PCC

Plain cement concrete (PCC) is a hardened mass obtained
from a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water in definite

proportions. It does not contain a steel rod. If steel is kept in
the concrete then it is called Reinforced cement concrete
(RCC).
These ingredients are mixed together in a definite
proportion to form a plastic mass which is poured into
desired shape moulds called as forms.
This plastic mass hardens on setting and we get PCC. The
hardening of this mixture is caused by a chemical reaction
between the cement and water.
PCC Concrete is spread on the soil surface before concreting
maid structure to avoid direct contact of reinforcement of
concrete with soil and water.
• Plain cement concrete(pcc) has good compressive
strength and very little tensile strength, thus
limiting its use in construction. Plain concrete is
used where good compressive strength and weight
are the main requirements and tensile stresses are
very low.
• Objective of (pcc)
• The objective of PCC is to arrange a firm
impermeable bed to RCC in the foundation where
the soil is soft and flexible. Plain cement concrete
mostly applied over brick flat soling or devoid of
brick flat soiling.
• The thickness of pcc: the thickness of pcc is
generally 5 cm over brick flat soling (bfs). If you
don’t use brick flat soling below plain cement
concrete (PCC) then the thickness should be 7.5
cm.
• When the pcc used in the car parking area then the
thickness should be 7.5 cm over brick flat soling
(BFS).
• The ratio of materials in PCC: The ratio of cement,
sand, and brick chips in the foundation should be
1:3:6.
Properties of plain cement concrete
• Compressive strength: The compressive strength
of PCC lies between 200 to 500 Kg/cm2.
• Tensile strength: The tensile strength of plain

cement concrete lies between 50 to 100 Kg/cm2.
• Density: The density of concrete ranges from 2200

Kg/m3 to 2400 Kg/m3.
• Durability: It is more durable.
Uses of PCC
• As a base below all types of foundations to provide a

hard and level surface for laying the foundation.
• As b base below the floor on the ground floor. At the

plinth level, PCC provides a hard and level surface
for laying floor tiles.
• Below load-bearing walls as a foundation.
• At plinth level to act as a damp proof course (DPC)
• As coping over top of parapet walls to protect the
wall from rain.
• For pavement and roads
• For mass concrete structure such as retaining
walls.
• Proportioning
• The proportioning is done based on a given
specification or requirement. Generally M10
(1:3:6) or M15 (1:2:4) mix is used.
• The measurement of materials is done by volume
batching or weight batching.
• Coarse aggregate and sand shall be measured by
measuring box in volume batching of size 30 cm x
30 cm x 38 cm equivalent to one bag cement of
1/30 m3 or 0.035 m3.
• On the basis of dry volume, sand is measured.
• While measuring the aggregate, ramming, sacking,
or hammering shall not be done.
• Preparing and Placing of Concrete
• The following steps are involved in the concreting:
• 1. Batching
• 2. Mixing
• 3. Transporting and placing and
• 4. Compacting.
1 BATCHING :The measurement of materials for

making concrete is known as batching. The
following two methods of batching is practiced:
(a) Volume batching
(b) Weight batching
Methods for Mixing of Concrete
1. Hand Mixing of Concrete (Mixing concrete manually

without a mixer machine)
2. Machine Mixing of Concrete (Mixing concrete with a
mixer machine)
• a) Hand Mixing: Required amount of coarse

aggregate for a batch is weighed and is spread on an
impervious platform. Then the sand required for the
batch is spread over coarse aggregate. They are
mixed in dry condition by overturning the mix with
shovels. Then the cement required for the batch is
spread over the dry mix and mixed by shovels.
• After uniform texture is observed water is added
gradually and mixing is continued. Full amount of
water is added and mixing is completed when
uniform colour and consistancy is observed. The
process of mixing is completed in 6–8 minutes of
adding water. This method of mixing is not very good
but for small works it is commonly adopted.
• b) Machine Mixing: In large and important works
machine mixing is preferred. Required quantities
if sand and coarse aggregates are placed in the
drum of the mixer. 4 to 5 rotations are made for
dry mixing and then required quantity of cement
is added and dry mixing is made with another 4
to 5 rotations. Water is gradually added and drum
is rotated for 2 to 3 minutes during which period it
makes about 50 rotations. At this stage uniform
and homogeneous mix is obtained
Transporting and Placing of Concrete. After mixing
concrete should be transported to the
final position. In small works it is transported in iron pans
from hand to hand of a set of workers. Wheel
barrow and hand carts also may be employed. In large scale
concreting chutes and belt conveyors or
pipes with pumps are employed. In transporting care should
be taken to see that seggregation of aggregate from matrix of
cement do not take place. Concrete is placed on form works.
The form works should be cleaned and properly oiled. If
concrete is to be placed for foundation, the soil bed should
be compacted well and is made free from loose soil.
• 4. Compaction of Concrete: In the process of placing

concrete, air is entrapped. The entrapped air reduces the
strength of concrete up to 30%. Hence it is necessary to
remove this entrapped air. This is achieved by compacting
the concrete after placing it in its final position. Compaction
can be carried out either by hand or with the help of
vibrators.
• (a)Hand Compaction: In this method concrete is compacted
by ramming, tamping, spading or by slicing with tools. In
intricate portions a pointed steel rod of 16 mm diameter
and about a metre long is used for poking the concrete.
• (b)Compaction by Vibrators: Concrete can be compacted by
using high frequency vibrators. Vibration reduces the
friction between the particles and set the motion of
particles. As a result entrapped air is removed and the
concrete is compacted
• Curing of Concrete
Curing may be defined as the process of maintaining
satisfactory moisture and temperature conditions for freshly
placed concrete for some specified time for proper hardening
of concrete. Curing in the early ages of concrete is more
important. Curing for 14 days is very important. Better to
continue it for 7 to 14 days more. If curing is not done
properly, the strength of concrete reduces. Cracks develop
due shrinkage.
The following curing methods are employed:
(a) Spraying of water
Walls, columns, plastered surfaces are cured by sprinkling
water.
(b) Wet covering the surface : Covering the surface with wet
gunny bags, straw etc.
Columns and other vertical surfaces may be cured by
covering
(c) Ponding
The horizontal surfaces like slab and floors are cured by
stagnating the water to a height of 25 to 50 mm by providing
temporary small hunds with mortar.
(d) Steam curing :In the manufacture of pre-fabricated
concrete units steam is passed over the units kept in closed
chambers. It accelerates curing process, resulting into the
reduction of curing period.
(e) Application of curing compounds. Compounds like
calcium chloride may be applied on the curing surface

PCC

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Plain cement concrete (PCC) is a hardened mass obtained

from a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water in definite

• Tensile strength: The tensile strength of plain

• Density: The density of concrete ranges from 2200

• Durability: It is more durable.

• As a base below all types of foundations to provide a

• As b base below the floor on the ground floor. At the

1 BATCHING :The measurement of materials for

1. Hand Mixing of Concrete (Mixing concrete manually

• a) Hand Mixing: Required amount of coarse

• 4. Compaction of Concrete: In the process of placing

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