AR8521

BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

- IV

UNIT IV
SPECIAL CONCRETES AND INNOVATIONS IN
CONCRETE
SYLLABUS
• Types of special concretes, to include lightweight concrete, aerated
concrete, no-fines concrete, polymer concrete, pre-stressed concrete,
fibre-reinforced concrete, ready-mixed concrete, ferrocement.
Building materials and components developed by research
organisations like CBRI, SERC, NBO, and BMTPC. Techniques for
renovation and retrofitting. Basic principles for seismic design in
concrete.
SPECIAL CONCRETES
SPECIAL CONCRETES
• Pre-stressed Concrete
• Lightweight Concrete
• Aerated Concrete
• No-fines Concrete
• Polymer Concrete
• Fibre-reinforced Concrete
• Ready-mixed Concrete
• Ferrocement
PRE-STRESSED
CONCRETE
CONCEPT
MATERIALS
• High Strength Concrete: compression [M30 to M80 and above],
flexure
• High Tensile Steel: (800 to 1000 MPa and above)
METHODS OF PRE-STRESSING
• Mechanical: mechanical jacks
• Hydraulic: stressed by hydraulic jacks
• Electro-thermal: expanded by heat through electricity
• Chemical: expansion
PRE-TENSIONING
POST-TENSIONING
ADVANTAGES OF PRE-STRESSED
CONCRETE
• Makes full use of the inherent compressive strength of concrete.
• Makes full use of the special alloy steels used to form pre-stressing
tendons.
• Eliminates tension cracks, thus reducing the risk of corrosion of steel
components.
• Reduces shear stresses.
• For any given span and loading condition a member with a smaller
cross-section can be used, giving a reduction in weight and height.
• Individual units can be joined together to act as a single member
DISADVANTAGES OF PRE-STRESSED
CONCRETE
• High degree of control of materials, design and workmanship is
required.
• Special alloy steels are costlier than mild steels.
• Extra cost of special equipment required to carry out stressing
activities
ECONOMICAL CHOICES – THUMB
RULE
• For spans of up to 6.000 m traditional reinforced concrete is the most
economic method.
• For spans between 6.000 and 9.000 m, both are compatible.
• For spans of over 9.000 m pre-stressed concrete is generally more
economical than reinforced concrete.