Concret Technology.2

PRESTON UNIVERSITY
ISLAMABAD
DISTANCE LEARNING ASSIGNMENT

6TH SEMESTER B-TECH (PASS) CIVIL
CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
Why grading is important for normal aggregates?
Write a note on some qualities of water used for mixing and curing of
concrete.
Q. No. 3:
What is slump? Describe three types of slump with the help of rough
diagram.
Q. No. 4:
Write briefly the procedure of compacting factor test.
Q. No. 5:
Write brief note on types of cement.
Q. No. 6:
Write short note on any two of the following types of special concretes.
a.
Ferro cement
b.
Roller Compacted Concrete.
c.
High Performance Concrete.
Q. No. 7:
What is the Curing of Concrete? Write a note on steam curing.
Q. No. 8:
Write short note on any two topics:
a) Relation between compressive and tensile strength.
b) Factor affecting workability
c) Slump and types of Slumps.
Q. No. 9:
Write some cold weather concreting problems. Describe any three
precautions in cold weather concreting.
Q. No. 10:
Define admixture. Write down the purpose of any three admixtures.
Q. No. 11:
Write short answers to the following questions:
a) Describe the purpose of High performance concrete.
b) Determine the porosity at a w/c ratio of 0.70 in following figure.
Cement paste, capillary porosity(%)
Q. No. 1:
Q. No. 2:
50
40
30
20
10
[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011
Page 1 of 49
0
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
w/c Ratio
c) Describe two factor affecting on strength of concrete.

I.
_________________________________________________
II.
_________________________________________________
d) Fill in the blank
Q. No. 12:
I.
Concrete has relatively ___________ compressive strength but

significantly______________ tensile strength.
II.
Concrete has a tensile strength approximately _______________ % of

its compressive strength.
Encircle the correct answer:
I.
Aggregate normally occupy about:

a) 10-25% volume of concrete.
b) 30-45% volume of concrete.
c) 60-75% volume of concrete.
II.
Sand is also known as

a) Coarse aggregate.
b) Fine aggregate.
c) Fine cement.
III.
Normally how many setting times are defined:

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
IV.
Concrete is strong in:

a) Compression
b) Tension
c) Both compression and tension
V.
Concrete gains strength as a result of:

a) Dehydration reaction
b) Hydration reaction
c) Both hydration and dehydration reaction.
Page 2 of 49
DISTANCE LEARNING ASSIGNMENT

B-TECH (PASS) CIVIL
CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
Q. No. 1
Why grading is important for normal aggregates?
Answer:
Page 3 of 49
IMPORTANCE OF GRADING OF AGGREGATES.

The particle size distribution, or gradation, of an aggregate is one of the most
influential aggregate characteristics in determining how it will perform as a pavement
material. In HMA, gradation helps determine almost every important property including
stiffness, stability, durability, permeability, workability, fatigue resistance, frictional
resistance and resistance to moisture damage (Roberts et al., 1996). In PCC, gradation
helps determine durability, porosity, workability, cement and water requirements,
strength, and shrinkage. Because of this, gradation is a primary concern in HMA and
PCC mix design and thus most agencies specify allowable aggregate gradations for both.
GRADING OF AGGREGATES
1 Grading - Size Distribution
The particle size distribution of aggregates is called grading. The grading determine
the paste requirement for a workable concrete since the amount of void requires needs to be
filled by the same amount of cement paste in a concrete mixture. To obtain a grading curve
for aggregate, sieve analysis has to be conducted. The commonly used sieve designation is as
follows:
Sieve designation Nominal size of sieve opening
3"
1.5"
3/4"
3/8"
No. 4
No. 8
No. 16
No.30
No.50
No.100
No.200
75 mm
37.5 mm
19 mm
9.5 mm
4.75 mm
2.36 mm
1.18 mm
600 m
300 m
150 m
75 m
Five different kinds of size distributions, dense graded, gap-graded, uniformly

graded, well graded and open graded are illustrated in the figure below. Dense and wellgraded aggregates are desirable for making concrete, as the space between larger particles
is effectively filled by smaller particles to produce a well-packed structure. Gap-grading
is a kind of grading which lacks one or more intermediate size. Gap-graded aggregates
can make good concrete when the required workability is relatively low. When they are
used in high workability mixes, segregation may become a problem. For the uniform
grading, only a few sizes dominate the bulk material. With this grading, the aggregates
are not effectively packed, and the resulting concrete will be more porous, unless a lot of
paste is employed. The open graded contains too much small particles and easy to be
disturbed by a hole.
A wide range of grading curves is acceptable for the economic production of concrete
with good quality. Both British Standards (B.S.) and American Standards of Testing and
Measurements (ASTM) provide grading limits (which are essentially upper and lower
Page 4 of 49
bounds of the grading curve) that can be used in practice. As long as the grading curve
lies within the recommended grading limits, the aggregate can be employed.
2. Fineness Modulus
To characterize the overall coarseness or fineness of an aggregate, a concept of
fineness modulus is developed. The Fineness Modulus is defined as
100)percentage retained ve(Cummulatimodulus Fineness =
To calculate the fineness modulus, the sum of the cumulative percentages retained
on a definitely specified set of sieves needs to be determined, and the result is then
divided by 100. The sieves specified for the determination of fineness modulus are No.
100, No. 50, No. 30, No. 16, No. 8, No. 4, 3/8", 3/4", 1.5", 3", and 6". The following table
provide an example for calculating the fineness modulus.
The Fineness Modulus for fine aggregates should lie between 2.3 and 3.1. A small
number indicates a fine grading; whereas a large number indicates a coarse material. The
fineness modulus can be used to check the constancy of grading when relatively small
change is expected; but it should not be used to compare the grading of aggregates from
two different sources. The fineness modulus of fine aggregates is required for mix
proportion since sand gradation has the largest effect on workability. A fine sand (low
fineness modulus) needs more water for good workability. ASTM specifies that the
variation of fineness modulus for different batches of a given mix should not exceed 0.2.
3. Fineness Modulus for Blending Of Aggregates
Blending of aggregates is undertaken for a variety of purposes, for instance, to
remedy deficiencies in grading. The fineness modulus of blended aggregates can be
calculated if the values for the component aggregates are known. If two aggregates,
Designated as A and B, with fineness module of FMA and FMB, respectively, are mixed, the
resultant blend will have the following fineness modulus:
100PFM100PFMFMBBAAblend+=
Where, PA and P are the percentages, by weight, of aggregate A and B in the blend.
Page 5 of 49
Q. No. 2
Write a note on some qualities of water used for mixing and

curing of concrete.
Answer:
QUALITIES OF WATER
Page 6 of 49
Concrete is a chemically combined mass which is manufactured from binding

materials and inert materials with water.
Function of Water in Concrete:
Three water serves the following purpose:
To wet the surface of aggregates to develop adhesion because the cement pastes
adheres quickly and satisfactory to the wet surface of the aggregates than to a dry surface.
To prepare a plastic mixture of the various ingredients and to impart workability to
concrete to facilitate placing in the desired position and
Water is also needed for the hydration of the cementing materials to set and
harden during the period of curing.
The quantity of water in the mix plays a vital role on the strength of the concrete.
Some water which have adverse effect on hardened concrete. Sometimes may not be
harmless or even beneficial during mixing. So clear distinction should be made between
the effect on hardened concrete and the quality of mixing water.
1. Acceptable Mixing Water

The principal considerations on the quality of mixing water are those related to the
effect on workability, strength and durability. In addition, health issues related to the safe
handling of such water must be considered. The suitability of water can be identified from
past service records or tested to performance limits such as setting times and compressive
strength. Limits are placed on the contribution of mixing water to the total alkalis,
chloride and sulfate of all concrete ingredients in order to control the durability of the
concrete. Biological treatment and pathogen reduction are used to ensure safety in
handling reclaimed water
There is limited information on the quality of water which is acceptable for use as
concrete mixing water. The allowable impurities in concrete mixing water are compiled
from earlier literature such as Abrams2, Steinour3, Kuhl4 and Neville5. Some of these
limits are reflected in current standards which allow the use of recycled water or CPO
water. Recent literature such as Lobo and Mullings6 and Cebeci and Saatci7 focused on
the use of CPO and partially treated sewage water.
Guideline on Limits of Impurities
Steinour3 found the following:
1. Natural fresh water rarely contains more than 2000 ppm (0.2%) of dissolved
solids, and is generally suitable as mixing water.
2. Water contaminated with industrial wastes, but free of suspended solids, appear
also to be generally suitable at low concentrations.
3. Much larger contents of the impurities, in natural water, can be tolerated except
for the alkali carbonates and bicarbonates which may have significant effects
even at 2000 ppm.
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4. Other inorganic impurities, of possible industrial origin, ones that may be

detrimental at moderate concentrations are the sulfides, iodates, phosphates,
arsenates, borates, and compounds of lead, zinc, copper, tin and manganese.
5. Organic solutes are also suspect, especially sugars.
6. Seawater, although it contains 3.5% of dissolved solids, produces concrete with
good early strength, but often somewhat lower later strength. Risk of corrosion of
embedded metals limits the use of seawater in reinforced concrete.
No general summary or tabulation in terms of maximum limits on impurities was
attempted by Steinour3 as he considered the information to be inadequate. For the most
part, the data were only strength data. Effect on un-investigated properties such as
workability, long-time volume stability, and tendency to effloresce were unknown. Ryan
and Samarin8 summarized the general effects of impurities in mixing water on concrete
properties as shown in Table 1.
Netter berg reported that, on the whole, the deleterious salts present in
construction water are likely to be sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and
magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), less often sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and sodium
carbonate (Na2CO3) and rarely calcium chloride (CaCl2), and magnesium chloride
(MgCl2) and nitrates.
Impurity
Effect
Oil, fat or detergents
Air entraining possible
Calcium chloride and some other calcium

salts
Probability of set acceleration
Sugar, salt or zinc, lead, and a range of

other inorganic and organic materials
Probability of set retardation
Chloride ions
Strong probability of steel corrosion
Table 1
Effects of impurities in mixing water on some properties of concrete
(Ryan and Samarin8)
2. Water Used In Curing:

Generally water satisfactory for mixing is also suitable for curing
purposes. However, iron and organic matter may cause staining, particularly if
water flows slowly over concrete and evaporates rapidly. In some cases,
discoloration is of no significance, and any water suitable for mixing, or even
slightly interior in quality, is acceptable for curing. However it is essential that
curing water be free from substances that attack hardend concrete. For example,
concrete is attacked by water containing free CO2, dissolves Ca(OH)2 and causes
surface erosion.
Page 8 of 49
Q. No. 3
What is slump? Describe three types of slump tests with the

help of rough diagram.
Answer:
SLUMP
Page 9 of 49
Slump is an indication of how well the concrete flows. This is important to

determine how much water is in the concrete. Usually, the lower the slump, the less water
is in the mix and the stronger the concrete will be. The slump is measured by putting
concrete in a 12" tall cone with a flat top, then pulling the cone up and allowing the
concrete to slump down. The distance the concrete falls from the top of the cone to the
top of the slumped concrete is the slump. With today's concrete though, you can achieve a
high slump without using much water with the application of superplasticizers or midrange water reducers.
TYPES OF SLUMP TESTS

1. Compaction Factor Test
The compaction factor test (Powers 1968; Neville 1981; Bartos
1992; Bartos, Sonebi, and Tamimi 2002) measures the degree of
compaction resulting from the application of a standard amount of
work. The test was developed in Britain in the late 1940s and has been
standardized as British Standard 1881-103.
The apparatus, which is commercially available, consist of a rigid frame
that supports two conical hoppers vertically aligned above each other
and mounted above a cylinder. The top hopper is slightly larger than
the bottom hopper, while the cylinder is smaller in volume than both
hoppers. To perform the test, the top hopper is filled with concrete but
not compacted. The door on the bottom of the top hopper is opened
and the concrete is allowed to drop into the lower hopper. Once all of
the concrete has fallen from the top hopper, the door on the lower
hopper is opened to allow the concrete to fall to the bottom cylinder. A
tamping rod can be used to force especially cohesive concretes
through the hoppers. The excess concrete is carefully struck off the top
of the cylinder and the mass of the concrete in the cylinder is recorded.
This mass is compared to the mass of fully compacted concrete in the
same cylinder achieved with hand rodding or vibration. The compaction
factor is defined as the ratio of the mass of the concrete compacted in
the compaction factor apparatus to the mass of the fully compacted
concrete. The standard test apparatus, described above, is appropriate
for maximum aggregate sizes of up to 20 mm. A larger apparatus is
available for concretes with maximum aggregate sizes of up to 40 mm.
Page 10 of 49
Figure 1: Compaction Factor Test Apparatus

The results of the compaction factor test can be correlated to slump,
although the relationship is not linear. Table 2 relates the results of the
compaction factor test to slump and the samples degree of workability.
Table 2: Interpretation of Compaction Factor Test Results as Described in British Road
Note 4 (Wilby 1991)

Degree of
Workability
Slump,
mm
Very Low
0-25
Low
25-50
Medium
50100
High
100180
Compaction Factor
Applications
Small
Apparatus
Large
Apparatus
0.78
0.80
Vibrated concrete in roads

or other large sections.
0.87
Mass concrete foundations

without vibration. Simple
reinforced sections with
vibration.
0.935
Normal reinforced work

without
vibration
and
heavily reinforced sections
with vibration.
0.96
Sections with congested

reinforcement.
Not
normally
suitable
for
vibration.
0.85
0.92
0.95
The compaction factor test has been used more widely in Europe
than in the United States, although the overall use of the test seems to
be declining. The test has typically been used in precast operations and
at large construction sites. Compared to the slump test, the apparatus
Page 11 of 49
is bulky and a balance is required to perform measurements. In

addition to these practical drawbacks, the test has several flaws that
reduce the accuracy of the results. Some of the work imparted into the
concrete is lost in friction between the hoppers and the concrete. The
magnitude of this friction varies between different concrete mixtures
and may not reflect field conditions. Further, the compaction factor test
does not utilize vibration, the main compaction method used in the
field.
Advantages:
1. The compaction factor test gives more information (that is,
about compatibility) than the slump test.
2. The test is a dynamic test and thus is more appropriate than
static tests for highly thyrotrophic concrete mixtures.
Disadvantages:
1. The large and bulky nature of the device reduces its
usefulness in the field. Further, the test method requires a
balance to measure the mass of the concrete in the cylinder.
2. The amount of work applied to the concrete being tested is a
function of the friction between the concrete and the hoppers,
which may not reflect field conditions.
3. The test method does not use vibration, the main compaction
method used in the field.
4. Although the test is commercially available, it is used
infrequently.
2. Slump Test
The slump test is the most well-known and widely used test
method to characterize the workability of fresh concrete. The
inexpensive test, which measures consistency, is used on job sites to
determine rapidly whether a concrete batch should be accepted or
rejected. The test method is widely standardized throughout the world,
including in ASTM C143 in the United States and EN 12350-2 in Europe.
The apparatus consists of a mold in the shape of a frustum of a cone
with a base diameter of 8 inches, a top diameter of 4 inches, and a
height of 12 inches. The mold is filled with concrete in three layers of
equal volume. Each layer is compacted with 25 strokes of a tamping
rod. The slump cone mold is lifted vertically upward and the change in
height of the concrete is measured.
Page 12 of 49
Four types of slumps are commonly encountered, as shown in

Figure 3. The only type of slump permissible under ASTM C143 is
frequently referred to as the true slump, where the concrete remains
intact and retains a symmetric shape. A zero slump and a collapsed
slump are both outside the range of workability that can be measured
with the slump test. Specifically, ASTM
C143 advises caution in interpreting test results less than inch and
greater than 9 inches. If part of the concrete shears from the mass, the
test must be repeated with a different sample of concrete. A concrete
that exhibits a shear slump in a second test is not sufficiently cohesive
and should be rejected.
True
Zero
Collapsed
Shear
Figure 2: Four Types of Slump

The slump test is not considered applicable for concretes with a
maximum coarse aggregate size greater than 1.5 inches. For concrete
with aggregate greater than 1.5 inches in size, such larger particles can
be removed by wet sieving.
Additional qualitative information on the mobility of fresh
concrete can be obtained after reading the slump measurement.
Concretes with the same slump can exhibit different behavior when
tapped with a tamping rod. A harsh concrete with few fines will tend to
fall apart when tapped and be appropriate only for applications such as
pavements or mass concrete. Alternatively, the concrete may be very
cohesive when tapped, and thus be suitable for difficult placement
conditions.
Slump is influenced by both yield stress and plastic viscosity;
however, for most cases the effect of plastic viscosity on slump is
negligible. Equations have been developed for calculating yield stress
in terms of slump, based on either analytical or experimental analyses.
Since different rheometers measure different absolute values for the
yield stress of identical samples of concrete, the experimental
equations are largely depended on the specific device used to measure
yield stress.
Based on a finite element model of a slump test, Hu et al. (1996)
developed an expression for yield stress in terms of slump and density,
Page 13 of 49
as shown in Equation [1]. The finite element calculations were

performed for concretes with slumps ranging from zero to 25 cm. The
equation is not appropriate for concretes with a plastic viscosity
greater than 300 Pa.s, above which viscosity sufficiently slows flow and
causes thixotropy, resulting in a reduction of the actual slump value. An
experimental study to verify the results of the finite element model
showed satisfactory agreement between Equation [1] and yield
stress measurements from the BTRHEOM rheometer. It should be noted
that the finite element calculations were preformed for concrete with
slumps as low as zero, while the BTRHEOM rheometer can only
measure concretes with slumps greater than approximately 10 cm.
0 = / 270 (300-s)
--------------------
[1]
Where 0 = yield stress in Pa, s = slump in mm, and =

density in kg/m3.
Based on additional experimental measurements with the
BTRHEOM rheometer, Ferraris and de Larrard (1998) altered Equation
[1], as shown in Equation [2]:
0 = / 347 (300-s) +212
--------------------
[11]
Murata and Kikukawa (1992) used a coaxial cylinders rheometer

to develop an empirical equation for yield stress in terms of slump for
concretes with slumps ranging from 12.5 cm to 26 cm, as shown in
Equation [3]:
0 = 714 - 473log(s)
-------------------------- [111]
Where 0 = yield stress in Pa and s = slump in cm.
A comparison of the equations developed by Hu et al. (1996),
Ferraris and de Larrad (1998), and Murata and Kikukawa (1992) is
presented in Figure 4.
Page 14 of 49
Figure 3: Comparison of Equations Relating Yield Stress to Slump

Using a viscoplastic finite element model, Tanigawa and Mori
(1989) developed three-dimensional graphs relating slump, yield
stress, and plastic viscosity for concretes with slumps ranging from 1 to
26 cm. Schowalter and Christensen (1998) developed a simple
analytical equation to relate slump to yield stress and the height of the
un-yielded region of the slump cone, defined as the region where the
weight of concrete above a given point is insufficient to overcome the
yield stress. Other, more complex analytical analyses have been
developed.
Additionally, Tatters all and Ban fill (1983) have presented
experimental data showing a relationship between slump and yield
stress.
Advantages:
1. The slump test is the most widely used device worldwide. In fact,
the test is so well known that often the terms workability and
slump are used interchangeably, even though they have different
meanings.
2. Specifications are typically written in terms of slump.
3. The slump test is simple, rugged, and inexpensive to perform.
Results are obtained immediately.
4. The results of the slump test can be converted to yield stress in
fundamental units based on various analytical treatments and
experimental studies of the slump test.
Page 15 of 49
5. Compared to other commonly used concrete tests, such as for air

content and compressive strength, the slump test provides
acceptable precision.
Disadvantages:
1. The slump test does not give an indication of plastic viscosity.
2. The slump test is a static, not dynamic, test; therefore, results
are influenced by concrete thixotropy. The test does not provide
an indication of the ease with which concrete can be moved
under dynamic placing conditions, such as vibration.
3. The slump test is less relevant for newer advanced concrete
mixes than for more conventional mixes
3.Vebe Consist-meter
The Vebe consistometer (Bartos 1992; Scanlon 1994; Bartos,
Sonebi, and Tamimi 2002) measures the remolding ability of concrete
under vibration. The test results reflect the amount of energy required
to remold a quantity of concrete under given vibration conditions. The
Vebe consist meter is applicable to concrete with slumps less than 2
inches. The apparatus, shown in Figure 4, consists of a metal cylindrical
container mounted on a vibrating table, which produces a sinusoidal
vibration. In the version of the test standardized in
Europe as EN 12350-3, a slump cone is placed in the center of
the cylinder and filled in the same manner as in the standard slump
test. After the slump cone is removed, a clear plastic disk is set atop
the fresh concrete. The Vebe table is started and the time for the
concrete to remold from the slump cone shape to the shape of the
outer cylindrical container is recorded as a measure of consistency. The
sliding clear plastic disk facilitates the determination of the end of the
test.
Page 16 of 49
Figure 4: Vebe Consistometer

Juvas (1994) has presented a modified Vebe test to more efficiently
measure low slump concretes that exhibit standard Vebe times greater
than 30 seconds. In the modified Vebe test, a 20 kg surcharge is
attached to the rod above the clear plastic disk. The remainder of the
test apparatus and procedure is unchanged. The modified Vebe test
more closely represents the production of precast concrete elements
that are both vibrated and pressed.
ASTM C1170 describes two variations on the procedure described
above for use with rollercompacted concrete. Instead of placing
concrete in a slump cone in the cylinder, concrete is placed directly
into the 9 -inch diameter, 7 -inch tall cylinders without compaction.
For Test Method A, a 50 pound surcharge is placed on the sliding plastic
disk. The vibrator is started and the time for the concrete to
consolidate and a mortar ring to form around the plastic disk is
recorded. The surcharge is then removed and the concrete is vibrated
further until the total vibration time is 2 minutes. The density of the
consolidated concrete in the mold is then determined. When the Vebe
time by Test Method A is less than 5 seconds, Test Method B should be
used. In Test Method B, the surcharge is not used. Both the time for a
mortar ring to form around the perimeter of the cylinder and the final
density of the compacted concrete are recorded. Both methods are
applicable for concretes with maximum aggregate sizes up to 2 inches.
A minimum of 50 pounds of concrete is required for each test method.
Since the test apparatus is large and heavy, it is inappropriate for
field use. The vibrating table must be mounted on a large and stable
Page 17 of 49
base of sufficient mass to absorb the tables vibrations. The main use
for the test has been in the laboratory and in the precast industry,
where low slump concrete mixes are commonly used (Bartos 1992).
The apparatus is neither directly related to slump nor plastic viscosity.
Advantages:
1. The Vebe consistometer is a dynamic test and can be used on
concretes that are too dry for the slump test.
2. The test device is standardized in ASTM and identified by ACI
Committee 211 (2002) in its guide for proportioning low slump
concrete.
3. Test results are obtained directly.
Disadvantages:
1. Due to the need to ensure that all vibration is kept within the test
device, the size of the test device makes the Vebe consistometer
generally unsuitable for field use.
2. The test device only works for low slump concretes.
3. No analytical treatment of the test method has been developed.
Such treatment would be complex because the shear rate
declines during the duration of the test as the concrete specimen
changes shape.
Page 18 of 49
Q. No. 4
Write briefly the procedure of compacting factor test.
Answer:
COMPACTION FACTOR TEST
Page 19 of 49


Table 3: Interpretation of Compaction Factor Test Results as Described in British Road
Note 4 (Wilby 1991)
Page 20 of 49
Degree of
Workability
Slump,
mm
Very Low
0-25
Low
25-50
Medium
50100
High
100180
Compaction Factor
Applications
Small
Apparatus
Large
Apparatus
0.78
0.80
Vibrated concrete in roads

or other large sections.
0.87
Mass concrete foundations

without vibration. Simple
reinforced sections with
vibration.
0.935
Normal reinforced work

without
vibration
and
heavily reinforced sections
with vibration.
0.96
Sections with congested

reinforcement.
Not
normally
suitable
for
vibration.
0.85
0.92
0.95
field.
Advantages:
1. The compaction factor test gives more information (that is, about
compatibility) than the slump test.
2. The test is a dynamic test and thus is more appropriate than
static tests for highly thyrotrophic concrete mixtures.
Disadvantages:
1. The large and bulky nature of the device reduces its usefulness in
the field. Further, the test method requires a balance to measure
the mass of the concrete in the cylinder.
2. The amount of work applied to the concrete being tested is a
function of the friction between the concrete and the hoppers,
which may not reflect field conditions.
3. The test method does not use vibration, the main compaction
method used in the field.
Page 21 of 49
4. Although the
infrequently.
test
is
commercially
available,
it
is
used
Q. No. 5
Write brief note on types of cement.
Page 22 of 49
Answer:
CEMENT
In the most general sense of the word, cement is a binder, a substance that sets and
hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces
to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling
modern concrete that was made from crushed rock with burnt lime as binder. The
volcanic ash and pulverized brick additives that were added to the burnt lime to obtain a
hydraulic binder were later referred to as cementum, cimentum, cment and cement.
Cement used in construction is characterized as hydraulic or non-hydraulic.
Hydraulic cements (e.g., Portland cement) harden because of hydration, chemical
reactions that occur independently of the mixture's water content; they can harden even
underwater or when constantly exposed to wet weather. The chemical reaction that results
when the anhydrous cement powder is mixed with water produces hydrates that are not
water-soluble. Non-hydraulic cements (e.g., lime and gypsum plaster) must be kept dry in
order to retain their strength.
The most important use of cement is the production of mortar and concretethe
bonding of natural or artificial aggregates to form a strong building material that is
durable in the face of normal environmental effects.
Concrete should not be confused with cement, because the term cement refers to
the material used to bind the aggregate materials of concrete. Concrete is a combination
of a cement and aggregate.
Types of Modern Cement

Portland cement
Cement is made by heating limestone (calcium carbonate) with small quantities of
other materials (such as clay) to 1450 C in a kiln, in a process known as calcinations,
whereby a molecule of carbon dioxide is liberated from the calcium carbonate to form
calcium oxide, or quicklime, which is then blended with the other materials that have
been included in the mix. The resulting hard substance, called 'clinker', is then ground
with a small amount of gypsum into a powder to make 'Ordinary Portland Cement', the
most commonly used type of cement (often referred to as OPC).
Portland cement is a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar and most non-speciality
grout. The most common use for Portland cement is in the production of concrete.
Page 23 of 49
Concrete is a composite material consisting of aggregate (gravel and sand), cement, and
water. As a construction material, concrete can be cast in almost any shape desired, and
once hardened, can become a structural (load bearing) element. Portland cement may be
grey or white.
Portland cement Blends

Portland cement blends are often available as inter-ground mixtures from cement
manufacturers, but similar formulations are often also mixed from the ground components
at the concrete mixing plant.
i.
Portland blast furnace cement
Portland blast furnace cement contains up to 70 % ground granulated blast furnace

slag, with the rest Portland clinker and a little gypsum. All compositions produce high
ultimate strength, but as slag content is increased, early strength is reduced, while sulfate
resistance increases and heat evolution diminishes. Used as an economic alternative to
Portland sulfate-resisting and low-heat cements.
ii.
Portland fly ash cement
Portland fly ash cement contains up to 30 % fly ash. The fly ash is pazzolanic, so that
ultimate strength is maintained. Because fly ash addition allows lower concrete water
content, early strength can also be maintained. Where good quality cheap fly ash is
available, this can be an economic alternative to ordinary Portland cement.
iii.
Portland pazzolana cement
Portland pozzolan cement includes fly ash cement, since fly ash is a pozzolan, but
also includes cements made from other natural or artificial pozzolans. In countries where
volcanic ashes are available (e.g. Italy, Chile, Mexico, Philippines) these cements are
often the most common form in use.
iv.
Portland silica fumes cement
Portland silica fumes cement. Addition of silica fume can yield exceptionally high
strengths, and cements containing 520 % silica fume are occasionally produced.
However, silica fume is more usually added to Portland cement at the concrete mixer.
v.
Masonry cements
Masonry cements are used for preparing bricklaying mortars and stuccos, and must
not be used in concrete. They are usually complex proprietary formulations containing
Portland clinker and a number of other ingredients that may include limestone, hydrated
lime, air entertainers, retarders, water proofers and coloring agents. They are formulated
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to yield workable mortars that allow rapid and consistent masonry work. Subtle variations
of Masonry cement in the US are Plastic Cements and Stucco Cements. These are
designed to produce controlled bond with masonry blocks.
vi.
Expansive cements
Expansive cements contain, in addition to Portland clinker, expansive clinkers

(usually sulfoaluminate clinkers), and are designed to offset the effects of drying
shrinkage that is normally encountered with hydraulic cements. This allows large floor
slabs (up to 60 m square) to be prepared without contraction joints.
vii.
White blended cements
White blended cements may be made using white clinker and white supplementary
materials such as high-purity metakaolin.
viii. Colored cements

Colored cements are used for decorative purposes. In some standards, the addition of
pigments to produce "colored Portland cement" is allowed. In other standards (e.g.
ASTM), pigments are not allowed constituents of Portland cement, and colored cements
are sold as "blended hydraulic cements".
ix.
Very finely ground cements
Very finely ground cements are made from mixtures of cement with sand or with slag
or other pozzolan type minerals that are extremely finely ground together. Such cements
can have the same physical characteristics as normal cement but with 50% less cement
particularly due to their increased surface area for the chemical reaction. Even with
intensive grinding they can use up to 50% less energy to fabricate than ordinary Portland
cements.
Non-Portland Hydraulic Cements

i.
Pozzolan-lime cements.
Pozzolan-lime cements. Mixtures of ground pozzolan and lime are the cements used
by the Romans, and can be found in Roman structures still standing (e.g. the Pantheon in
Rome). They develop strength slowly, but their ultimate strength can be very high. The
hydration products that produce strength are essentially the same as those produced by
Portland cement.
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ii.
Slag-lime cements.
Slag-lime cements. Ground granulated blast furnace slag is not hydraulic on its own,
but is "activated" by addition of alkalis, most economically using lime. They are similar
to pozzolan lime cements in their properties. Only granulated slag (i.e. water-quenched,
glassy slag) is effective as a cement component.
iii.
Super sulfated cements.
Super sulfated cements. These contain about 80% ground granulated blast furnace
slag, 15 % gypsum or anhydrite and a little Portland clinker or lime as an activator. They
produce strength by formation of ettringite, with strength growth similar to a slow
Portland cement. They exhibit good resistance to aggressive agents, including sulfate.
iv.
Calcium aluminates cements
Calcium aluminate cements are hydraulic cements made primarily from limestone and
bauxite. The active ingredients are monocalcium aluminate CaAl 2O4 (CaO Al2O3 or CA
in Cement chemist notation, CCN) and mayenite Ca12Al14O33 (12 CaO 7 Al2O3 , or C12A7
in CCN). Strength forms by hydration to calcium aluminate hydrates. They are welladapted for use in refractory (high-temperature resistant) concretes, e.g. for furnace
linings.
v.
Calcium sulfoaluminate cements
Calcium sulfoaluminate cements are made from clinkers that include ye'elimite
(Ca4(AlO2)6SO4 or C4A3 in Cement chemist's notation) as a primary phase. They are
used in expansive cements, in ultra-high early strength cements, and in "low-energy"
cements. Hydration produces ettringite, and specialized physical properties (such as
expansion or rapid reaction) are obtained by adjustment of the availability of calcium and
sulfate ions. Their use as a low-energy alternative to Portland cement has been pioneered
in China, where several million tonnes per year are produced. [17][18] Energy requirements
are lower because of the lower kiln temperatures required for reaction, and the lower
amount of limestone (which must be endothermically decarbonated) in the mix. In
addition, the lower limestone content and lower fuel consumption leads to a CO2 emission
around half that associated with Portland clinker. However, SO2 emissions are usually
significantly higher.
vi.
"Natural" cements
"Natural" cements correspond to certain cements of the pre-Portland era, produced by

burning argillaceous limestones at moderate temperatures. The level of clay components
in the limestone (around 3035 %) is such that large amounts of belite (the low-early
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strength, high-late strength mineral in Portland cement) are formed without the formation
of excessive amounts of free lime. As with any natural material, such cements have highly
variable properties.
vii.
Geo polymer cements
Geopolymer cements are made from mixtures of water-soluble alkali metal silicates
and aluminosilicate mineral powders such as fly ash and metakaolin.
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Q. No. 6
Write short note on any two of the following types of special

concretes.
a.
Ferro cement
b.
Roller Compacted Concrete.
c.
High Performance Concrete.
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Answer:
FERRO CEMENT
The term ferrocement is most commonly applied to a mixture of Portland cement
and sand reinforced with layers of woven steel mesh and closely-spaced small-diameter
steel rods. It is normally used in the form of thin curved sheets to make hulls for boats,
shell roofs, water tanks, etc. It has been used in a wide range of other applications
including sculpture and prefabricated building components. The term has been applied by
extension to other composite materials including some containing no cement and no
ferrous material. These are better referred to by available terms describing their actual
contents.
Ferro cement has relatively good strength and resistance to impact. When used in
house construction in developing countries, it can provide better resistance to fire,
earthquake, and corrosion than traditional materials, such as wood, adobe and stone
masonry. It has been popular in developed countries for yacht building because the
technique can be learned relatively quickly, allowing people to cut costs by supplying
their own labour.
Advantages
The advantages of a well built ferrocement construction are the low weight,
maintenance costs and long lifetime in comparison with steel constructions. However,
meticulous building precision is considered crucial here. Especially with respect to the
cement composition and the way in which it is applied in and on the framework.
When a ferrocement sheet is mechanically overloaded, it will tend to fold instead
of crack or rupture. The wire framework will hold the pieces together, which in some
applications (boat hull, ceiling, roof) is an advantage.
A ferrocement construction has only 10 to 25% of the weight of a comparable
construction made of bricks.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage of ferrocement constructions is the labor intensive nature of it,
which makes it expensive for industrial application in the western world.
ROLLER COMPACTED CONCRETE

Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC) or rolled concrete is a special blend of
concrete that has essentially the same ingredients as conventional concrete but in different
ratios, and increasingly with partial substitution of fly ash for Portland cement. RCC is a
mix of cement/fly ash, water, sand, aggregate and common additives, but contains much
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less water. The produced mix is drier and essentially has no slump. RCC is placed in a
manner similar to paving; the material is delivered by dump trucks or conveyors, spread
by small bulldozers or specially modified asphalt pavers, and then compacted by
vibratory rollers.
In dam construction, roller-compacted concrete began its initial development with
the construction of the Alpa Gera Dam near Sondrio in North Italy between 1961 and
1964. Concrete was laid in a similar form and method but not rolled. RCC had been
touted in engineering journals during the 1970 as a revolutionary material suitable for,
among other things, dam construction. Initially and generally, RCC was used for backfill,
sub-base and concrete pavement construction, but increasingly it has been used to build
concrete gravity dams because the low cement content and use of fly ash cause less heat
to be generated while curing than do conventional mass concrete placements. Rollercompacted concrete has many time and cost benefits over conventional mass concrete
dams; these include higher rates of concrete placement, lower material costs and lower
costs associated with post-cooling and formwork.
HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

High performance concrete (HPC) has been defined as concrete that possesses
high workability, high strength and high durability. ACI (American Concrete Institute)
has defined HPC as a concrete in which certain characteristics are developed for a
particular application and environment. Under the ACI definition durability is optional
and this has led to a number of HPC structures, which should theoretically have had very
long services lives, exhibiting durability associated distress early in their lives. ACI also
defines a high-strength concrete as concrete that has a specified compressive strength for
design of 6,000 psi (41 MPa) or greater.
OR
High Performance Concrete (HPC) is a concrete made with appropriate materials
combined according to a selected mix design; properly mixed, transported, placed,
consolidated and cured so that the resulting concrete will give excellent performance in
the structure in which it is placed, in the environment to which it is exposed and with the
loads to which it will be subject for its design life. Mix proportions for high-performance
concrete (HPC) are influenced by many factors, including specified performance
properties, locally available materials, local experience, personal preferences, and cost.
With todays technology, there are many products available for use in concrete to enhance
its properties.
The primary application for HPC have been structures requiring long service lives
such as oil drilling platform, long span bridges and parking structures. HPC still requires
good construction practice and good curing to deliver high performance
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Q. No. 7
What is the Curing of Concrete? Write a note on steam

curing.
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Answer:
CURING OF CONCRETE
Curing is the maintenance of a satisfactory moisture content and
temperature in concrete for a period of time immediately following
placing and finishing so that the desired properties may develop. The
need for adequate curing of concrete cannot be overemphasized.
Curing has a strong influence on the properties of hardened concrete;
proper curing will increase durability, strength, water tightness,
abrasion resistance, volume stability, and resistance to freezing and
thawing and deicers. Exposed slab surfaces are especially sensitive to
curing as strength development and freeze-thaw resistance of the top
surface of a slab can be reduced significantly when curing is defective.
When Portland cement is mixed with water, a chemical reaction
called hydration takes place. The extent to which this reaction is
completed influences the strength and durability of the concrete.
Freshly mixed concrete normally contains more water than is required
for hydration of the cement; however, excessive loss of water by
evaporation can delay or prevent adequate hydration. The surface is
particularly susceptible to insufficient hydration because it dries first. If
temperatures are favorable, hydration is relatively rapid the first few
days after concrete is placed; however, it is important for water to be
retained in the concrete during this period, that is, for evaporation to
be prevented or substantially reduced.
With proper curing, concrete becomes stronger, more
impermeable, and more resistant to stress, abrasion, and freezing and
thawing. The improvement is rapid at early ages but continues more
slowly thereafter for an indefinite period
STEAM CURING
Steam curing is advantageous where early strength gain in
concrete is important or where additional heat is required to
accomplish hydration, as in cold weather.
Two methods of steam curing are used: live steam at
atmospheric pressure (for enclosed cast-in-place structures and large
precast concrete units) and high-pressure steam in autoclaves (for
small manufactured units). Only live steam at atmospheric pressure will
be discussed here.
A typical steam-curing cycle consists of (1) an initial delay prior
to steaming, (2) a period for increasing the temperature, (3) a period
for holding the maximum temperature constant, and (4) a period for
decreasing the temperature.
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Steam curing at atmospheric pressure is generally done in an

enclosure to minimize moisture and heat losses. Tarpaulins are
frequently used to form the enclosure. Application of steam to the
enclosure should be delayed until initial set occurs or delayed at least 3
hours after final placement of concrete to allow for some hardening of
the concrete. However, a 3- to 5- hour delay period prior to steaming
will achieve maximum early strength, Steam temperature in the
enclosure should be kept at about 60C (140F) until the desired
concrete strength has developed. Strength will not increase
significantly if the maximum steam temperature is raised from 60C to
70C (140F to 160F). Steam-curing temperatures above 70C
(160F) should be avoided; they are uneconomical and may result in
damage. It is recommended that the internal temperature of concrete
not exceed 70C (160F) to avoid heat induced delayed expansion and
undue reduction in ultimate strength. Use of concrete temperatures
above 70C (160F) should be demonstrated to be safe by test or
historic field data.
Concrete temperatures are commonly monitored at the exposed
ends of the concrete element. Monitoring air temperatures alone is not
sufficient because the heat of hydration may cause the internal
temperature of the concrete to exceed 70C (160F). Besides early
strength gain, there are other advantages of curing concrete at
temperatures of around 60C (140F); for example, there is reduced
drying shrinkage and creep as compared to concrete cured at 23C
(73F) for 28 days
Excessive rates of heating and cooling should be avoided to
prevent damaging volume changes. Temperatures in the enclosure
surrounding the concrete should not be increased or decreased more
than 22C to 33C (40F to 60F) per hour depending on the size and
shape of the concrete element.
The curing temperature in the enclosure should be held until the
concrete has reached the desired strength.
The time required will depend on the concrete mixture and steam
temperature in the enclosure
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Page 34 of 49
Q. No. 8
Write short note on any two topics:

a) Relation between compressive and tensile strength.
b) Factor affecting workability
c) Slump and types of Slumps.
Answer:
RELATION BETWEEN COMPRESSIVE AND TENSILE STRENGTH
The theoretical compressive strength is stated to eight times larger than the tensile
strength. This implies a fixed relation between the two strengths. In fact, there is a close
relation but not direct proportionality, the ratio of the two strengths depends on the
general level of strength of concrete. Generally, the ratios of tensile to compressive
strength in lower to higher the compressive strength. Thus, for example, the tensile
strength increases with age at a lower rate than the compressive strength. However, there
are several other factors which affect the relation between the two strengths, the main
ones being the method of testing of concrete in tension, the size of specimen, the shape
and surface texture of coarse aggregate, and the moisture condition of the concrete.
FACTOR AFFECTING WORKABILITY

It is apparent that workability depends on a number of interacting factors:
1.
Water content
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2.
Aggregate type
3.
Grading
4.
Aggregate/cement ratio
5.
Presence of admixtures
6.
Fineness of cement
The main factor is the water content of the mix since by simply adding water the
interparticle lubrication is increased. However, to achieve optimum conditions for
minimum voids, or for maximum density with no segregation, the influence of the
aggregate type and grading has to be considered.
There are two other factors which affect workability :
1.
Time
2.
Temperature
Freshly mixed concrete stiffens with time but this not be confused with the setting
of cement. It is simply that some of mixing water is absorbed by the aggregate, some is
lost by evaporation, and some is removed by initial chemical reactions. The stiffening of
concrete is affectively measured by loss workability with time, known as slump loss,
which varies with the richness of the mix, types of cement, temperature of concrete, and
initial workability. Because of this change in apparent workability or consistence and
because we are really interested in the workability at the time of placing, i.e. some time
after mixing, it is preferable to delay the appropriate test until say 15 minutes after
mixing.
SLUMP AND TYPES OF SLUMP
SLUMP
Slump is an indication of how well the concrete flows. This is important to
determine how much water is in the concrete. Usually, the lower the slump, the less water
is in the mix and the stronger the concrete will be. The slump is measured by putting
concrete in a 12" tall cone with a flat top, then pulling the cone up and allowing the
concrete to slump down. The distance the concrete falls from the top of the cone to the
top of the slumped concrete is the slump. With today's concrete though, you can achieve a
high slump without using much water with the application of superplasticizers or midrange water reducers.
TYPES OF SLUMP TESTS

1. Compaction Factor Test
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Page 37 of 49
field.
2. Slump Test
The slump test is the most well-known and widely used test
method to characterize the workability of fresh concrete. The
inexpensive test, which measures consistency, is used on job sites to
determine rapidly whether a concrete batch should be accepted or
rejected. The test method is widely standardized throughout the world,
including in ASTM C143 in the United States and EN 12350-2 in Europe.
The apparatus consists of a mold in the shape of a frustum of a cone
with a base diameter of 8 inches, a top diameter of 4 inches, and a
height of 12 inches. The mold is filled with concrete in three layers of
equal volume. Each layer is compacted with 25 strokes of a tamping
rod. The slump cone mold is lifted vertically upward and the change in
height of the concrete is measured.
Four types of slumps are commonly encountered, as shown in
Figure 3. The only type of slump permissible under ASTM C143 is
frequently referred to as the true slump, where the concrete remains
intact and retains a symmetric shape. A zero slump and a collapsed
slump are both outside the range of workability that can be measured
with the slump test. Specifically, ASTM
C143 advises caution in interpreting test results less than inch and
greater than 9 inches. If part of the concrete shears from the mass, the
test must be repeated with a different sample of concrete. A concrete
that exhibits a shear slump in a second test is not sufficiently cohesive
and should be rejected.
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True
Zero
Collapsed
Shear
Figure 7: Four Types of Slump

The slump test is not considered applicable for concretes with a
maximum coarse aggregate size greater than 1.5 inches. For concrete
with aggregate greater than 1.5 inches in size, such larger particles can
be removed by wet sieving.
Additional qualitative information on the mobility of fresh
concrete can be obtained after reading the slump measurement.
Concretes with the same slump can exhibit different behavior when
tapped with a tamping rod. A harsh concrete with few fines will tend to
fall apart when tapped and be appropriate only for applications such as
pavements or mass concrete. Alternatively, the concrete may be very
cohesive when tapped, and thus be suitable for difficult placement
conditions.
Slump is influenced by both yield stress and plastic viscosity;
however, for most cases the effect of plastic viscosity on slump is
negligible. Equations have been developed for calculating yield stress
in terms of slump, based on either analytical or experimental analyses.
Since different rheometers measure different absolute values for the
yield stress of identical samples of concrete, the experimental
equations are largely depended on the specific device used to measure
yield stress.
Based on a finite element model of a slump test, Hu et al. (1996)
developed an expression for yield stress in terms of slump and density,
as shown in Equation [1]. The finite element calculations were
performed for concretes with slumps ranging from zero to 25 cm. The
equation is not appropriate for concretes with a plastic viscosity
greater than 300 Pa.s, above which viscosity sufficiently slows flow and
causes thixotropy, resulting in a reduction of the actual slump value. An
experimental study to verify the results of the finite element model
showed satisfactory agreement between Equation [1] and yield
stress measurements from the BTRHEOM rheometer. It should be noted
that the finite element calculations were preformed for concrete with
slumps as low as zero, while the BTRHEOM rheometer can only
measure concretes with slumps greater than approximately 10 cm.
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0 = / 270 (300-s)
--------------------
[1]
Where 0 = yield stress in Pa, s = slump in mm, and =

density in kg/m3.
Based on additional experimental measurements with the
BTRHEOM rheometer, Ferraris and de Larrard (1998) altered Equation
[1], as shown in Equation [2]:
0 = / 347 (300-s) +212
--------------------
[11]
Murata and Kikukawa (1992) used a coaxial cylinders rheometer

to develop an empirical equation for yield stress in terms of slump for
concretes with slumps ranging from 12.5 cm to 26 cm, as shown in
Equation [3]:
0 = 714 - 473log(s)
-------------------------- [111]
Where 0 = yield stress in Pa and s = slump in cm.
A comparison of the equations developed by Hu et al. (1996),
Ferraris and de Larrad (1998), and Murata and Kikukawa (1992) is
presented in Figure 4.
Figure 8: Comparison of Equations Relating Yield Stress to Slump

Using a viscoplastic finite element model, Tanigawa and Mori
(1989) developed three-dimensional graphs relating slump, yield
stress, and plastic viscosity for concretes with slumps ranging from 1 to
26 cm. Schowalter and Christensen (1998) developed a simple
analytical equation to relate slump to yield stress and the height of the
Page 40 of 49
un-yielded region of the slump cone, defined as the region where the
weight of concrete above a given point is insufficient to overcome the
yield stress. Other, more complex analytical analyses have been
developed.
Additionally, Tatters all and Ban fill (1983) have presented
experimental data showing a relationship between slump and yield
stress.
3.Vebe Consist-meter
The Vebe consistometer (Bartos 1992; Scanlon 1994; Bartos,
Sonebi, and Tamimi 2002) measures the remolding ability of concrete
under vibration. The test results reflect the amount of energy required
to remold a quantity of concrete under given vibration conditions. The
Vebe consist meter is applicable to concrete with slumps less than 2
inches. The apparatus, shown in Figure 4, consists of a metal cylindrical
container mounted on a vibrating table, which produces a sinusoidal
vibration. In the version of the test standardized in
Europe as EN 12350-3, a slump cone is placed in the center of
the cylinder and filled in the same manner as in the standard slump
test. After the slump cone is removed, a clear plastic disk is set atop
the fresh concrete. The Vebe table is started and the time for the
concrete to remold from the slump cone shape to the shape of the
outer cylindrical container is recorded as a measure of consistency. The
sliding clear plastic disk facilitates the determination of the end of the
test.
Figure 9: Vebe Consistometer
Page 41 of 49
Juvas (1994) has presented a modified Vebe test to more efficiently

measure low slump concretes that exhibit standard Vebe times greater
than 30 seconds. In the modified Vebe test, a 20 kg surcharge is
attached to the rod above the clear plastic disk. The remainder of the
test apparatus and procedure is unchanged. The modified Vebe test
more closely represents the production of precast concrete elements
that are both vibrated and pressed.
ASTM C1170 describes two variations on the procedure described
above for use with rollercompacted concrete. Instead of placing
concrete in a slump cone in the cylinder, concrete is placed directly
into the 9 -inch diameter, 7 -inch tall cylinders without compaction.
For Test Method A, a 50 pound surcharge is placed on the sliding plastic
disk. The vibrator is started and the time for the concrete to
consolidate and a mortar ring to form around the plastic disk is
recorded. The surcharge is then removed and the concrete is vibrated
further until the total vibration time is 2 minutes. The density of the
consolidated concrete in the mold is then determined. When the Vebe
time by Test Method A is less than 5 seconds, Test Method B should be
used. In Test Method B, the surcharge is not used. Both the time for a
mortar ring to form around the perimeter of the cylinder and the final
density of the compacted concrete are recorded. Both methods are
applicable for concretes with maximum aggregate sizes up to 2 inches.
A minimum of 50 pounds of concrete is required for each test method.
Since the test apparatus is large and heavy, it is inappropriate for
field use. The vibrating table must be mounted on a large and stable
base of sufficient mass to absorb the tables vibrations. The main use
for the test has been in the laboratory and in the precast industry,
where low slump concrete mixes are commonly used (Bartos 1992).
The apparatus is neither directly related to slump nor plastic viscosity.
Page 42 of 49
Q. No. 9
Page 43 of 49
Write some cold weather concreting problems. Describe any

three precautions in cold weather concreting.
Answer:
COLD WEATHER COCRETING PROBLEMS
The problems of cold weather concreting arise from the action of frost on
fresh concrete. In order to prevent the damage of concrete by repeated of cycles of
freezing and thawing, air can be deliberately entrained within the cement paste by the use
of air entraining agent. Air entrainment is effective, however, only when applied to mixes
with low water / cement ratios so that the cement paste has only a small volume
capillaries which are segmented or discontinuous. To achieve this latter feature, concrete
should be well compacted, and substantial hydration must have taken place before
exposure to frost.
If the concrete which has not yet set is allowed to freeze, the mixing water
converts to ice and there is an increase in the over all volume of the concrete. Since there
is no water available for chemical reactions, the setting and hardening of the concrete are
delayed and consequently, there is little cement paste that can be disrupted by the
formation of ice. When at a later stage thawing takes place, the concrete will set and
hardens in its expanded state so that it will contain a large volume of pores and
consequently have a low strength.
PRECAUTION IN COLD WEATHER COCRETING
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There are many precautions of working of concrete in cold weather but some are
following:
1.
It is possible to revibrate the concrete when it thaws and thus re-compact

it, but such a procedure is not generally recommended since it is difficult
to ascertain exactly when the concrete has started to set.
2.
For the thin structure, in cold weather concreting, the concrete must have
placed at normal temperature i.e. not less than 130C. If the thickness of
concrete structure is more than 1.8 meter then concrete has placed at 50C.
3.
To increasing the temperature of concrete, water and aggregate should be

heat up before the mixing of concrete ingredients.
Page 45 of 49
Q. No. 10
Define admixture. Write down the purpose of any three
admixtures.
Answer:
ADMIXTURES
The extra ingredients which are mixed in concrete before mixing to create the
special characteristics are called Admixture.
A great number of proprietary products are available their desirable effects are
described by the manufacturers but some other effects may not be known, so that a
cautious approach, including performance tests, is sensible.
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The term additives and admixtures are used synonymously, through, strictly
speaking, additives refers to substance which is added at the cement manufacturing stage,
while admixture implies addition at the mixing stage.
TYPES OF ADMIXTURES
Admixtures are organic or inorganic and are in solid or liquid state. According to
their properties the admixtures have following different types:
1.
1.
Accelerators
2.
Retarders
3.
Water reducing admixtures
4.
Special admixtures
Accelerators
These are admixtures which accelerate the hardening or the development of early
strength of concrete, the admixture need not have any specified effect on the setting time.
There exist also set accelerating admixtures which specifically reduce the setting
time. An example of quick setting admixture is Sodium Carbonate which is used to
promote a flash set in place results in effective cooling as well as effective curing. Other
methods of Curing are less effective
2.
Retarders
These are compounds, which discontinue the setting of cement rapidly, and
increase the setting time. Retarders help in hot weather concreting. Cement sets rapidly in
summer weather and concreting could not satisfactory.
Especially when the ornamental work required, then it is necessary to ready the
mortar after its mixing. If we do not use the retarders in it, it must be used in Hrs: after
that the setting of cement began.
The Sugar is normally used as a retarder.
3.
Water reducing admixtures
The compounds used in concrete at the time of mixing for increasing the
workability of concrete, are called water reducing admixtures. These compounds help to
achieve the required workability by using the less amount of water in concrete.
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By using these compounds at the time of mixing, we can reduce the amount of
water as 5% to 10%. Lignosulfonic Acid and its salts are the examples of Water
Reducing Admixtures:
Q. No. 11
Page 48 of 49
Write short answers to the following questions:

a) Describe the purpose of High performance concrete.
b) Determine the porosity at a w/c ratio of 0.70 in following figure.
c) Describe two factors affecting on strength of concrete.

I.
_________________________________________________
II.
_________________________________________________
d) Fill in the blank

I.
Concrete has relatively ___________ compressive strength

but significantly______________ tensile strength.
II.
Concrete has a tensile strength approximately

_______________ % of its compressive strength.
Answer:
HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE
High performance concrete (HPC) has been defined as concrete that possesses
high workability, high strength and high durability. ACI (American Concrete Institute)
has defined HPC as a concrete in which certain characteristics are developed for a
particular application and environment. Under the ACI definition durability is optional
and this has led to a number of HPC structures, which should theoretically have had very
long services lives, exhibiting durability associated distress early in their lives. ACI also
defines a high-strength concrete as concrete that has a specified compressive strength for
design of 6,000 psi (41 MPa) or greater.
Page 49 of 49
OR
High Performance Concrete (HPC) is a concrete made with appropriate materials
combined according to a selected mix design; properly mixed, transported, placed,
consolidated and cured so that the resulting concrete will give excellent performance in
the structure in which it is placed, in the environment to which it is exposed and with the
loads to which it will be subject for its design life. Mix proportions for high-performance
concrete (HPC) are influenced by many factors, including specified performance
properties, locally available materials, local experience, personal preferences, and cost.
With todays technology, there are many products available for use in concrete to enhance
its properties.
The primary application for HPC have been structures requiring long service lives
such as oil drilling platform, long span bridges and parking structures. HPC still requires
good construction practice and good curing to deliver high performance
Determine the porosity at a w/c ratio of 0.70 in following figure.

Cement paste, capillary porosity (%)
B).
50
40
30
c).
Describe 20two factors affecting on strength of concrete.

I.
II.
10
(Water Cement Ratio,)

(Compaction of Concrete).
e) Fill in the blank
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
W/c Ratio
III.
Concrete has relatively ______Higher_____ compressive strength

but significantly _______Less_______ tensile strength.
IV.
Concrete has a tensile strength approximately ______(12.5)______ %

of its compressive strength.
Page 50 of 49
Encircle the correct answer:

I.

a) 10-25% volume of concrete.
b) 30-45% volume of concrete.
c) 60-75% volume of concrete.
II.

a) Coarse aggregate.
b) Fine aggregate.
c) Fine cement.
III.

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
IV.
Q. No. 12
a) Compression
b) Tension
c) Both compression and tension
V.

a) Dehydration reaction
b) Hydration reaction
Page 51 of 49
c) Both hydration and dehydration reaction.
Answer:
I.

d) 10-25% volume of concrete.
e) 30-45% volume of concrete.
f) 60-75% volume of concrete.
II.

d) Coarse aggregate.
e) Fine aggregate.
f) Fine cement.
Page 52 of 49
III.

d) 1
e) 2
f) 3
IV.

d) Compression
e) Tension
f) Both compression and tension
V.

d) Dehydration reaction
e) Hydration reaction
f) Both hydration and dehydration reaction.
END
Page 53 of 49

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PRESTON UNIVERSITY

DISTANCE LEARNING ASSIGNMENT

c) Describe two factor affecting on strength of concrete.

d) Fill in the blank

Concrete has relatively ___________ compressive strength but

Concrete has a tensile strength approximately _______________ % of

Aggregate normally occupy about:

Sand is also known as

Normally how many setting times are defined:

Concrete is strong in:

Concrete gains strength as a result of:

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

DISTANCE LEARNING ASSIGNMENT

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

IMPORTANCE OF GRADING OF AGGREGATES.

Five different kinds of size distributions, dense graded, gap-graded, uniformly

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

Write a note on some qualities of water used for mixing and

Concrete is a chemically combined mass which is manufactured from binding

1. Acceptable Mixing Water

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

4. Other inorganic impurities, of possible industrial origin, ones that may be

Oil, fat or detergents

Air entraining possible

Calcium chloride and some other calcium

Probability of set acceleration

Sugar, salt or zinc, lead, and a range of

Probability of set retardation

Strong probability of steel corrosion

2. Water Used In Curing:

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

What is slump? Describe three types of slump tests with the

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

Slump is an indication of how well the concrete flows. This is important to

TYPES OF SLUMP TESTS

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

Figure 1: Compaction Factor Test Apparatus

Note 4 (Wilby 1991)

Vibrated concrete in roads

Mass concrete foundations

Normal reinforced work

Sections with congested

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

is bulky and a balance is required to perform measurements. In

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

Four types of slumps are commonly encountered, as shown in

Figure 2: Four Types of Slump

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

as shown in Equation [1]. The finite element calculations were

Where 0 = yield stress in Pa, s = slump in mm, and =

0 = / 347 (300-s) +212

Murata and Kikukawa (1992) used a coaxial cylinders rheometer

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

Figure 3: Comparison of Equations Relating Yield Stress to Slump

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

5. Compared to other commonly used concrete tests, such as for air

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

Figure 4: Vebe Consistometer

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

Write briefly the procedure of compacting factor test.

[D:/WAQAR AHMED/ASSIGNMENTS 6th SEMESTER] July 4, 2011

The apparatus, which is commercially available, consist of a rigid frame