sahani
Niyoti Kamble
Roshni Multani
Shradhha Datey
Vanshika Nahta BID-5th sem