Cement and Concrete

(Callister – pages 582 – 584)

(Extra handout available on the web page)

Want to learn more and play in the lab..
CET 305, CE315, CE413

Good overview - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete

Concrete Macrostructure

4 elements to concrete
Cement
Sand
Gravel (aggregate)
and water

Concrete
5 ksi

870 psi
Advantages Disadvantages 435 psi
-ability to cast -low ductility
-economical -low strength-to-weight 4 msi
-durable
du ab e -volume
volume instability
-fire resistant
-energy efficient
-on-site fabrication
-aesthetic properties 145 lbs/ft3
110 lbs/ft3

1
 Basic raw materials for Portland cement
Lime – CaO
Silica – SiO2
Alumina – Al2O3
Iron oxide – Fe2O3

Heat these in an oven at 1400 - 1650 oC to get:

35 – 65%
15 – 40%
(by weight) 0 – 15%
6 – 20%
Fine aggregate < # 16 sieve (1.18 mm) > Coarse

Process for Portland cement

“ball mill”

“clinker”

Lots of energy required for this = high cost of cement

The amount of water present drastically affects the final strength

2
“H” = H2O

Cement Types

3
Cement Types Exothermic reaction – heat of hydration

Large volumes generate lots of heat

Maximum ~ 2 to 4 days after casting

Elastic Modulus of Concrete

• Typicalvalues for concrete are 25-30 GPa (3-4 msi)
(Steel = 207 GPa, Aluminum = 70 GPa)
• Non-linear elastic behavior because of the
variable nature of concrete

Modulus of Elasticity based upon strength

ACI 8.5.1 (American Concrete Institute)
wc = density (90-155 lbs/ft3 or 1400 - 2500 kg/m3)
f'C = compressive strength (psi or MPa)
English units psi
for standard weight (145 lbs/ft3)

psi
Metric
kg/m3 N/mm2
MPa
MPa

for std weight (2323 kg/m3)

4
 Role of Water in concrete
-w/c = water to cement ratio by weight
-Stoichiometric – need a
w/c ratio of about 0.25
(580 psi)
-more is needed due to
ceramic absorption
(3 - 7 ksi)
(15 ksi) -Typical mixes use a w/c
ratio of about 0.4 – 0.6

- 0.4 is a stiff mix and increasing water

is hard to work with water = 1000 kg/m3
-more water = easier to Sand ~ 1400 – 1600 kg/m3
work, but weaker Gravel ~ 2500 – 2800 kg/m3

6” diameter compression test cylinders

Effect of water-cement ratio by weight on the Compressive strength variation

compressive strength of normal concrete.
(Portland Cement Association)

Nominal = 3000 psi, mean = 3940 psi, range ~2000 – 6000 psi

5
% depends upon mix design, averages ~ 0.05% - 0.1%

Water will “diffuse” through concrete (freeze-thaw action)

WHAT TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM (concrete)

-Understand the handouts important terms and concepts.

-Concrete versus cement and the influence of water content

or w/c ratio.

-Concrete CURES and we specify a type of cement (table 11.5,

p 616 in the handout) and a 28-day compressive
strength.

-the most common 28-day strength =3000 psi (21 MPa) (2007).

-w/c ratios most commonly used are between 0.45 and 0.65

-Understand the assigned homework and examples given in class

(and videos shown).

-Example 11.4 (mix design) in the handout will NOT be covered

6
 New designs and ideas
Concrete formwork award of the year

Light transmitting concrete

Designed by Hungarian Aron Losonczi, Litracon creates a mysterious

light material that retains the strength and texture of concrete. Litracon
uses a matrix of glass optic fibres to transmit light through the
concrete.

Driveway of the year award

What about mowing the lawn????

Site unknown - Dairy Ranch Road ?? Fort Lewis College in Colorado??

Analysis – winter time frame ~Dec 2003? – red soil..........