CONCRETE

Concrete
• Concrete is a building material made from cement, water,
sand, and aggregate (gravel or crushed stones). It hardens
over time due to a chemical reaction between the
components, resulting in a durable and strong material that is
commonly used for constructing buildings, bridges, roads,
and other structures. Concrete can be molded into various
shapes and can be reinforced with steel for added strength .
 Ingredients
• Cement: Acts as a binder that holds the mixture together.
• Aggregate (sand and gravel): Provides bulk and strength to the mixture.
• Water: Activates the chemical reaction between the cement and aggregates
and allows the mixture to be molded and set.
• Admixtures (optional): Can be added to improve the properties of
concrete, such as accelerating or slowing down the setting time, increasing
the workability, or improving the durability.
 Functions Of Ingredients
1.Cement: The cement reacts with water to form a paste that binds the mixture
together.
2.Aggregate: The aggregate provides the bulk and strength to the concrete.
3.Water: The water activates the chemical reaction between the cement and aggregate,
allowing the mixture to set and harden.
4.Admixtures: Admixtures can be used to modify the properties of the concrete
mixture to meet specific needs, such as faster setting time, improved workability, or
increased durability.
 Classifications of Concrete
• Concrete can be classified based on several factors, including:
• Composition:
• Normal concrete: Made from a mixture of cement, water, sand, and coarse aggregates.
• Lightweight concrete: Made with lightweight aggregates, such as pumice or scoria, instead
of traditional coarse aggregates.
• High-strength concrete: Made with a higher proportion of cement and specialized
aggregates, designed to achieve higher compressive strengths.
• Fiber-reinforced concrete: Contains fibers, such as steel or synthetic fibers, to increase the
tensile strength and durability of the concrete.
 Classifications of Concrete
• Workability:
• Flowable concrete: Has a high water-to-cement ratio, making it easy to work with and pour into
forms.
• Stiff concrete: Has a lower water-to-cement ratio, making it more difficult to work with but
stronger in compression.
• Strength:
• Plain concrete: Has low compressive strength and is used in non-structural applications, such as
sidewalks and curbs.
• Reinforced concrete: Has reinforcing steel bars added to increase its tensile strength and is used
in structural applications, such as buildings and bridges.
 Classifications of Concrete
• Durability:
• Normal concrete: Has basic durability characteristics, but can be improved with the
addition of pozzolanic materials or other admixtures.
• Air-entrained concrete: Contains small air bubbles that improve the concrete's
resistance to freeze-thaw damage.
• Durable concrete: Made with specialized materials and techniques to improve its
resistance to weathering, chemical attack, and other forms of degradation.
 Admixtures and Types
• Admixtures are additional ingredients added to the concrete mixture to
modify its properties. There are several types of admixtures, including:
• Air-entraining Admixtures: Improve the concrete's resistance to freeze-
thaw damage by adding small air bubbles to the mixture.
• Water-reducing Admixtures: Improve the workability of the concrete
by reducing the amount of water needed to achieve a given consistency.
• Accelerating Admixtures: Speed up the setting time of the concrete
mixture, allowing it to harden faster.
 Admixtures and Types
• Retarding Admixtures: Slow down the setting time of the concrete mixture, giving the
contractor more time to work with it.
• Plasticizing Admixtures: Improve the workability and plasticity of the concrete mixture,
making it easier to place and finish.
• Superplasticizing Admixtures: Dramatically improve the workability and flowability of the
concrete mixture, allowing it to be poured into difficult-to-reach areas.
• Corrosion Inhibitors: Prevent the reinforcing steel bars in concrete from corroding, increasing
the durability and longevity of the structure.
• Pigment Admixtures: Add color to the concrete mixture, allowing for decorative or color-coded
applications.
• Pozzolanic Admixtures: Improve the durability and long-term strength of the concrete by
reacting with the calcium hydroxide in the mixture to form additional cementing compounds.
 Proportioning

Proportioning of concrete refers to the process of determining the correct mix of ingredients
to produce a concrete mixture with desired properties. The proportions of cement,
water, sand, and aggregate in the mixture are adjusted to achieve the desired strength,
workability, durability, and other properties.
The process of proportioning can be done using several methods, including:
1.Volume method: The proportions of the ingredients are determined by their absolute volumes,
rather than their weights.
2.Weight method: The proportions of the ingredients are determined by their weights,
rather than their volumes.
 Proportioning
3.Mix design method: A mix design is developed based on laboratory tests to
determine the proportions of the ingredients that will produce the desired
properties.
The optimal proportions of the ingredients in the concrete mixture will depend on
several factors, including the type of structure
being built, the environmental conditions, the desired strength, and the type of
aggregate being used.
A professional engineer or concrete specialist should be consulted to determine the
appropriate proportions for a given application.
 Water Cement Ratio
• The water-cement ratio is the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of
cement in a concrete mixture. It is an important factor that affects the
strength, workability, and durability of the concrete.
• A lower water-cement ratio (e.g., 0.35 or lower) will result in higher
strength and improved durability, but reduced workability. A higher water-
cement ratio (e.g., 0.5 or higher) will result in improved workability, but
reduced strength and durability.
 Water Cement Ratio
• The optimal water-cement ratio for a given application will depend on several
factors, including the type of structure being built, the environmental
conditions, the type of aggregate being used, and the desired properties of the
concrete. In general, a water-cement ratio of 0.45 to 0.6 is considered a good
balance between strength, workability, and durability.
• It is important to use the correct water-cement ratio in concrete mixtures to
ensure that the concrete will perform as desired and meet the design
requirements. A professional engineer or concrete specialist should be consulted
to determine the appropriate water-cement ratio for a given application.
 Laying Of Concrete
• Preparation: The site is cleared and prepared, and forms are set to contain the concrete and
give it its desired shape.
• Mixing: The ingredients of the concrete (cement, water, sand, and aggregate) are mixed
together to achieve the desired consistency .machine and hand mixing
• Placement: The concrete mixture is placed into the forms and spread evenly to fill the entire
space.
• Compaction: The concrete is compacted to remove any air pockets and ensure a dense, uniform
structure. This can be done using a variety of methods, including hand tamping, mechanical
vibrators..
• Finishing: The surface of the concrete is finished to achieve a smooth, uniform surface and
correct any imperfections. This can be done using a variety of methods, including troweling,
floating, and texturing.
 Laying Of Concrete
• Curing: The concrete is cured to allow it to harden and reach its full
strength. This involves keeping the concrete moist and at a temperature
between 50°F and 70°F for several days to several weeks, depending on
the conditions and the desired properties of the concrete.
• It is important to follow proper techniques and guidelines when laying
concrete to ensure that it will perform as desired and meet the design
requirements. A professional contractor or concrete specialist should be
consulted to ensure that the concrete is laid correctly and to handle any
complications that may arise.
• *laying and curing should be studied in detail from recommended book
 Properties Of Concrete
• The properties of fresh concrete include:
• Slump: The consistency of the concrete mixture, which is measured by the height of the slump
after it has been molded into a cone shape. The slump measurement indicates the workability
of the concrete mixture.
• Air content: The amount of air trapped in the concrete mixture, which can affect the strength
and durability of the concrete.
• Bleeding: The release of excess water from the concrete mixture to the surface, which can
weaken the surface of the concrete.
• Segregation: The separation of the ingredients in the concrete mixture, which can affect the
uniformity and strength of the concrete.
 Properties Of Concrete
• Cohesiveness: The ability of the concrete mixture to stick together and resist
separation, which is important for placing and finishing the concrete.
• Setting time: The time it takes for the concrete mixture to begin to harden and set.
• It is important to control and monitor these properties of fresh concrete to ensure
that the concrete will have the desired properties after it has hardened. A
professional contractor or concrete specialist should be consulted to ensure that the
concrete is placed, finished, and cured correctly.
 Properties Of Concrete
• The properties of hardened concrete include:
• Compressive strength: The ability of the concrete to resist crushing
under compression, which is a measure of its overall strength.
• Tensile strength: The ability of the concrete to resist cracking under
tension, which is important for preventing cracking and ensuring
durability.
• Flexural strength: The ability of the concrete to resist bending and
deformation, which is important for ensuring durability and stability.
 Properties Of Concrete
• Durability: The ability of the concrete to resist damage from environmental factors, such
as moisture, chemicals, and temperature changes, and maintain its strength over time.
• Permeability: The ability of liquids and gases to pass through the concrete, which can
affect its durability and resistance to water damage.
• Elasticity: The ability of the concrete to deform and return to its original shape, which
affects its performance under stress and strain.
• It is important to control and monitor these properties of hardened concrete to ensure that
it will perform as desired and meet the design requirements. A professional engineer or
concrete specialist should be consulted to determine the appropriate mix design and curing
process for a given application.
 Types Of Concrete
• Here are several types of concrete, including:
• Normal concrete - made with ordinary Portland cement, aggregates (sand, gravel,
crushed stone), and water.
• Lightweight concrete - made with lightweight aggregates, such as vermiculite and
perlite, instead of normal weight aggregates.
• High-strength concrete - made with a high proportion of cement, resulting in higher
strength.
• Ready-mixed concrete - concrete that is delivered to a construction site already
mixed, ready to be poured.
 Types Of Concrete
• Precast concrete - concrete that is cast into a mold at a manufacturing facility and
then transported to a construction site for installation.
• Shotcrete - concrete that is pneumatically projected onto a surface.
• Self-consolidating concrete - concrete that does not require mechanical vibration for
compaction.
• Fibre-reinforced concrete - concrete that is reinforced with fibrous materials, such as
steel fibers or synthetic fibers, to improve its strength and ductility.
• Decorative concrete - concrete that is designed to have an attractive appearance and is
often used for countertops, flooring, and walls.
 Reinforced Cement Concrete
• Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) is a type of concrete in which steel
reinforcements are added to provide additional strength to the material.
There are several types of RCC, including:
• Plain Reinforced Concrete - consists of concrete and steel
reinforcements, with no special treatment or processing.
• Prestressed Concrete - involves the application of a compressive stress to
the concrete before it is subjected to external loads. This type of concrete
is commonly used in bridge construction and large building structures.
 Reinforced Cement Concrete

• Post-tensioned Concrete - similar to prestressed concrete, but the compressive

stress is applied after the concrete has been cast and cured.
• The placement of reinforcements in RCC is crucial for ensuring the structure's
strength and stability. Reinforcements are typically placed in a grid pattern, with
steel bars or rods placed in the concrete and held in place with ties or spacers.
The reinforcements are usually placed in the concrete before it is poured, but
can also be added later by cutting grooves in the concrete and filling them with
steel. The exact placement and configuration of the reinforcements will depend
on the type of structure and the loads it will be subjected to.