ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Fresh Concrete
Learning outcomes (Week 5)
At the end of the lecture student will be able to;

• Have knowledge, state, define and explain the basic

science and engineering fundamentals pertaining to
the properties of fresh of concrete (CO1-PO1, PO10)

• Have knowledge, state, describe and explain the factor

affecting the properties of fresh concrete (CO1-PO1)
Introduction
• Fresh concrete or also known as “Plastic concrete” is define as
a condition of freshly mixed concrete such that it is readily
remouldable and workable, cohesive, and has an ample
content of cement and fines, but is not over-wet.
• The potential strength and durability of concrete of a given
mix proportions is very seriously affected by the degree of its
compaction.
• Therefore, it is vital, that the consistency (ability to flow) of
the mix be such that, the concrete can be transported, placed
and finished sufficiently early enough to attain the designed
strength and durability.

“Interestingly, the ingredients of good concrete and bad

concrete could be the same!”
Properties of fresh concrete
• The first 48 hours are very important for the performance of
the concrete structure as it controls the long-term behaviour,
influence ultimate strength, elastic modulus, creep and
durability.
Workability

Uniformity

Consistency

Finishability

Stability
1. Workability
• As stipulated in most standards, workability is define as the ease of
the fresh concrete can be mixed, placed compacted, work with
and finished.
• Ease is also related to the rheology of fresh concrete.
• Rheology – defined in term of forces, stresses, resistance to
segregation and bleeding, and resistance to flow by cohesive,
viscous and frictional forces.
Rheology
• Rheology is the study of material deformation and flow.
• Rheology allows a more scientific approach to determine
the flow and workability of concrete and was developed
using the Bingham model.
• The Bingham model describes two properties of the
material, the yield stress and the viscosity.
• In fresh concrete, yield stress defines the threshold
between static and fluid behavior.
• The viscosity of the concrete determines how fast it
moves.
• Necessary to use rheometer – to measure yield stress
and plastic viscosity
Low Yield stress High Yield stress

flowing Low slump

Equivalence of parameter defining workability and rheology of
fresh concrete

High Thick Workability High

Harsh or lean
low thin Low slump
Consistency Homogeneity High slump
Self leveling
Bleeding /
segregation
Mixability Bleeding
Placeability Segregation Low
Compactability Finishability

Viscosity Rheology Yield stress

2. Uniformity
• Uniformity refers to the stable distribution of the
cement, aggregate and water or a measure of the
homogeneity of the concrete.
• This measurement includes within-batch uniformity and
between batching of concrete mixtures.
• The ability to a produce homogeneous fresh concrete
from the constituent materials of the batch under action
of mixing forces, for example, the mixer should be able
to produce well mixed fresh concrete
• There is no standard test to determine uniformity.
• Uniformity of concrete is typically achieved by consolidation.
• Vibration sets into motion the particles in freshly mixed concrete,
reducing friction between them and giving the mixture the mobile
qualities of a thick fluid.
• Consolidation of coarser as well as stiffer mixtures results in
improved quality and economy.
• On the other hand, poor consolidation results in porous, weak
concrete with poor durability.
3. Consistency
• Consistency is considered a close indication of workability.
• The mix should be sufficiently easy to flow and placed and
move around the reinforcement in formwork and should be
able to cast into the required shape without segregation and
losing continuity or homogeneity
• The slump test, ASTM C143, Standard Test Method for Slump
of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete (AASHTO T 119), is the most
generally accepted method used to measure the consistency
of concrete.
• The primary benefit of the slump test is that it measures the
consistency from one batch of concrete to the next.
• However, it does not characterize the rheology or workability
of a concrete mixture quantitatively.
• If the consistency is too dry and harsh, the concrete will be
difficult to place and compact and larger aggregate particles
may separate from the mixture.
• Consistency depends on the degree of wettest and fluidity.
• However, it should not be assumed that a wetter, more fluid
mixture is necessarily more workable. Segregation,
honeycombing, and reduced hardened properties can occur if
the mixture is too wet.
4. Finishability
• Refer to the ease of performing finishing operations to achieve
specified surface characteristics.
• Final level, slope, drop etc. in accordance to drawings, without
honeycombing or blowing holes from formwork.
5. Stability
• Refer to the resistance of fresh concrete to segregation.
• No segregation during transporting and placing of fresh
concrete.
• Also tendency of bleeding should be minimized.
Measurement of workability
• There are 5 types of test, which can measure workability
indirectly.
• Unfortunately, there are no accepted tests, which can measure
directly the workability.
• Also a measure for consistency.
i. Slump Test: Gives good results for rich mixes.
ii. Compacting Factor Test: Used for low workable concrete.
iii. Flow Table Test: Used for high workable concrete.
iv. VeBe Test: Used for low workable concrete (fiber
reinforced concrete).
v. Cone penetration test
vi. Kelly Ball Test: It is practical in field test.
i. SLUMP TEST
• A measure of consistency or wetness of
mix.
• Slump range 25 – 125 mm.
• True/No slump: 10-30mm, Shear slump:
30-60mm, Collapse slump: 60-180mm
• It must be appreciated that the different
mix of concrete of the same slump may
have different workability under site
conditions.
• Simple apparatus and test procedure
(MS,BS EN etc.)
• Indicates the behavior of the compacted
concrete cone under action of gravity.
Some suggested values of workability of fresh concrete for different conditions
* should also refer to existing standards (MS 523, BS EN 206, BS 8500:1 AND 2)

Placing conditions Degree of workability Slump required

for 20 mm aggregate

Hand compaction of High (flowing) 125 – 150 mm

heavily reinforced sections
Concreting of lightly Medium (plastic) 25 – 75 mm
reinforced
section/vibration of heavily
reinforced sections
Concreting of lightly
Low (stiff plastic) 50 mm
reinforced section with
vibration; road pavements,
slabs with hand operated
vibrators and vibration of
mass concrete
Slump mm

Time (hrs)
ii. Compacting Factor test
• Gives the behaviour of fresh
concrete under action of external
forces.
• Measure compactibility
• Accurate for medium to low
workability, in example, 0.9 to 0.8
• < 0.7 or very low workability not
suitable
Relationship between slump and compacting factor

Slump , mm
0 4.5
6.9 3

50 Mix by weight of
aggregate/cement
shown against each
curve
100

150
1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6
Compacting Factor
iii. Flow table test
• The flow table test or flow test is
a method to determine the
consistence of fresh concrete
Conducting the test
• The flowtable is wetted.
• The upside down funnel is placed
on the flowtable and filled with
fresh concrete.
• The funnel is lifted up, allowing
the concrete to flow.
• The flowtable is then lifted up
several centimeters and then
dropped, causing the concrete
flow a little bit further.
• After this the diameter of the
concrete is measured.
iv. Vee Bee test

• Suitable for stiff concrete

• Having low and very low
workability
• Emulate actual practice
Relationship between slump and Vee Bee time

V B TIME
12

0
SLUMP, mm 160
Cone penetration test
Factors affecting workability
i. Mix proportions
a. Water content of the mix
• Adding water increases workability and decreases
strength.
• increase in water increase workability
• may results segregation/bleeding
• problem of shrinkage and creep
• hence water content depend on w/c which depend
on the target design strength of the hardened
concrete.
b. Aggregate properties
• 75 % aggregate content due to economy reason,
volume of aggregate should be large as possible.
• Total specific area of aggregate is to be minimized.
• Well graded aggregate different size are chosen to
minimized void content.
• Such mix require more water for lubricating effects.
• However when total voids are less for a given
amount of paste volume, excess paste give better
lubricating effect.
• Maximum size of aggregate: Less surface area to be
wetted and more water in medium.
• Grading of aggregate: Poor grading reduces the
consistency.
• Shape and texture of aggregates: Smooth surfaces
give better workability.
Factor affecting workability
• Influence of aggregate properties
1. Coarse aggregate – large, rounded give higher
workability, less specific surface area less friction –
less water use to wet surface hence less cement.
2. Texture : smooth, rough, angular, elongated, flaky …
workability…?
3. E.g. river sand and gravel – workability?
4. E.g. crushed sand and aggregate – workability?
5. Size and shape of aggregate is very important :
when dealing with high strength and high
performance concrete where low w/c are used (in
the order of 0.25)
 Effect of water content and aggregate size on the workability of concrete

Rounded aggregate
Angular aggregate
Slump mm Angular aggregate (ACI 211.1-7.6)

20 mm
150 40 mm
40 mm
20 mm
40 mm

120 10 mm

90 10 mm

60

30

0
140 160 180 200 220 240
Water content kg/m3
ii. Admixtures
a. Chemical admixtures
• Superplasticer
• Air entraining agent – air bubbles acts as artificial fine aggregate
with smooth surface
b. Mineral admixtures
• Pozzolanic materials – in spite of increasing surface area offer
better lubricating effect thus better workability
iii. Environmental conditions
• Ambient temperature
• On very hot certain precaution need to be taken to maintain
workability
• Loss of workability due evaporation
iv. Time
• Loss of workability
• Evaporation
• Wind
• Varies with type of cement, mix proportion, initial workability
and temperature
 Effect of placing time in the workability of fresh concrete

Compacting factor

0.95

w/c =0.65
0.90

0.85 w/c = 0.60

0.80
w/c = 0.55

0.75

15 min 30 min 60 min

REQUIREMENT OF
WORKABILITY
Segregation and bleeding
• Segregation: separation of ingredient of the concrete mix
such that it is no longer homogeneous.
• Can be minimized
• Reduce height of drop
• Not using vibration as means of spreading a heap of concrete over a
large area
• Reduce over vibration; may cause laitance
• Laitance can be removed by brushing and washing before new layer
is added.
Safety
CAUTION
FRESH CONCRETE CAN CAUSE BURNS AND
EYE INJURY

• Wear Protective Clothing

• Avoid Skin Contact
• Wash Exposed Skin Areas Promptly with Water
• If concrete gets into eyes rinse immediately with water
and obtain prompt medical attention
Exercise 6 (CO1-PO1)
• At the end of the session the students should be able;
• To define and differentiate what is workability and rheology of
fresh concrete
• State and describe the properties and element that relate to the
properties of fresh concrete
Homework (CO1-PO1, PO10)
1. Define what is consistency and workability of fresh concrete
2. Relate between rheology and workability, illustrate using
examples.
3. Using specific examples, explain how segregation and
bleeding occur.

(The students are expected to spent 3 hours for this assignment)

Thank you