Chemistry

Members: 1) Heng Xi Jiandids

2) Wong Khai Shen
3) Soe Yi Lecxc zz
4) Song Zhi Liang f
Chemistry, Chemistry
where are you? :o
How much do you know about
chemistry?

Do you know that chemistry is

around us?
Chemistry in the life of a construction
worker.

Why do I mix the

sand,cement, water and
pebbles together

?
SAND+CEMENT+WATER+
PEBBLES
CONCRETE
USAGE OF CONCRETE

In early days :
 Art
 Engineering
 Architecture
 Technology

But TODAY concrete is associated to :

 Chemistry
Importance of concrete
 Cannot be underestimated.
 Concrete surrounds us
 Concrete structures are everywhere :

◦ Buildings
◦ Roads
◦ bridges
◦ dams
Hence we cannot deny the impact that
CONCRETE has on our everyday life.
 CHEMISTRY OF CONCRETE
CONCRETE is a composite material made
up of
 Cement
 Water
 Pebbles
 Sand

When cement is mixed with water,

each compound undergo a chemical
reaction called hydration and
contribute the final concrete product.
Aggregates (Pebbles and sand)
 Are chemically inert and are bound together

by cement into a rock like mass which then

give bulk to the concrete.
 They are not involved in any chemical

processes.
 Aggregates can be fine (sand) and coarse

(pebbles).
 The relative amount and the sizes of the

aggregates determines the physical

properties of concrete.
Cement is not a simple compound, it is a
mixture of many compounds.
 Tricalcium silicate (50%) *
 Dicalcium silicate (25%) *
 Tricalcium aluminate (10%) *
 Tetracalcium auminoferrite (10%) *
 Gypsum (5%)
Different types of cement contain the same 4
major compounds *but in DIFFERENT
proportion.
•In general, during the making of
concrete the calcium silicates form
calcium silicate hydrate, calcium
hydroxide and heat.

•Tricalcium silicate reacts quickly to

release calcium ions, hydroxide ions and
a large amount of heat.

•The pH quicly rises to over 12 due to the

release of alkaline hydroxide.
• Dicalcium silicate reacts more slowly
and produces less heat because it is
less reactive compare to tricalcium
silicate. However the products of
hydration is similar.

(i)Tricalcium silicate + water  calcium

silicate hydrate + calcium hydroxide +
heat
(ii)Dicalcium silicate + water  calcium
silicate hydrate + calcium hydroxide +
heat
Water is the key reactant in cement hydration.
.

 Water and cement initially form a paste

(binder) that react and harden.

 The paste binds the aggregate particles

through the chemical process called
hydration.

 The water to cement mass ratio is a critical

factor determines the strength of concrete.
 Hence the strength of concrete is dependent
upon the hydration reaction.

 A high water to cement ratio mass ratio yields

a low strength concrete. However if there is
less water then concrete will be have poor
workability ( difficult to pour).

 In the construction of bridges and highrise

buildings and dams, strength of concrete has
to increase from 20MPa to 40MPa.
How do I make my construction stable and firm?

 Achieve through the advancement in

Chemical Science to provide technological
solutions needed to overcome these
challenges

 Initially concrete is used as a structural

component of Reinforced Concrete.
 Concrete has a high compression strength
compare to its tensile strength.

 Has a compressive strength of 20 Mpa (Grade

20) through the mixing of the 1:2:4 Ratio
(Cement: Sand : Pebble)

 Now many chemicals called admixtures are

added to the basics to overcome the
challenges faced by the users under different
situations and conditions
What is the role of admixtures?
 Different types of admixtures are
incorporated in to the concrete to improve
the workability and plasticity ,so that less
water is needed, thus improving the strength.

 Others help construction forms adapt to

different environmental factors. The retarding
admixtures delay the setting time in hot
climates. There are also accelerating
admixtures to speed up setting in colder
climates.
Admixtures and their functions
 Plasticizers – increase strength by decreasing
water needed for workable concrete (e.g
special polymers)
 Retarders – controls the setting time of the

concrete,more long term strength,offsets

adverse temperature weather. (e.g sugar)
 Pigments – change the colour of the concrete

(e.g metal oxides)

Cont.
 Corrosion inhibitors - minimize the corrosion
of steel and steel bars in concrete

 Mineral admixtures – improves workability,

plasticity, strength (e.g fly , ash)

 Air Entraining - improves durability,

workability, reduces freeezing /thawing
problems (e.g special detergents
Other important aspects to be considered for
good concrete construction are :
 Mixing
 Ingredient proportioning
 Batching
 Transporting
 Placing
 Compacting
 Curing
The final process of concrete making which is
curing must be emphasized.
 During this process concrete needs to be in

conditions with a controlled temperature and

humid atmosphere. In practice, this is
achieved by spraying the concrete surface
with water, thereby protecting concrete mass
from ill effects of ambient conditions.
 Properly curing concrete leads to increased

strength and lower permeability, and avoids

cracking where the surface dries out
prematurely.
Curing
 Affects strength, durability, water tightness,

wear-resistence etc.
 If neglected curing causes cracking in

concrete. This reduces the durability and

causes leakage, corrosion, scaling, reduced
strength, poor abrasion resistance, and
cracking.
 The hardening of concrete depends on the

presence of water. The chemical action must

continue until the requires strength is gained.
Hydration process is rapid in the first few days
and therefore concrete must have sufficient
water within it.
Buildings
Building Materials
Construction Workers At Work
FIN