Assignment No.

Module Code:CE5006
Module Title:Concrete Technology
Name of the [Lecturer]:Eng.Praboda Jinasena
Date of Submission: 17/09/2017

Assignment 01

Name: W.A.D.S.M Wijesinghe

Concrete is a mixture of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregates, water and admixtures. For stronger,
durable and impermeable concrete depend on material selection, mixing process, placing process, quality
control process and procedure in after care.

Material selection
Aggregates -
Mainly aggregate selection divides in two parts. They are fine aggregates and coarse aggregates. The
good quality fine aggregates found in rive sand and crush rock fines .Also the organic content must be
minimum in river sand. Also the coarse aggregates found in gravel pit and quarries. Aggregates must be
store separate and cover from bad weather condition and heat. Also the low silica content of aggregates
is very important in Alkali Aggregate reaction .For good concrete mix need less silica content in
aggregates. If there is no less Silica content aggregates better to coat the protective coat around the
aggregates. The qualities of the coarse aggregates are stiffer and spherical with sharp edges in rough
texture. Also good concrete mix need well graded gradation for effectively fill the spaces in the concrete.
Use maximum size of aggregate for concrete mix for effective usage of cement and water content. The
maximum sizes of the aggregates depend on the structural member size, spacing of reinforcement bars
and economically availability.

Cement -
Cement is selecting according to the Engineering application. Such as ordinary Portland cement, low heat
of hydration cement, low alkali content cement. Also less cement content beneficial for low heat of
hydration. Also cement can replace by mineral admixtures. These admixtures are Silica Fume, Fly ash.

Water-
Use high quality water and must be free from Chloride, Sulphate, Silt, Oil, Alkali Carbonate, Bicarbonate,
Zinc, Cupper .Use lower water content as much as possible for durable impermeable concrete. Use water
reducing admixtures to control water content of the mix. Also the generated heat is very high, better to
use chill water or crushed ice.

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Admixtures-
According to the concrete application and weather condition admixtures are needed. The concrete
application and most suitable admixture name is given below table
Admixture type Application Name of the admixture
Water reducing admixtures For high strength concrete Super Plastlizers
Setting control admixtures Emergency repair, shotcrete work ,Cold Calcium Asitate ,Calcium Formate
country construction
Setting control admixtures Delay fast setting (high temperature) Ligno Sulfonic acid, Hydroxy
Carboxylic acid,suger

Mineral admixtures To reduce cement content ,improve Silica Fume, Fly Ash
strength, reduce permeability

Mixing
For good mixing need adequate water, admixtures, cement, maximum size of aggregate properties and
aggregates mix proportions. During mixing, massive heat generated. Take suitable measure to overcome these
problems. During concrete mixing in site, appoint supervisors to check quality of the concrete mixing process.
To check the adding excessive water ,aggregates and cement .Also prevent the segregation during
mixing .Also in batching plant ,appoint a competent officers and engineers for good and quality concrete .Also
defective plant and transit mixing machine must be repair.
Placing
Concrete must be place as soon as possible by concrete pumps, skip buckets or wheel barrow without
segregation. Also should not move over the long distance. Before pouring any structural member conduct
quality control tests. These tests are slump test and cube test. Slump test check the workability. Cube strength
checks the strength of the concrete. Concrete placing is most suitable in night time .Also not pouring concrete
in very high temperature in formwork. Then concrete pour into form work and need proper compaction to
remove air bubbles. The proper compaction can be done in vibrators. In concrete operation, appoint a
competent concrete Forman and concrete gang to continue the concrete work. Also need proper supervision
in form work, reinforcement work and safety during concrete operation. Also need concentration inadequate
or excessive vibration, grout leakage and movement of formwork. If there any movement of formwork occur,
suddenly stop pouring concrete and get remedial measures to fix the problem. Also use proper joint with help
of design engineer.

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Quality control
Slump test check the workability of the concrete. Mainly four types slumps. They are true slump, shear slump,
collapse slump and no slump. Only accepted slump is true slumps. Others are no good. Workable concrete is
very easy for handle. Cube strength gives the idea of the strength of concrete. Also the analysing the concrete
strength is very important in specimen type. The cube specimen and cylinder specimen no gain same strength.
And also need capping and grinding need for smooth level surface for placing crushing machine.

After care
Concrete curing needed for continuous hydration reaction process. There are several methods for concrete
curing. They are spraying or sprinkling, ponding, surface covering and shading, membrane, sealing and steam
curing. These methods are varying the curing member position, availability of water source and time duration.
 Horizontal plane members (examples -slabs, roof, road)-Ponding method more economical and easy.
 Vertical plane members- Spraying and sprinkling method require more water. Also surface covering
and shading, membrane and sealing methods are costly but can use any surface.
 Precast members-most suitable method in steam curing .This method require less time.

For proper material selection, mixing, placing, and quality control and after care gain concrete member free
from cracking, corrosion reinforcement, honeycomb, concrete spalling, delamination and poputs. Finally get
the strongest, durable and impermeable concrete.