Table No.

ACI Recommended Maximum Permissible Water-Cement Ratios For Different Types Of Structures And Degres Of Exposure* Exposure conditions** Severe Wide range in temperature, or Mild temperature rarely below freezing, or frequent alternations of freezing and thawing rainy, or arid (air-entrained concrete only) Type of structures In air At water line or within range of fluctuating water level or spray In fresh water In sea water or in contact with sulfatest In air At water line or within range of fluctuating water level or spray In fresh water

A. Thin sections such as reinforced piles and pipe 0.49 B. Bridge decks C. Thin sections such as railings, curbs, sills, ledges, ornamental or architectural concrete, and all sections with less than 1-inch. Concrete cover over reinforcement. D. Moderate sections, such as retaning walls, abutments, piers, girders, beams E. Exterior portions of heavy (mass) sections F. Concrete deposited by tremie under water. G. Concrete slabs laid on the ground. H. Concrete protected from the weather, interiors of buildings, concrete below ground. I. Concrete which will later be protected by enclosure or backfill but which may be exposed to freezing and thawing for several years before such protection is offered. 0.44 0.49 0.53 0.58 _ 0.53 ' 0.53 0.44 0.44 __ 0.49 0.49 0.44 _ _ _ 0.40 0.40 _ 0.44 0.44 0.44 _ _ _ 0.53 0.49 0.53 ' ' _ ' ' ' 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.53 0.53 0.44 _ _ _

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Table No.2

osure*

ture rarely below freezing, or rainy, or arid

water line or within range of ctuating water level or spray In sea water or in contact with sulfatest

0.4 0.44 _ 0.44 0.44 0.44 _ _ _

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*Adapted from Recommended Practice for Selecting Propotions for Concrete (ACI 613-54). **Air-entrained concrete should be used under all conditions involving severe exposure and may be used under mild exposure conditions to improve workability of the mixture. Soil or groundwater containing sulfate concentrations of more than 0.2 percent. For moderate sulfate resistance, the tricalcium aluminate content of the cement should be limited to 8 percent, and for high sulfate resistance to 5 percent. At equal cement contents, air-entrained concrete is significantly more resistant to sulfate attack than non-air-entrained concrete.

' Water-cement ratio should be selected on basis of strength and workability requirements, but minimum cement content should not be less than 470 Ib. per cubic yard.

Table No.3 CSA Recommended Maximum Permissible Water-Cement Ratios For Concrete Exposed To Soils And Groundwaters Relative degree of sulfate attack Negligible Positive (mild) Considerable Severe Sulfate present (as SO4) in samples Percent in Soil Parts per million in groundwater 0.00 to 0.10 0 to 150 0.10 to 0.20 150 to 1000 0.20 to 0.50 1000 to 2000 Over 0.50 Over 2000 Water-cement ratio _ 0.50 0.50 0.45

*Adapted from Standards for Cencrete and Reinforced Concrete (CSA A23).

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