EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS OF RETARDING ADMIXTURE TO IMPROVE THE

PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE IN HOT WEATHER

ABSTRACT
The fresh concrete should have a suitable composition in terms of quality and quantity of cement, aggregate,
water and admixtures in order to achieve good performance in terms of shape, finish, strength, durability,
shrinkage and creep. It should also satisfy a number of requirements from the mixing stage till it is
transported, placed in formwork and compacted. Concreting in hot weather is a challenge to the construction
industry. There is a need to design optimum concrete mixes in an era of economically tight policies. The use
of admixture offers an improvement not economically attainable by adjusting the proportion of cement and
aggregates. This paper has been devoted to the study of the influence of a retarding admixture on the
properties of fresh and hardened concrete, like water absorption, porosity, density of concrete, compressive
strength, flexure strength, and workability etc. This study has provided results, which show remarkable
improvement in different properties of concrete in fresh and hardened state, and should be very helpful for
designing an economical concrete mix for hot weather conditions.
INTRODUCTION

The Performance requirements of hardened concrete are defined with respect to shape, finish, strength,
durability, shrinkage and creep. To achieve these objectives economically, the fresh concrete should have a
suitable composition in terms of quality and quantity of cement, aggregate, water and admixtures [10]. It
should also satisfy a number of requirements from the mixing stage till it is transported, placed in a formwork
and compacted.
The requirements to achieve good quality of concrete may be summarised as follows:
(i) The mix should be able to produce homogeneous fresh concrete from the constituent material of the batch
under the action of the mixing forces.
(ii The mix should be stable, in that it should not segregate during transportation and placing when it is
subjected to forces during handling operation of limited nature.
(iii) The mix should be cohesive and sufficiently mobile to be placed in the form around the reinforcement. It
should also be able to be cast into the required shape without losing continuity or its homogeneous state under
the available techniques of placing the concrete at a particular job.
(iv) The mix should be amenable to proper and thorough compaction to make a dense and compact concrete
with minimum voids under the existing facilities of compaction at the site.
(v) It should be possible to attain a satisfactory surface finish without honeycombing or blowing holes from
the formwork and free surface by trowelling and other processes.
Investigations have shown that very fine cracks at the interface between coarse aggregate and
cement paste exist even prior to application of load on the concrete. They are probably due to
the inevitable differences in mechanical properties between the coarse aggregate and the
hydrated cement paste, coupled with shrinkage or thermal movement.
The observation that micro-cracking is initiated at the interface between coarse aggregate and
the surrounding mortar and that at failure, the crack pattern includes the interface, points to
the importance of this part of the concrete. It is therefore necessary to understand the
properties and behaviour of the interface zone sometimes called the transition zone. During
mixing dry bulk of the cement particles are unable to become closely packed against the
relatively large particles of the aggregate. This situation is similar to the wall-effect at the
surface of cast concrete surfaces although on a much smaller scale. There is thus less cement
present to hydrate and fill the original voids. Its a consequence the interface zone has much
higher porosity than the hydrated cement paste further away from the coarse aggregate.

Concreting In Hot Weather

The weather conditions while casting and curing concrete may not always be ideal, but concreting is often
necessary due to time constraints, environmental factors, etc. Casting and curing concrete in a hot
environment requires special precautions to reduce the effects hot weather may have on the concrete. In
some cases, it has been reported that both the initial and final setting times are halved when the temperature
of cement mortar with water/cement (w/c) ratio of 0.6 is increased from 27 oC to 45.5 oC and other difficulties
like decrease of slump, plastic shrinkage cracking etc. may also arise [9]. The chemical hydration reaction
between the Portland cement and water is the major contributing factor that makes it difficult to cast and cure
concrete in hot environments.
Retarding admixtures or retarders are highly recommended for use in all concrete where a delay in rate of
hardening is necessary [1]. There are also problems related to early volume changes and cracking. More
specifically, fresh concrete that is allowed to prematurely dry experiences plastic shrinkage, which is
essentially contraction of the concrete. Due to this effect, cracks may develop in the surface of concrete after
the first few hours of placement. Retarders do not alter the composition or identity of products of hydration
[7]. Retarders tend to increase plastic shrinkage because the duration of the plastic stage is extended but
drying shrinkage is not affected [4]. Air temperature also affects the performance of admixture [8]. The use of
retarding admixtures is important where thin concrete sections are present. The retarding admixtures provide
more uniform setting characteristics. Since concrete setting times are dramatically influenced by ambient
temperature, the uses of retarding admixtures are strongly recommended during hot weather. These
admixtures allow for normal setting times under these conditions. The use of retarding admixtures usually
leads to higher ultimate strength in concrete.

MATERIALS USED
Cement: Ordinary Portland cement manufactured by an Omani company.
Fine aggregate: Locally available in Muscat.

Coarse aggregate: Locally available in Muscat.

Water: Potable water supplied by Muscat municipality.
Admixture: Pozzolith
Pozzolith is an admixture, which is used to enhance the properties of concrete. It is a versatile
product, which can be utilized to maintain workability and effect water reduction throughout a
range of concrete mix designs. In this study different percentages of Pozzolith are added to the
concrete mix and the variations in properties are reported. The physical properties of Pozzolith
are given in Table[1].
Table [1] Physical Properties of Pozzolith

Colour:

Dark brown/black liquid

Specific gravity:

1.194 at 25C

Air entrainment:

1-2% dependent on dosage.

Chloride content:

Nil to BS 5075

Nitrate content

Nil

Freezing point:

Flashpoint:

2C. Can be reconstituted if stirred

after leaving to thaw.

None

METHODOLOGY
In this study all the results are conducted based on the guidelines of British Standards (BS 5075
and BS1881). The conditions of hot weather are generated by keeping the temperature in the
laboratory between 35 and 40C.
Concrete cubes of dimension 150mm150mm150mm were prepared with proportions of
1:2:4.
Concrete beams of 100mm 100mm 500 mm were prepared.
The watercement ratio is kept constant at 0.5.
The coarse aggregate used is well graded. Three types of fine aggregate are used; (i) well
graded, (ii) less than 600 m, (iii) greater than 600 m.
The admixture is added to the concrete varying from 0.2%-1.2% by weight of cement.
The water added to the concrete is at room temperature.
The strength of concrete is tested after curing for 28 days.

RESULTS
The normal consistency of cement paste was determined and was found to be 35.7%. The variations in
properties of concrete in the plastic as well as hardened state are measured for different percentages of
Pozzolith and are presented in the tables below.
Table 2 Effect on initial setting time
Percentage of
Initial setting
Pozzolith (%)
time (minutes)

Table 3 Effect on workability of concrete

Percentage of
Workability
Pozzolith (%)
(mm)

85

32

0.2

89

0.2

45

0.4

95

0.4

67

0.6

102

0.6

90

0.8

108

0.8

100

1.0

111

1.0

111

1.2

112

1.2

120

Table 4 Effect on water absorption of concrete

Percentage of
Water
Pozzolith (%)
absorbed (%)

Table 5 Effect on compressive strength of concrete

Percentage of
Compressive
Pozzolith (%)
strength (N/mm2)

1.35

46.5

0.2

1.26

0.2

47.1

0.4

1.1

0.4

48.0

0.6

0.96

0.6

49.3

0.8

0.8

0.8

51.0

1.0

0.75

1.0

52.3

1.2

0.7

1.2

53.4

Table 6 Effect on flexural strength of concrete

Percentage of
Pozzolith (%)

Average flexural
strength
(N/mm2)

3.35

0.2

3.46

0.4

3.58

0.6

3.62

0.8

3.65

1.0

3.69

1.2

3.72

Table 7 Effect on performance of fine aggregate

Size of
Percentage
Average
fine
of Pozzolith
Compressive
aggregate
(%)
strength
(N/mm2)
0.0

25.3

0.8

29.6

Well
graded

0.0

46.5

0.8

51.7

> 600
m

0.0

43.1

0.8

45.5

<600 m

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Effect of Pozzolith on initial setting time
The test results obtained to study the effect of Pozzolith on initial setting time of cement are presented in
Table 2 which shows an increase in the initial setting time of cement from 85 minutes without Pozzolith to
112 minutes with 1.2% Pozzolith. This retardation of initial setting time will be very advantageous in the case
of concreting in hot weather. In case of transporting concrete from the ready-mix plant to the construction site,
it will be advantageous to have a high initial setting time. It will also be helpful in placing concrete with a
good bond in different layers.
Effect on workability and water-cement ratio

To study the effect of Pozzolith on workability of cement, concrete mixes of 1:2:4 were prepared with
different percentages of Pozzolith. Slump test was used to determine the workability and the results presented
in Table 3 and Fig. 1 show an increase in slump value with an increase in the percentage of Pozzolith. This
improvement in workability enhances the chance of getting a concrete mix of high workability with less
water-cement ratio. In normal conditions it was observed that to achieve a slump value of 67 a water-cement
ratio of 0.6 is required. Hence there is a saving of 9.4% water by adding only 0.4% of Pozzolith.
Effect on water absorption
Concrete cubes were weighed before and after curing for 28 days. The results obtained for water absorption as
a percentage of concrete are shown in Table 4 and Fig. 2. These results clearly indicate that water absorption
is inversely proportional to percentage of Pozzolith. A decrease in water absorption indicates a decrease in
porosity, which in turn increases the density of concrete. This will definitely help to reduce the permeability of
concrete and hence improvement in water-tightness of concrete.
Effect on compressive strength
The compressive strength of concrete was tested after curing the cubes for 28 days. The average value of
compressive strength as shown in Table 5 and Fig. 3 is increased from 46.5 N/mm2 to 53.4 N/mm2 with an
increase in percentage of Pozzolith associated with high workability. This will help to design a concrete mix
of high strength with less water-cement ratio.
Effect on flexural strength
Table 6 and Fig. 4 represent the variations in flexural strength of concrete as a result of adding different
percentages of Pozzolith. These results also show an increase in the value of flexural strength from 3.32
N/mm2 to 3.72 N/mm2 with an increase in the percentage of Pozzolith from 0% to 1.2% by weight of cement.
Effect on performance of fine aggregate
Different types of fine aggregates (<600 m, well graded and >600 m) were used to study the effect of
Pozzolith on the performance of fine aggregate. The results given in Table 7 show an increase in the
compressive strength by adding Pozzolith. The fine aggregate <600 m requires more water in normal
conditions whereas by the addition of Pozzolith the water requirement is reduced. The use of fine aggregate
will produce concrete of high density and less porosity, which will greatly enhance the related properties of
concrete.
CONCLUSIONS
Concreting in hot weather is a challenge to the construction industry. On the basis of the results obtained in
this study there is a clear indication of improvement in the properties of fresh and hardened concrete under hot
weather conditions. This study provides a basis for producing economical concrete mixes with a high
workability, high strength and low water-cement ratio. The addition of Pozzolith will also reduce the water
required for the curing of concrete. The retardation of the initial setting will play an important role in placing
the concrete as well as the transport of concrete from the ready-mix plant to the construction site. There will
be great saving of precious potable water, which is in high demand in countries with high temperatures for
most of the year. It will help to prevent the cold joints. It can be predicted that the chances of corrosion will
also be reduced, as the water retained in the core will be small.

Figure 1 Effect on Workability of concrete

Figure 2 Effect on water absorption

Figure 3 Effect on compressive strength

Figure 4 Effect on flexural strength

WATER QUALITY EFFECT ON CONCRETE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH:

OGUNPA STREAM WATER CASE STUDY
Gbenga Matthew Ayininuola
Department of Civil Engineering University of Ibadan, Ibadan
ayigbenga@yahoo.com or gm.ayininuola@mail.ui.edu.ng
+2348056131662
Abstract
The study centred on the effect of water quality on concrete compressive strength development with
Ogunpa stream water as a case study. Two concrete mixes 1:1:2 and 1:1.5:3 with water / cement ratio of 0.6
were investigated. Water samples from two sections of Ogunpa stream and University of Ibadan Water

Treatment Plant (potable water) were used to cast 288 concrete cubes. The cured cubes were crushed on day
7, 14, 21, 28, 56 and 84 for compressive strength estimation. The chemical constituents of the water samples
were determined in the laboratory. The results showed that the compressive strength of concrete cubes made
with potable water increased with days while those of Ogunpa stream declined after 14 day of concreting. The
chemical analyses revealed that Ogunpa stream contained high concentrations of sodium Na, potassium K,
chloride Cl-, and carbonate CO3- amongst others which led to concrete strength reduction. Consequently, proper
water analysis should be encouraged before choosing water for concrete work.
Keyword: water analyses, potable water, stream water, compressive strength, concrete mixes, concrete cubes

INTRODUCTION
The properties of concrete are vital factors, which determine to a great extent the strength and
serviceability of structures. Concrete is plastic and malleable in green state but strong and durable when
hardened. These qualities explained why concrete can be used for constructing skyscrapers, bridges, etc
(Portland Cement Association, 2005). There are many factors that determine the quality of concrete and its
strength. These include the type of cement used, aggregate quality and grading, the degree of compaction,
quality and quantity of water used in concreting, curing method, type of reinforcement embedded including its
sizes, arrangement and spacing, etc.
Of important at present is the quality of the mixing water. According to Neville (1996), the quality of
water plays a significant role; impurities in water may interfere with the setting of the cement paste; adversely
affect the strength of the concrete or cause straining on its surface, corrosion of the reinforcement. Steinour
(1960) agreed that some waters which adversely affect hardened concrete may be harmless or beneficial when
in mixing. In drawing specifications for many civil engineering projects, the water requirement is covered in a
clause saying it must be fitted for drinking.
Water fitted for drinking is generally satisfactory, but there are exceptional cases. For instance, in some
arid areas, local drinking water is saline and may contain an excessive amount of chloride, undesirable amount
of alkali carbonates and bicarbonates, which could contribute to the alkali-silica reaction (Neville, 1996).
However, some waters that are not fit for drinking may be suitable for concrete production (Portland Cement
Association, 2005). McCoy (1978) opined that water with pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 is good for concreting.
McCoy (1956) suggested the use of water with pH 9.0, which does not taste brackish in concrete work.
Furthermore, mixing water with high content of suspended solids needs to stand in a settling basin
before use; a turbidity limit of 2000ppm has been suggested by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (1975). Natural
waters that are slightly acid are harmless, but water containing humic or other organic acids may adversely
affect the hardening of concrete (Neville, 1996). Different ions have separate effect on concrete (Steinour,
1960). Doell (1954) investigated the effect of algae on concrete, which resulted to entrainment of air with a
consequent loss of concrete strength. Building Research Station (1956) reported the success recorded in the use
of water with higher salts contents such as chloride (higher than 500ppm) and trioxosulphate v (higher than
1000ppm).
Thomas and Lisk (1970) suggested that sea water slightly accelerates the setting time of cement. Water
containing large quantities of chlorides (sea water) tends to cause dampness and surface efflorescence. Such
water should not be used where appearance of concrete is of importance or where a plaster finish is to be
applied (Lea, 1956). The presence of chlorides in concrete containing embedded steel can lead to steel
corrosion (Neville, 1996). Tests on mixes with ranges of water suitable for use in concrete showed no effect on
the structure of the hydrated cement paste (Ghorab et al. 1989). Al-Manaseer et al (1988) showed that water
containing very percentages of salts of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium used in making concrete
containing Portland cement blended with fly ash did not affect the strength of concrete. Chatveera et al (2006)
utilised and recycled sludge water as mixing water for concrete production and found that concrete slump and
strength reduced drastically.
Compressive strength, mineralogy, chloride ingress, and corrosion of steel bars embedded in concrete
made with seawater and tap water were investigated based on the several long-term exposure under tidal
environment. Seawater-mixed concrete showed earlier strength gain. After 20 years of exposure, no significant
difference in the compressive strength of concrete was observed for concrete mixed with seawater and tap
water (Mohammed et al, 2004). Islam and Kaushik (1995) studied the mixing and curing effect of sea water
on setting time, compressive strength of cement-sand mortar and corresponding concrete, rebar corrosion,

chloride content and variation of alkalinity over a period of 18 months in a laboratory simulated splash/tidal
zone of marine environment. The test results indicate that sea water was not suitable for the mixing and curing
of both plain and reinforced concrete in marine conditions.
Su et al (2002) described the effect of different types of mixing water on properties of mortar and
concrete such as compressive strength, setting times and workability. The compressive strength of concrete
mixed with wash water or underground water was as good as that with tap water. Therefore, it was suggested
that underground water should be considered as mixing water for concrete and wash water be recycled where
tap water resources are scarce. The potential use of groundwater and oily production water in flowable fills
was investigated by Al-Harthy et al (2005). Flowable fill blends prepared using brackish groundwater gave
higher strength than mixes prepared using oily production water. Kumar (2000) studied the effects of the
quality of mixing water and initial curing on the strength of concrete exposed to seawater attack in marine
environment for a period of 1year. Results of this study showed that the use of precasting in place of castingin-situ mitigated the effect of marine environments on concrete specimens considerably.
Even though, the basic requirement for water for concreting is its potability; the question that comes to
mind is the availability of potable water for concreting. In developing countries, provision of water to meet
domestic demand has not been fulfilled. In urban areas, such as Ibadan, Lagos Kano etc in Nigeria, only few
percentages of the populace have access to potable or wholesome water. Ibadan city, the biggest city in West
African countries is facing with scarcity of potable water supply. The two water treatment plants are not
adequate to produce the water need. The plants are producing below installation capacities due to inadequate
power supply and other problems. If the potable water available can not meet the domestic requirement, it will
be difficult for an average contractor to comply with the requirement for mixing water in contract document.
The contractors would seek for alternative means by using available surface water once it is clean, clear and of
little or no odour for concrete work without testing its suitability.
The city of Ibadan has one major stream called Ogunpa that serves as major drain. Occasional flooding
of the stream occurred in early 1980s that instigated the need to carry out channelisation of the stream and
construction of bridges over the stream. The project started few years ago and later abandoned. Presently the
contract has been re-awarded, which involves about a several cubic metre of concrete. The quantity of water
required for the concrete works will be enormous and as such temptation may arise on the part of the
contractors to use Ogunpa stream water. Consequently, the research was conducted to determine suitability of
Ogunpa stream water for concrete work

METHODOLOGY
Samples Preparation
Well graded granite coarse aggregate of maximum size 19mm was obtained from a granite quarry
located in Ibadan and stockpiled. The fine aggregate, marine deposit was obtained from a stream located in the
University of Ibadan, air dried and stockpiled. About four bags of ordinary Portland cement were purchased for
the research work. Enough formworks (moulds) made of wood of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were
prepared with the inside coated with oil.
The concentration of chemicals in the stream water was expected to be higher during dry weather flow
than in wet weather. Also, the dry weather flow in Ibadan would reach its peak in January. Consequently,
water for the research was collected in the month of January at two designated points in Ogunpa stream. The
collection points were (i) Felele (lower Ogunpa) labelled A and (ii) Ogunpa market Oke Bola area (Middle
Ogunpa) labelled B. Potable water was also collected at the University of Ibadan Water treatment Plant labelled
C for production of controlled concrete cubes. The water samples were stored in three different black kegs.
Representative samples from the three black kegs were set aside for chemical analyses.
Concrete Production
Two major concrete mix ratios were investigated namely 1:1:2 and 1::3. The batching of materials for
concreting was done by weighing. The mixing of concrete constituents (water, cement and aggregate) was
manually done on a hard surface to produce homogeneous fresh concrete. Water / cement ratio of 0.6 was
adopted throughout the concrete cubes production.
Concrete cubes production was carried out in accordance with BS 1881: Part 108: 1983. Each layer of
concrete received 35 strokes of a 25mm square steel prunner. The cubes 288 in number still in moulds were left
overnight at room temperature. At the end of this period, the moulds were stripped and the cubes were further

cured in bath filled with potable water by completely immersion throughout the cubes compressive strength
determination period.
Compressive Strength Test
The cured cube was placed with the cast faces in contact with the platens of the universal testing
machine electrically operated. In accordance with BS 1881: Part 116:1983, the load on the cube was applied at
constant rate of stress equal to 0.26MPa/sec. The force or load that resulted to failure of each cube was taken
and used in calculating the compressive strength. The test was carried out at end of 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 56th and
84th day of concreting.
Water Samples Analyses
These representative water samples were taken to laboratory for analyses. The parameters monitored
were sodium Na, potassium K, calcium Ca, sulphate SO 42-, nitrate NO3-, carbonate CO3-, bicarbonate HCO3-,
chloride Cl-, fluoride Fl-, phosphate PO4-, iron Fe, acidity, pH, manganese levels amongst others.
The level of acidity of water sample was obtained by titrating a known quantity of tested sample with
barium hydroxide. The presence of nitrate was determined by the addition of phenol-di-sulphonic acid with
potassium hydroxide to a known quantity of tested sample. The colour formed was compared with standard
colours. The chloride content of each water sample was measured by adding to a known sample volume of
1.5ml of K2CrO4 and titrating the resulting solution with silver nitrate solution. The amount of iron, manganese
and other metals in each water sample were determined by adding a colouring agent to the sample and
comparing with solution of known amount of metal. Other monitored parameters were determined in line with
laid down standard.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The chemical constituents of the three water samples were determined immediately the cubes were
cast. The results of the chemical properties of the water samples are displayed in Table 1. At the end of 7th,
14th, 21st, 28th, 56th and 84th days, eights cubes from each mix type and water sample were taking for
compressive strength determination. Altogether, 48 cubes were crushed at every test day. At the end of 84th
day, 288 cubes had been crushed. The results of the compressive strength of concrete cubes were displayed in
Table 2.
Table 1: Water test results
Parameter tested
(mg/l)
Sodium, Na
Potassium, K
Calcium, Ca
Sulphate, SO42Nitrate, NO3
Carbonate, CO3
Bicarbonate, HCO3
Chloride, Cl
Fluoride, Fl
Phosphate, PO4
Iron, Fe
Copper, Cu
Magnesium, Mg
Manganese, Mn
Zinc, Zn
Lead, Pb
Cadmium, Cd
Acidity
pH

UI potable
water
230.0
310.0
200.0
15.1
0.11
270.0
260.0
220.0
1.1
27.5
1.3
1.3
0.9
1.1
1.3
0.11
0.09
0.06
6.7

Middle Ogunpa
water
650.0
760.0
310.0
19.5
0.14
450.0
970.0
270.0
1.6
38.0
1.7
1.8
1.1
1.3
1.5
1.2
1.4
0.14
9.6

Lower Ogunpa
water
720.0
780.0
350.0
20.3
0.18
520.0
1010.0
320.0
1.7
40.0
1.8
1.9
1.5
1.5
1.7
1.4
1.6
0.16
9.8

Except pH and level of acidity, the unit is mg/l

Table 2 The cubes compressive strength
Period of Water Concrete
Compressive Strength (N/mm2)
cube
crushing
7th day

sample

mix

minimum

type
UI water
1:1:2
MO water
LO water
UI water
1:1.5:3
MO water
LO water
14th day
UI water
1:1:2
MO water
LO water
UI water
1:1.5:3
MO water
LO water
21st day
UI water
1:1:2
MO water
LO water
UI water
1:1.5:3
MO water
LO water
th
28 day
UI water
1:1:2
MO water
LO water
UI water
1:1.5:3
MO water
LO water
56th day
UI water
1:1:2
MO water
LO water
UI water
1:1.5:3
MO water
LO water
84th day
UI water
1:1:2
MO water
LO water
UI water
1:1.5:3
MO water
LO water
MO = Middle Ogunpa; LO = Lower Ogunpa

24.2
24.0
22.4
19.8
20.1
19.3
27.4
26.4
25.6
25.4
21.7
21.1
34.1
23.7
22.9
28.7
21.8
20.7
41.5
22.6
18.7
33.1
20.1
18.9
47.6
18.9
18.2
38.9
18.7
18.1
49.6
17.9
16.8
42.6
16.9
16.2

maximum
27.7
25.2
24.1
22.6
21.5
20.7
30.5
28.3
26.8
27.7
23.6
22.3
36.3
25.2
24.0
31.8
23.7
22.1
44.7
24.1
20.4
34.0
22.0
20.0
49.3
20.3
19.7
41.7
20.8
19.4
52.1
19.4
18.2
44.8
18.0
17.5

mean
26.0
24.9
23.2
21.4
20.9
20.2
29.0
27.2
26.1
26.6
23.6
21.9
35.1
24.1
23.5
30.5
22.4
21.5
43.2
23.7
19.8
34.1
20.6
19.2
48.5
19.7
19.3
40.1
19.1
18.8
51.6
18.8
17.8
43.2
17.6
16.7

The results got from the chemical analyses showed that the three water samples have different
concentrations of chemical composition. The concentrations of chemicals in water sample at Lower Ogunpa
stream were higher than that of the middle one as a result of discharging of more wastewater into the stream at
this section. Moreover, the chemical properties of potable water from the University of Ibadan Water
Treatment Plant were lower than that of water from Ogunpa stream. The concentration of Na and K of Ogunpa
stream almost doubled that of potable water. The level of acidity, pH, CO 3- and HCO3- of water at Lower
Ogunpa were higher than that of Middle one due to presence of more impurities as water moves downstream.
The compressive strength of cubes produced with potable water increased with ages as shown in
Figures 1 and 2. Pre-28 days, the increment in strength was very rapid but beyond, its rate of strength
development reduces as expected for a normal concrete. On the other hand, the strength development of cubes
cast with Ogunpa stream water was not as that rapid on comparing with those of potable water as shown in
Figures 1 and 2. The cubes started to loose compressive strength after 14 th day of concreting. The highest

compressive strength for concrete cubes of mix ratio 1:1:2 cast with water got from Middle Ogunpa was
27.2N/mm2 whilst that of Lower Ogunpa was 26.1N/mm2.
Referring to Table 2 for concrete mix ratio of 1:1:2, the expected compressive strength should be
40N/mm2 or thereabout. Only cubes cast with potable water have mean compressive strength of 43.2N/mm 2.
On the other hand, the 28th day mean compressive strengths of concrete cubes of mix ratio 1:1.5:3 cast with
water from Middle and Lower Ogunpa were 20.6 and 19.2N/mm2 respectively. For a normal concrete cube of
mix ratio 1:1.5:3, the expected 28th day compressive strength should be 30N/mm2 or thereabout. This shows
clearly that the water from Ogunpa stream contains chemicals that retard development of concrete compressive
strength. On comparing with chemical constituents of portable water, these can be attributed to the presence of
very high concentrations of Na, K, SO 42-, Cl-, CO3-, HCO3- and PO4- . In addition, the level of acidity of
Ogunpa stream water was higher than that of potable water. Moreover, the Ogunpa stream water has high pH
value prohibiting its usefulness in concrete production. The compressive strength values of cubes cast with
water from Lower Ogunpa stream were lower than that of Middle Ogunpa. This can traced to presence of
higher concentrations of K, Na, SO42-, CO3- and Cl- in water at Lower Ogunpa stream section.

Figure 1: Compressive strength of concrete cubes with mix 1:1:2

Figure 2: Compressive strength of concrete cubes with mix 1:1.5:3

Conclusions
An in-depth study of the effect of water obtained from two sections of Ogunpa stream on concrete
compressive strength has been carried out. The following facts emerged:

Ogunpa stream water contains high concentration of chemicals that inhibit the development of
concrete compressive strength.

In general, for all construction that involves using concrete, the need to investigate suitability of water
proposed for concrete work prior to commencement of work should be strengthened by all structural and
civil engineers.

Potable water is relatively scarced in developing and third world countries, the temptation is always
there to use available water. The engineers-in-charge of construction work should ensure that contractors
comply strictly with specification of water for concrete work

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