Concrete

-Nilanjan Mitra
 Concrete

Concrete is itself a composite material. It is composed of

aggregate and is chemically bound together by hydrated
Portland cement.
Maximum size of gravel:
Building construction = ¾ of an inch
Aggregate = Sand + Gravel. Bridge = 1 to 1 ½ inches

Concrete = Sand + Gravel + Water + Cement

cyclic tension compression response envelope
3

2.5

1.5
stress (ksi)

0.5

-0.5
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
strain -3
x 10
Workability Workability depends on
• Consistency • Proportion of aggregates
• Mobility • Physical characteristics of aggregate and cement
• Compactibility • Equipment for mixing, transporting and compacting
• Size and shape of structure

Workability increases with

• high cement content (not so sensitive)
• increased quantity of fine materials
• decrease in amount and surface area of coarse aggregates
• increase in water content

Problems of workability
• Segregation
• Bleeding
 The requirements which form the basis of selection and proportioning of mix
ingredients are :
• a ) The minimum compressive strength required from structural
consideration
• b) The adequate workability necessary for full compaction with the
compacting equipment available.
• c) Maximum water-cement ratio and/or maximum cement content to give
adequate durability for the particular site conditions
• d) Maximum cement content to avoid shrinkage cracking due to
temperature cycle in mass concrete.

A concrete mix of proportions 1:2:4 means that cement, fine and coarse aggregate are in the
ratio 1:2:4 or the mix contains one part of cement, two parts of fine aggregate and four parts
of coarse aggregate. The proportions are either by volume or by mass. The water-cement ratio
is usually expressed in mass
Curing of fresh concrete to make hardened concrete

Concrete curing should be done at 70 deg F for at least 7 days and kept
continuously moist after initial set. (ACI 5.11). It gains 75% of its final strength
In roughly 28 days.

Moisture and Temp. => Influences process of concrete curing

 Problems of improper curing: Shrinkage
• associated with loss of moisture from the gel particles of the paste

Effects:
• if unrestrained, shortening of members => loss of prestress
• if restrained, induced tension, cracking.
• if asymmetric (eg. slabs on grade), curling and cracking
Reduction of shrinkage:
low w/c ratio
high aggregate content
proper curing
high pressure steam curing over normal curing (better results)
water reducing admixtures decrease shrinkage
retarding admixtures increase shrinkage

Creep: Time dependant increase in deformation due to sustained loading.

can occur in all types of loading : compression, tension, torsion
The earlier the age at which loading is applied, the larger the creep
creep higher in wet conditions than in dry conditions
After load withdrawn : immediate recovery – elastic ;
delayed recovery – creep recovery

• strength
• durability
• Mix proportions
• modulus of elasticity
• curing conditions
• creep
• environment
• shrinkage
• impermeability
 Air entrained concrete
Produced by using 1) air entraining cement or 2) air entraining agent.
Air entraining agent enhances the incorporation of bubbles of various sizes by
lowering surface tension of mixing water.
Effects of increase in entrained air on concrete properties:
Bleeding --- significantly reduced
Bond to steel ---- reduced
compressive strength --- reduced approx 2-6% per % point increase in air
flexural strength --- reduced approx 2-4% per % point increase in air
freeze-thaw resistance --- significantly improved
modulus of elasticity --- decreases
slump ---- increases
sulfate resistance --- significantly improved
unit weight --- decreases
water demand --- decreases for same slump
workability --- increases
Factors affecting air-content:
cement content, fineness increase --- decreases air content
high alkali cements entrain more air than low alkali cements
smaller aggregate size --- air content increases (no change beyond 1.5 in)
more amount of fine aggregates ---- increases air content
Factors affecting air content
mixing water increase ---- generates air bubbles --- more air content
increase in vibration --- reduction in air content
for constant amount of air-entraining admixture --- increase in slump increase
air content up to about 6-7 in.
concrete temp increase ---- less air entrained
Concrete admixtures
Ingredients in concrete other than portland cement, water and aggregates which are
added to the mixture immediately before or during mixing.
Types of admixtures:
Air entraining admixtures
water reducing admixtures --- water/cement ratio reduced --- strength increase
(plasticizer(8-15%), super-plasticizer (15-30%))
Retarding admixture --- retard rate of setting of concrete --- control heat
of hydration --- hot weather application
Accelerating admixtures --- accelerate strength development at early stage
---- cold weather applications and underwater applications
Waterproofing admixtures --- cause capillary contraction resulting in impervious
concrete (Aquaproof, cico, impermo)
Mineral admixtures
cementitous material --- granulated blast furnace slag,
hydrated lime.
pozzolonic material --- siliceous or aluminosiliceous material,
in presence of water reacts with CaOH2 to form compound possessing cementitious
properties -- fly ash, silica fume
nominally inert materials --- raw quartz, dolomite, limestone
 Fibers in concrete

Lime
Quicklime

Hydrated lime / slaked lime

Carbonation of hydrated lime results in calcium carbonate  cementing properties

Sand added to lime  increase in bulk (leads to economy)

to make mortar porous, so that air can circulate resulting in better carbonation

Eminently hydraulic lime : structural work such as arch, dome

Semi-hydraulic lime : constructing masonry
Fat lime & Dolomite lime: finishing coat in plastering, white wash
Kankar lime : masonry lime
Siliceous Dolomite lime : undercoat and finishing coat of plaster
 Mortar and Plaster
Primary property : Bonding agent under different loading condition

Masonry mortar
Table1. Mix proportions by volume for mortar
Mortar type Sand Cement Lime
M 3 ½ parts 1 part ¼ parts
S 4 ½ parts 1 part ½ parts
N 6 parts 1 part 1 part
O 9 parts 1 part 2 part

Strength of mortar depends on strength of blocks it is binding. Should not be too off.
Cement-sand mix ratio (Cement mortar)
Damp-proof course -- 1:2
General brickwork -- 1:6
Stone masonry – 1:6
Brickwork below ground – 1:3 – 1:4
Cement plaster
Brickwork plaster (inside + outside) – 1:5
R.C. Plaster – 1:4