ARV4203 - BUILDING MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION-III

UNIT 1 – BUILDING MATERIALS

CONCRETE & R.C.C

Ar. Shraddha Bahukhandi

 CONCRETE AND RCC - OVERVIEW

1. Introduction on concrete

2. Composition of concrete
2.1 Cement
2.2 Aggregates
2.3 Admixtures
2.4 Water

3. Water – Cement Ratio

4. Grades of concrete

5. Advantages & Dis-advantages

6. Properties of concrete
6.1 Strength
6.2 Durability
6.3 Workability
 CONCRETE AND RCC - OVERVIEW

7. Testing Concrete
8. Types of concrete:
8.1 On the basis of binding material
8.2 On the basis of concrete design

9. Use of concrete in different works

10. Concrete Preparation

10.1 Batching
10.2 Mixing
10.3 Transportation
10.4 Placing
10.5 Compaction
10.6 Curing

11. Qualities of good concrete

12. Applications of concrete

 CONCRETE - INTRODUCTION

Concrete ( meaning - condensed / compacted) – Composite construction material

CEMENT AGGREGATES WATER ADMIXTURES

•The water reacts with the cement, which bonds the other components together eventually
creating a stone-like material , this is called HYDRATION .
•Concrete has many applications and is used to make pavements , Concrete section
pipe , structures foundations, roads, bridges /overpasses , walls
and footings for gates etc.
 COMPOSITION - CEMENT

•CEMENT , also called Matrix is the binding material used in concrete. Mostly ordinary Portland
Cement or Lime Cement is used.
• Cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials
together.
• It should always be measured by weight and not by volume.
• Cement is supplied in bags, each bag of cement weighing 50kg and the volume of cement in one bag
is 0.0347 cum (35 liters).

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 COMPOSITION - AGGREGATES

• AGGREGATES are used as filler with binding material, derived from rocks. They form the body of
the concrete and reduce shrinkage.

• Most of aggregates are naturally occurring

aggregates such as crushed rock, gravel and
stone and Artificial or processed aggregates
may be broken bricks, slag.

Depending upon the size the

aggregates are classified as :
i. Fine aggregates
ii. Course aggregates

• Aggregates account for 60 – 70% of the total volume of concrete.

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 COMPOSITION - AGGREGATES

Fine aggregates: Course aggregates:

•Aggregate size less than 4.75 •Aggregate size more than 4.75

•Generally consists of natural sand •Generally consists of gravels and

or crushed stones with most crushed stones. The size of
particles passing through sieve. aggregates depend upon the nature
of work.

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 COMPOSITION - ADMIXTURES

Chemical admixtures are the ingredients in concrete other than Portland cement, water, and
aggregate that are added to the mix immediately before or during mixing.

The use of admixtures offers certain beneficial effects to concrete like improved workability,
acceleration or retardation of setting time, reduce water cement ratio, and so on.

There are two basic types of admixtures available: chemical & mineral admixtures.

Mineral admixtures Admixtures like flyash, silicate fume, slag comes in the category of.

Chemical admixtures are added to concrete in very small amounts , broadly categorized as super
plasticizers, accelerators, retarders, water reducers etc.
 COMPOSITION - WATER
• Water acts as a lubricant for the fine and coarse aggregates and reacts with
cement to form the binding paste for the aggregate and the reinforcement. It is
normally measured by volumes .
• It is also used for the curing of concrete after it has been cast into the forms.
• Potable water is generally used for mixing and curing of the concrete.
• Less water in cement paste gives a stronger , more durable concrete
• More water will give free flowing concrete with less strength.

CONCRETE BEING MIXED WITH WATER WATER BEING ADDED INTO THE HOOVER
 Water – Cement Ratio :
• Water cement ratio is the ratio of the volume of water to volume of cement used in
a concrete mix.
• To a great extent Strength and workability of concrete depends on W/C ratio.
• Lower the ratio, the greater is the strength of the mix.
• If water used is less then the strength of concrete get reduced, the resultant
concrete will be comparatively dry, difficult to place in position and may pose
problems in compaction. Similarly, if the amount of water is more than it would
result in the formation of excessive voids, thereby reducing its density, strength and
durability.

Grades of concrete :

• IS 456-2000 has designated the concrete mixes into a number of grades as M10,
M15, M20, M25, M30, M35, M40. In this designation the letter M refers to the mix
and the number to the specified 28 day cube strength of mix in N/mm sq.
• The mixes of grades M10, M15, M20, M25 correspond approximately to the mix
proportions (1:3:6), (1:2:4), (1:1.5:3) & (1:1:2) respectively.
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

As a construction material Concrete has the following advantages:

1. Concrete can handle the compression stresses 10 times more than the tension and the
most of loads in our life is compression.
2. Concrete is a brittle material which gives the advantage to make a rigid structure.
3. Easy to handle over, there are plants that give you ready mix concrete.
4. It also gains strength as it ages.

Disadvantages:

1. Concrete is weak in handling tension.

2. Because concrete is a brittle material the strength upon shear (specially at 45 degrees)
must be checked.
3. Needs another material to reinforce it against excessive shear and tension,
 PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE :

Strength
The Pantheon , Rome
• Concrete must be strong enough to withstand all kinds of
imposed load without injury with required factor of
safety.
• If the concrete mix has been designed on the basis of
maximum permissible water-cement ratio, keeping in
view the requirements of durability, it will attain its
required strength if properly placed in position and cured
at proper temperature.
Hover dam , Arizona

Los Manantiales Restaurant Sydney Opera House

Durability

It is the property of concrete by virtue of which it is capable of resisting its disintegration

and decay which may be caused due to:
• Use of unsound cement
• Use of less durable aggregate
• Entry of harmful gases and salts through the pores
and voids present in the concrete.
• Freezing and thawing of water sucked through the
cracks by capillary actions.
• Expansion and contraction resulting from temperature
changes and alternate drying and wetting.

Hence, concrete can be made durable by using quality of materials, by reducing the
extent of voids, by suitable grading and proportionating the materials, by using adequate
quantity of cement and lower water cement ratio.
 Workability
It is the most important property of concrete. In simple form, a concrete is said to be
workable if it is easily mixed, handled, transported, placed in position and compacted.
A workable concrete must be fluid enough so that it can be compacted with minimum
labor.

A workable concrete does not result in bleeding and segregation.

Bleeding of concrete takes place when the excess of water in
the mix comes up at the surface and segregation is caused
when coarse aggregates have a tendency to separate from the
fine segregates.
Workability of concrete is affected by following:
• By reducing the proportion of coarse aggregate : finer will be the aggregate greater
will be the workability.
• Shape of aggregates: rounded makes a concrete mix more workable than the
angular one.
• By increasing the quantity of water to such limits that the
water cement ratio is maintained.
• By increasing the quantity cement.
• By the process of mixing.
The workability of concrete can be measured by the following
tests:
1. Slump test
2. Compaction factor test
3. Vee- Bee test

CONCRETE PARKING
 SLUMP TEST :

Concrete slump test is to determine the workability or consistency of concrete mix prepared at the
laboratory or the construction site during the progress of the work. Concrete slump test is carried
out from batch to batch to check the uniform quality of concrete during construction.

PROCEDURE FOR CONCRETE SLUMP TEST:

 SLUMP TEST RESULTS :

Following are the shape of the concrete slump that can be observed:

True Slump – True slump is the only slump that can be measured in the test. The measurement is
taken between the top of the cone and the top of the concrete after the cone has been removed
as shown in figure above.
Zero Slump – Zero slump is the indication of very low water-cement ratio, which results in dry
mixes. These type of concrete is generally used for road construction.
Collapsed Slump – This is an indication that the, water-cement ratio is too high i.e. concrete mix is
too wet or it is a high workability mix, for which a slump test is not appropriate.
Shear Slump – The shear slump indicates that the result is incomplete, and concrete to be
retested.
 TYPES OF CONCRETE AND ITS USES

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO BINDING MATERIAL:

According to binding material used concrete are classified into two types.
(1) Cement concrete (2) lime concrete.

1) CEMENT CONCRETE
The concrete consisting of cement, sand and coarse aggregates mixed in a suitable
proportions in addition to water is called cement concrete. In this type of concrete cement is
used as a binding material, sand as fine aggregates and gravel, crushed stones as coarse
aggregates.
In cement concrete useful proportions of its ingredients are
1 part cement:1-8 part sand:2-16 parts coarse aggregates.

USES
cement concrete is commonly used in buildings and other important engineering works
where strength and durability is of prime importance.
2) LIME CONCRETE

The concrete consisting of lime, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates mixed in a suitable
proportions with water is called lime concrete.
In this type of concrete hydraulic lime is generally used as a binding material, sand and cinder
are used as fine aggregates and broken bricks, gravel can be used as coarse aggregates.

PLACING OF LIME CONCRETE :

Placing of concrete shall be completed within three hours of adding water in case of concrete is
prepared with hydraulic lime.
Concrete should be well cured for a period of at least 10 days.

USES:
Lime concrete is generally used for the sake of economy in foundation works, under floors, over
roof and where cement is not cheaply and easily available in required quantity.
 TYPES OF CONCRETE AND ITS USES

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO DESIGN OF CONCRETE

(1) Plain cement concrete(PCC).
(2) Reinforced cement concrete(RCC).

1) PLAIN CEMENT CONCRETE (PCC)

The cement concrete in which no reinforcement is
provided is called plain cement concrete or mass
cement concrete. PCC is also called as Cement
Concrete (CC) or Blinding Concrete.

USES:
Plain cement concrete is commonly used in for foundation work, concrete roads flooring of
buildings etc.
 WHY PLAIN CEMENT CONCRETE IS NOT USED IN MAJOR CONSTUCTION ?

Concrete has enormous compressive strength - the ability to withstand heavy weights or forces
on it.
But it has almost no tensile strength - the ability to withstand pressing or stretching.

Concrete can resist the compression, but will break under the tension. Concrete cracks in roads
and slabs are largely due to tension

To give concrete tensile strength -- to support beams in a

bridge or building, reinforcing steel is added. Steel has
great tensile strength; it bends without breaking.

The combination produces the strength needed for bridge

girders, roadways, building walls and other construction.
To solve this problem , RCC & Pre stressed concrete is used.
2) REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE(RCC)

The cement concrete in which reinforcement is embedded for taking tensile stress is called
reinforced cement concrete.
In this type of concrete the steel reinforcement is to be used generally in the form of round
bars,6mm to 32mm dia. This concrete is equally strong in taking tensile, compressive and shear
stresses.

Usual proportions of ingredients in a reinforced concrete are

1part of cement:1-2parts of sand:2-4parts of crushed stones or gravel.

USES: RCC is commonly used for construction slabs ,

beams , columns , foundation precast concrete etc.

NOTE : Stress is a quantity of deforming force applied on an object per unit area.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK GRADE OF CONCRETE

Concrete in columns, beams 1 : 1.5 : 3

Water retaining structures,

Piles, precast work or dense Concrete. 1 : 1.5 : 3

RCC beams, slabs, columns 1:2:4

Foundations for buildings, 1:3:6

Mass reinforced works.

For mass concrete work. 1:4:8

 How Is Concrete Prepared ?

The operation involved in the production and

execution of the items of concrete can be broadly
divided in following stages:

i. Batching of materials
ii. Mixing of concrete
iii. Transportation of mixed concrete
iv. Placing of concrete
v. Compaction of Concrete
vi. Curing of concrete

Batching of materials
BATCHING MACHINE
• In order to ensure uniformity in the quality of concrete it is
necessary that all materials that go into its production are
measured accurately.
• Batching of material can be done manually or by batching
plant.
 MIXING OF CONCRETE

• Thorough mixing is essential for the production of uniform, high-quality concrete of correct
proportions and consistency.

Mixing of Concrete

Hand - mixing Machine - mixing

 HAND MIXING

• Mixing is done manually on a steel plate, 2m x 2m in size or on a clean hard water

tight surface. The method is resorted to when the quantity of concrete needed for the work is
small.

• Sand and Cement in appropriate proportions are mixed first in dry state. The coarse aggregate is
then added and the whole mixture is mixed thoroughly with the help shovels

• The predetermined amount of water is then sprinkled over the mix , till the color of concrete
obtained is homogeneous and workable mix is obtained.
 MACHINE MIXING

• Concrete should normally be mixed in a mechanical mixer. The main part of the mixer is a drum
in which the ingredients are mixed thoroughly by mechanically rotating the drum. The drum is
made of steel plates, with a number of blades put in inclined position in the drum.

• The mixers are either operated electrically or else are driven by oil engines attached to them.

• Coarse aggregate should be fed first, then sand and lastly cement.
• In revolving state, when the three get thoroughly mixed, water should be added.
• Mixing should be continued until there is a uniform distribution of materials.
 TRANSPORTING CONCRETE

• Not all concrete is mixed on the actual construction site and could require some significant
travel.
• Concrete should be handled from the place of mixing to the place of final deposition as rapidly
as practical , by methods which will prevent the segregation or loss of any of the ingredients.
• If the segregation does occur during transport, the concrete should be remixed before being
placed.

• The main objective in transporting concrete is to ensure that

the water-cement ratio, slump or consistency, air content, and
homogeneity are not modified from their intended states
 PLACING OF CONCRETE

• After mixing of concrete it should be placed within 30min of adding of water.

• It should be quickly transported to the place .
• Before placing concrete, it should be ensured that forms are rigid, in their correct
position, well cleaned and oiled.
• Oiling of these forms will prevent the concrete from sticking to it, and will then be easier
to remove the forms when they are no longer required.
• In placing, the surface is coated with neat cement grout after which concrete is laid in thin
uniform layers. Each layer being thoroughly consolidated, before the next one is laid.
•When work has to be resumed on a surface which has hardened, such surface should be
roughened, then be swept clean, thoroughly wetted and covered with a 13 mm layer of mortar,
composed of cement & sand in the same ratio as in case of concrete.

•Concrete should not be dropped from a height as it would cause segregation of aggregates.

•In case concrete has more of water or it has been laid in thick layers then on compaction water
and fine particles of cement comes at the top forming a layer of weak substance known as
laitance
 COMPACTION OF CONCRETE

• The removal of entrapped air during production of concrete and the uniform dense
arrangement of the constituents of concrete are effected during the compacting of
corners.
• The density, strength and durability of concrete depend upon this operation.
• Concrete should be thoroughly compacted during the operation of placing , worked
around reinforcements , embedded fixtures and into corners of form work.
• Concrete is compacted by vibrators, during which vibration of low amplitude is caused in
concrete making it fluid in nature , filling all the air gaps to make concrete more stable
and strong.

• Vibrators are of 3 general types :

1. Internal vibrators
2. External vibrators
3. Surface vibrators
 COMPACTION OF CONCRETE

•Internal or immersion vibrators consists of a vibrating element enclosed in a casing which is

immersed in fresh concrete & transmit vibrations
•External or form vibrators are fastened to the form work by a clamping device & transmit
vibrations to concrete through form.
•Table or surface vibrators ,mostly used in precast concrete members. They vibrate the entire
mass of concrete uniformly through working platform.

•Over vibration or vibration of very wet mixes is harmful & should be avoided.
•Alternatively, concrete may be compacted manually by rodding , hammering etc.
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Improperly consolidated Concrete
 CURING OF CONCRETE

• The process of keeping concrete wet to enable it to attain full strength is known as curing.
• The objective of curing is to prevent loss of moisture from concrete due to evaporation or
because of any other reasons.
• Curing should be done for a period of three weeks but not less then 10 days.
• Efficient curing increases impermeability , durability and also increases resistance of
concrete , reduces shrinkage

• To do curing, any one of the following method can be used.

i. The surface is coated with a layer of bitumen or similar other waterproofing compound
which gets into the pores of concrete and prevent loss of water from concrete.
ii. Concrete surface is covered with waterproof paper or with a layer of wet sand. It could
also be covered with gunny bags.
 CURING OF CONCRETE

A common misconception is that concrete dries as it sets, but the opposite is true - damp concrete
sets better than dry concrete.
Membrane curing
Concrete slab ponded while curing

Covering concrete surfaces with gunny bags

 QUALITIES OF GOOD CONCRETE

• STRENGTH: The concrete should be able to withstand the stresses that it is subjected to. It
is quite strong in compression but weak in tension.

• DURABILITY: It should be durable enough to resist the effect of weathering agents.

• DENSITY: the concrete should be well compacted so that there are no voids or hollows
left. It should weigh 3000 kg/cum

• WATER TIGHTNESS: when used for construction of water retaining structures such as
dams, elevated tanks and water reservoirs then this property of concrete becomes very
important. Otherwise the moisture inside the RCC would corrode steel and leakage would
start resulting in the ultimate failure of the structure.

• WORKABILITY: It should be easily workable.

• RESISTANCE TO WEAR AND TEAR: when used in floors and in the construction of roads
the concrete should be able to withstand abrasive forces.
 Applications of Concrete

• Concrete is suitable for the construction of –

i. Floors
ii. Roof Slabs
iii. Columns and Beam

• RCC is used in the construction of small, medium

and large scale bridges. It results in more
aesthetically good and economical structures as CONCRETE COLUMNS
compared to steel bridges.

• Reinforced Concrete is also used in the

construction of Earth Retaining Structures as
well as retaining walls for embankments.

• It is suitable for water retaining structures like

ground and overhead tanks and sports stadiums BREAK WATER SYSTEM, GUJRAT
(to prevent tidal erosion)
and conference halls.
• R.C.C piles both pre-cast and cast-in situ have
been used for the foundations of structures like
bridges and building.

• Multistory reinforced concrete buildings are

adopted for both residential and office complexes.
CONCRETE TILES

• It is used in the pavements for highways and

airports runway.

• Concrete has flexibility and is used to design free

forms.

CONCRETE PILES
 PALACE OF ASSEMBLY, CHANDIGARH

• hyperbolic shell with an average thickness of 15 cm. Source: thehindu.com, thealamy.com

• Reinforced concrete columns are utilized in a grid. Architect: Le Corbusier
 HABITAT 67

• The cube (a symbol of stability) is the base of Habitat 67. Source: i.guim.co.uk
• 354 identical and completely prefabricated modules (38 x 17 feet) connected by steel cables. Architects: Moshie Safdie
 PETRONA TOWERS, KUALA LUMPUR

• Two 88-story high commercial office towers. Once claimed world tallest building for 6 years surpassing the Source: thisisbuildingmaterials.blogspot.in
World Trade Center, USA. Constructed largely of reinforced concrete. Architect: César Pelli