CONCRETE

CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

IDURA/JKA/PSA

DEFINITION OF CONCRETE
Concrete is a construction material made of:
Cement Course aggregate Fine aggregate Water Admixture (sometimes being used)

It is mixed according in certain ratio and hardened to form a stone like mass.

HISTORY OF CONCRETE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING -THE ROMAN CONSTRUCTION Concrete structure was largely built in the Roman empire. It was found during this reign due to the discovery and usage of volcanic ash mixed with sands and rubbles which hardens with the presence of water. Roman concrete consisted of just three materials:
a pasty, hydrated lime; pozzolan ash from a nearby volcano pieces of fist-sized rock.

PANTHEON OF ROME
The huge dome stands at 43 metres high with the same span

THE INNER VIEW OF PANTHEONS DOME

THE COLOSSEUM
Concrete as a construction material has enabled the erection of a huge curvy walls such as this famous historical landmarks.

BEFORE CONCRETE WAS FOUND

Walls opening/doors were mostly framed by bricks or stone which has limited shape and not perfectly arched.

EXAMPLE OF MODERN CONCRETE STRUCTURES

The invention of concrete has ever since change the landscape of construction . Concrete technology has also enable engineers to build arch, vaults, dome and long span beams.

CORONADO BRIDGE

Quality Of Concrete Mixture

The quality of a concrete mixture depends on:
the quality of materials used Mixing ratio / materials composition Volume of water Mixing method Transportation method Formwork quality Compaction method Placement/storage method Treatment method

Concrete Mixture
Cement :
Portland cement (hardens in 7 days. Commonly used in Malaysia. Made of sillica, allumina, clay and lime) Modified cement (commonly used in USA) Rapid hardening cement (hardens in 3 days) Low heat cement ( to avoid cracking caused by uneven heat release ) Sulphate resisting cement (used for concrete structure in seaside)

Concrete Mixture
Coarse aggregate:
Sand, gravel, crushed stone, crushed hydraulic, cement concrete of size 5mm- 50mm

Fine aggregate:
Aggregate passing 9.5mm sieve (usually, sand is used)

Admixture:
A material used as an ingredient of concrete before or during the mixing operation to enhance certain properties of concrete workability or strength.

Concrete Mix Ratio According To Its Use

Mix Ratio Use
1:1 : 3 1:2:4 1:3:6 1:5:10
Pre-stressed concrete Reinforced concrete for column, beam and others Floor, concrete mass and others Base for hard soil foundation and concrete base for cantilever floor slabs

CONCRETE TERMINOLOGY
Water-cement ratio: The amount of water (by weight) absorbed by the aggregates, to the amount of Portland Cement in a concrete mixture.
*Stated as decimal

CONCRETE TERMINOLOGY
Workability
The property of freshly mixed concrete or mortar which determines the ease and homogeneity with which it can be mixed, placed, compacted and finished.

CONCRETE TERMINOLOGY
Concrete Setting Time The time required for a specimen of concrete to attain a specified degree of rigidity

CONCRETE TERMINOLOGY
Concrete Hardening Time The chemical reaction between water and cement in concrete paste binds the aggregates together and becomes hard. The time required for this process to reach its peak depends on the presence of moisture which adds up to the strength of the mixture.

REFERENCES
1. http://www.djc.com/news/co/11133038.html