QUALITY OF CONCRETE
“The concrete used shall be one that has consistent quality and
workability suitable for the construction tasks to be performed
and, after hardening, has the required properties such as strength,
durability, water-tightness, and cracking resistance.”
In order to create a concrete structure that has the required
performance attributes, it is necessary to use concrete that provides the
structure with those performance attributes and makes proper
concreting possible. In accordance with this principle, this session
specifies basic quality requirements for concrete.
The basic quality requirements for concrete specified in this chapter are
qualitative consistency, workability, strength, durability, water-tightness,
and cracking resistance.
A. QUALITATIVE CONSISTENCY
Highly variable quality of concrete supplied for the construction of a
structure not only increase the possibility of occurrence of defects
during construction but also necessitates the use of a large factor of
safety in mix design to achieve the required strength, making the
construction project uneconomical. Inconsistent quality of concrete may
also degrade durability, cracking resistance and appearance. When
manufacturing concrete, therefore, it is very important to secure a
supply of concrete of stable quality. To do that, it is important to perform
thorough material quality control and concrete manufacturing control
B. WORKABILITY
In order to carry out construction work efficiently and create a concrete
structure with as few defects as possible, the concrete used shall have
the type of workability suitable for such tasks as hauling, placing,
compacting and finishing. In other words, workability attributes such as
filling ability by which to completely cast formwork including the regions
around reinforcing steel and corners, pumpability necessary for on-site
pumping, and appropriate setting properties are very important in order
to carry out construction appropriately and efficiently and construct a
concrete structure with as few defects as possible
C. STRENGTH
If a concrete structure is to maintain the required safety and
serviceability during its service period, the concrete used shall have
the strength assumed at the design stage, that is, the design
strength. Initial strength development properties are an important
factor affecting the speed of construction.
D. DURABILITY
If a concrete structure is to maintain the required safety and
serviceability during its service period, the concrete used shall have
the required durability as well as the design strength. In order for
the reinforcing steel placed in the concrete structure to perform the
required functions over a long period of time, the concrete needs to
be capable of effectively protecting the reinforcing steel from
corrosion.
E. WATER-TIGHTNESS
Water-tightness is a quality attribute indicating resistance to water
or moisture permeability. Concrete structures that require water-
tightness are structures whose safety, durability, functionality,
maintenance, appearance, etc., are affected by water permeability.
F. CRACKING RESISTANCE
Excessive cracking in a concrete structure not only has adverse
effects on durability and water-tightness but also degrades the
appearance of the structure. It is very important, therefore, to use
concrete that is highly resistant to cracking
There may be cases, depending on the type of structure or member,
where quality attributes of concrete other than those described in
this chapter are required. In such cases, the quality of concrete shall
be determined so that the required performance of the structure
can be achieved