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Properties of Hardened Concrete
1.Strength
• Strength (after 28 days)
– compressive strength 2000-8000 psi
– tensile strength 200-800 psi
According to strength, concrete can be classified as,
Grade 7 and 10 – plain concrete
Grade 15 – reinforced concrete with lightweight aggregate
Grade 20 and 25 – reinforced concrete with dense aggregate
Strength and Curing
moist cured entire time
Strength
in air after 7 days
100%
in air after 3 days
in air entire time
28 time
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Strength and W/C Ratio
• The water–cement ratio is the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of cement used in a
concrete mix.
• A lower ratio leads to higher strength and durability, but may make the mix difficult to work
with and form.
• Workability can be resolved with the use of plasticizers or super-plasticizers.
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• Factors Affecting Strength
– Curing conditions, humidity, temperature
– w/c , (inversely related)
– Aggregate characteristics, roughness, grading,
– Cement type
– Cement content (directly related)
– Mixing water
– Stages of concreting
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2.Durability
– The durability of normal concrete depends mainly on the
permeability, which in turn depends on the water/cement ratio and
degree of hydration.
– Another way of specifying durability indirectly by specifying the
strength.
3.Fire Resistance
– Concrete is a non-combustible material and does not emit any toxic fumes when
exposed to high temperatures
– However, it will eventually degrade when it exposed to high temperatures
4.Acoustical Property
o Good soundproofed material as it is a dense material
5.Acid and Alkali Attacks
– Withstand for Sulphate and sea water attacks
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Testing of Concrete
Slump Test
Compacting factor Test
Workability
Vebe/Veebee test
Flow table Test
Concrete Testing
Cube test
Strength Core Test
Rebound hammer Test
1. Slump Test
• Workability, consistency
2.Slump Cone Filled
1.Sample collected
3.Cone Removed and Concrete
Allowed to ‘Slump’
4.Slump Measured
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Slump test cont’d
Method
• The mould is filled up in four equal layers and each layer is compacted by the steel
rod.
• The surface is smoothened by trowel and the mould is vertically lifted immediately
without disturbing the concrete.
• The concrete is allowed to settle slowly.
• When the settlement ceases completely, the vertical settlement is measured in
centimeters. This is known as “Slump”.
• Values of slump to be used for various works may differ with the type of concrete
• Workability categories and applications
Category Slump test Application
(mm)
Extremely 0 mm Lean mix concrete for roads (compacted by vibrating
low roller), pre-cast paving slabs
Very low 1-10 Roads compacted by power operated machines
Low 10-30 High quality structural concrete, mass concrete
Medium 30-60 Normal purposes – reinforced concrete
High 60-180 Areas with congested reinforcement, concrete for
placing underwater
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Slump test contd. …
• The slump can be controlled by a change in any one or all of the following:
– Grade of aggregates,
– Proportion of aggregates, or
– Moisture content.
2. Compacting factor Test
Compacting factor = Weight of partially compacted concrete
Weight of fully compacted concrete
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Compacting factor Test Cont’d
• Place the concrete sample gently in the upper hopper to its brim using the hand scoop and level it.
• Cover the cylinder.
• Open the trapdoor at the bottom of the upper hopper so that concrete fall into the lower hopper.
Push the concrete sticking on its sides gently with the road.
• Open the trapdoor of the lower hopper and allow the concrete to fall into the cylinder below.
• Cut of the excess of concrete above the top level of cylinder using trowels and level it.
• Clean the outside of the cylinder.
• Weight the cylinder with concrete. This weight is known as the weight of partially compacted
concrete (W1).
• Empty the cylinder and then refill it with the same concrete mix in layers approximately 5 cm deep,
each layer being heavily rammed to obtain full compaction.
• Level the top surface.
• Weigh the cylinder with fully compacted. This weight is known as the weight of fully compacted
concrete (W2).
• Find the weight of empty cylinder (W).
Compaction Factor Value= (W1-W)
(W2-W)
