CE 421

Concrete Technology
Dr. Moonis Zaheer
Associate Professor, CED, AMU Aligarh
Course objectives
• To understand the properties of concrete ingredients i.e. cement,
sand, coarse aggregates, water by studying and conducting different
tests.
• To learn mix design procedure as per standard codes.
• To understand the factors affecting the properties of fresh and
hardened concrete and new forms of concrete.
• To learn the application of admixtures in order to improve the
properties of concrete.
• Infer the test results as per relevant IS provisions.
Course outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, it is expected that students
will be able to:
1. Know the materials and methods used to make concrete, including
their sources, production and properties.
2. Explain the properties of fresh and hardened concrete.
3. Design normal concrete mixes and apply statistical quality control
techniques to concrete quality.
4. Identify, describe and chose suitable form of concrete for a
particular use at site.
Course syllabus
Unit 1:
Constituent materials of Concrete; Types, Properties and Tests as per Code, Concrete;
Production, Properties, tests and Quality Control, Introduction to Non-destructive Tests.
Unit 2:
Concrete Mix Design; Concepts, Methods , Sample problems using IS code method
Characteristic and Target strengths, Sampling and acceptance criteria Equipments and
methods for mixing, compaction , curing.
Unit 3:
Admixtures and construction chemicals; Types, method of mixing, Effect on different
properties of concrete, Behaviour of Concrete in Extreme Climate: Permeability &
Durability, Effect of Temperature, Saline Environment, Sulphate & Acid Attack, Corrosion
and Fire Resistance.
Unit 4:
Special forms of Concrete: Ferrocement, Fiber Reinforced Concrete, Polymer Concrete,
Light Weight Concrete, High Density Concrete etc., Guniting or shotcreting.
Text Books and/or Reference Materials
1. Neville, A.M., “Properties of Concrete”, Longman, India
2. Neville, A.M. and & Brooks J.J. “Concrete Technology”, Longman,
India
3. Shetty, M.S., “Concrete Technology”, SCC Ltd., New Delhi
4. I.S: 456-2000- Code of Practice for Plain and Reinforced Concrete
5. S.P.:16- Design aids for Reinforced Concrete to IS:456-2000
6. S.P.:23- Handbook on Concrete Mixes
Additional Learning Source
• Web links to concrete technology, Nptel etc.
 Lecture 1
Composition of concrete
Aggregate Requirements
• Aggregates should consist of particles with adequate strength against
compression, impact, and abrasion.
• Aggregate particles should have resistance against aggressive exposure
conditions such as highly fluctuating temperature and humidity.
• Aggregates should not contain deleterious materials such as chloride,
sulfate, etc. that will cause deterioration of concrete.
• The fine aggregate must not have more than 45% retained between two
consecutive standard sieves.
• The fineness modulus (FM) must not be less than 2.3 nor more than 3.1.
Aggregate Requirements (cont.)
• Aggregates that do not have deficiency or excess of any size and give
smooth grading curve will produce the most satisfactory results.
• The aggregate particle size is determined by using wire-mesh sieves
openings.
• 6 standard sieves ranging from 150 micron to 4.75 mm for fine aggregates.
• 5 standard sieves ranging from 4.75 mm to 80 mm for coarse aggregates.
• Proper selection of various aggregate sizes will be very effective in reducing
the total volume of voids.
• The cement paste requirement is related to the void content of the
combined aggregates.
Aggregate Requirements (cont.)
• There are different standards
and specifications which specify
grading limits for both fine and
coarse aggregates.
• There are several reasons for
specifying grading limits and
maximum aggregate size, they
affect relative:
Gap-graded Aggregates
• When certain particle sizes are intentionally omitted-Gap graded
aggregates.
• Ex., for an aggregate of 19 mm maximum size, the 4.75 mm to 9.5 mm
particles can be omitted without making the concrete harsh subject to
segregation.
• Gap-graded mixes are used in architectural concrete to obtain uniform
textures in exposed aggregate finishes.
Particle shape and surface texture
• The shape and surface texture affect the properties of fresh concrete more
than the properties of hardened concrete.
• Rough-texture, and angular particles require more water to produce
workable concrete than do smooth, rounded and compact particles. For
both crushed or non crushed aggregate, proper gradation gives the same
strength for the same cement factor.
• Bond between cement paste and a given aggregate generally increases
when the particles surfaces change from smooth and rounded to rough
and angular. The increase in bond is important for selecting aggregates for
concrete where strength at early age is important.
• Aggregate should be free of flat or elongated particles. Because they
require more water and thus may affect the strength of concrete.
Cement
• Crystalline compound of calcium silicates and
other calcium compounds having hydraulic
properties.
• Considered hydraulic because of their ability
to set and harden under water through the
hydration of the cement’s chemical
compounds.
• Dry powder of very fine particles.
• Forms a paste when mixed with water.
• Chemical reaction-Hydration.
• Glue.
• Paste coats all the aggregates together.
• Hardens and forms a solid mass.
Portland cement
• Most active component of
concrete.
• The greatest unit cost in
concrete.
• Its selection and proper use are
important in obtaining most
economically the balance of
properties desired for any
particular concrete mixture.
Cement paste
• When paste and aggregates are
mixed together the particles of
aggregates get coated with the
paste.
• Because of the chemical reaction
of the cement and water the paste
hardens and binds the aggregates
together to form a rocklike mass
called “Concrete”.
• Amount of cement paste required
in concrete is greater than the
volume of voids between the
aggregates.
Water
• Good water is essential for quality concrete.
• Should be good enough to drink -free of trash, organic matter and
excessive chemicals and/or minerals.
• The strength and other properties of concrete are highly dependent on the
amount of water and the water-cement ratio.
• Needed for two purposes:
Chemical reaction with cement
Workability
• Only 1/3 of the water is needed for chemical reaction.
• Extra water remains in pores and holes-Results in porosity.
• Bad for permeability, strength, durability.
Admixtures
• Mineral
Pozzolans
(fly ash, silica fume, shale,
calcined clay or metakaolin)
Slags
• Chemical
Set retarders
Set accelerators
Water reducing
Air entraining