02/08/25 Engr.

Ibrahim 1
 LECTURE# 04-05-06-08

Fresh Concrete Properties & its Standard Tests

Material & concrete technology

Instructor: Engr. Ibrahim

AL Madar M.G.M Construction L.L.C

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 Properties OF Fresh Concrete
Fresh Concrete:
It is the concrete phase from time of mixing to end of time
concrete surface finished in its final location in the structure.
Concrete Operations:
They include batching, mixing, transporting, placing,
compacting, surface finishing . Then curing of in-placed concrete
starts 6-10 hours after casting (placing) and during first few days
of hardening is important.

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 Properties OF Fresh Concrete
It is known that fresh state properties enormously affect hardened state
properties due to the following reasons:
The potential strength and durability(the ability to withstand wear, pressure,
or damage.) of concrete of a given mix proportion is very dependent on the
degree of its compaction(squeezing force).
The first 48 hours are very important for the performance of the concrete
structure.
•It controls the long-term behavior, influence f'c (ultimate strength), Ec
(elastic modulus), creep(Elastic deformations occur immediately after
the concrete is subjected to a given load, according to Hooke's Law. Inelastic
deformations increase with time as the concrete experiences a sustained
load. This inelastic deformation, also known as creep, increases at a
decreasing rate during the loading period.
•
), and durability.
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 Properties OF Fresh Concrete
Elasticity and Strength Of Concrete
The elastic properties of materials are a measure of their
resistance to deformation under an applied load (but the
elastic strain is recovered when the load is removed).
Strength usually refers to the maximum stress that a given
kind of sample can carry.
Understanding these properties and how they are measured
is essential for anyone wishing to use materials

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 Main Prop. OF Fresh Concrete

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 Concrete Consistency

The ability of freshly mixed concrete or mortar to flow; the

usual measurements are slump for concrete, flow for mortar
or grout, and penetration resistance for neat cement paste.

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 Concrete Consistency
• Consistency is the aspect of workability related to the flow
characteristics of fresh concrete. It is an indication of the
fluidity or wetness of a mix and is measured by the slump test
• However, it must not be assumed that the wetter the mix the
more workable it is. If a mix is too wet, segregation may occur
with resulting honeycomb, excessive bleeding, and sand
streaking on the formed surfaces

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 Concrete Consistency
• On the other hand, if a mix is too dry it may be difficult to
place and compact, and segregation may occur because of lack
of cohesiveness and plasticity of the paste.

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 3 Ways to determine Consistency of Fresh Concrete

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 Slump Test
Definition
A slump test is a method used to determine the consistency of
concrete. The consistency, or stiffness, indicates how much water
has been used in the mix. The stiffness of the concrete mix should
be matched to the requirements for the finished product quality
Slump is a measurement of concrete’s workability, or fluidity.
Principle
The slump test result is a measure of the behavior of a compacted
inverted cone of concrete under the action of gravity. It measures
the consistency or the wetness of concrete.

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 Slump Test
Apparatus
Slump cone : frustum of a cone, 300 mm (12 in) of height. The
base is 200 mm (8in) in diameter and it has a smaller opening at
the top of 100 mm
Scale for measurement,
Temping rod(steel) 15mm diameter, 60cm length .

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 Slump Test
Procedure
The base is placed on a smooth surface and the container is filled
with concrete in three layers, whose workability is to be tested .
Each layer is temped 25 times with a standard 16 mm (5/8 in)
diameter steel rod, rounded at the end.
When the mold is completely filled with concrete, the top surface
is struck off (leveled with mold top opening) by means of
screening and rolling motion of the temping rod.
The mold must be firmly held against its base during the entire
operation so that it could not move due to the pouring of concrete
and this can be done by means of handles or foot – rests brazed to
the mold.

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 Slump Test
Procedure
Immediately after filling is completed and the concrete is leveled,
the cone is slowly and carefully lifted vertically, an unsupported
concrete will now slump.
The decrease in the height of the center of the slumped concrete
is called slump.
The slump is measured by placing the cone just besides the slump
concrete and the temping rod is placed over the cone so that it
should also come over the area of slumped concrete.
The decrease in height of concrete to that of mould is noted with
scale. (usually measured to the nearest 5 mm (1/4 in).

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 Slump Test
Precautions
In order to reduce the influence on slump of the variation in the
surface friction, the inside of the mold and its base should be
moistened at the beginning of every test, and prior to lifting of the
mold the area immediately around the base of the cone should be
cleaned from concrete which may have dropped accidentally.

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 Slump Test
Types Of Slump
The slumped concrete takes various shapes,
and according to the profile of slumped concrete, the
slump is termed as;
Collapse Slump
Shear Slump
True Slump

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 Slump Test
Types Of Slump
Collapse Slump
In a collapse slump the concrete collapses completely.
Collapse slump indicates that concrete mix is too wet and the mix is
regarded as harsh and lean
Shear Slump
If one-half of the cone slides down an inclined plane, the slump is
said to be a shear slump.
If a shear or collapse slump is achieved, a fresh sample should be
taken and the test is repeated.
Shear slump indicates that the concrete lacks cohesion. It may
undergo segregation and bleeding and thus is undesirable for the
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durability of concrete. Engr. Izaz Ahmad 19
 Slump Test
Types Of Slump
True Slump
True slump refers to general drop of the concrete mass evenly all
around without disintegration
This is the only slump which is used in various tests.
Mixes of stiff(hard) consistence have a Zero slump, so that in the
rather dry range no variation can be detected between mixes of
different workability.
However , in a lean mix with a tendency to harshness, a true
slump can easily change to the shear slump type or even to
collapse, and widely different values of slump can be obtained in
different samples from the same mix; thus, the slump test is
unreliable for lean mixes.
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 Slump Test
Uses
The slump test is used to ensure uniformity for different batches
of similar concrete under field conditions and to ascertain the
effects of plasticizers on their introduction.
This test is very useful on site as a check on the day-to-day or
hour- to-hour variation in the materials being fed into the mixer.
An increase in slump may mean, for instance, that the moisture
content of aggregate has unexpectedly increases.
Other cause would be a change in the grading of the aggregate,
such as a deficiency of sand.
Too high or too low a slump gives immediate warning and
enables the mixer operator to remedy the situation.
This application of slump test as well as its simplicity, is
responsible for its widespread use.
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 Slump Test
Degree of Compacting Use for which concrete is
Slump (mm)
workability Factor suitable

Very dry mixes; used in road

Very low 0 - 25 0.78 making. Roads vibrated by power
operated machines

Low workability mixes; used for

foundations with light
Low 25 - 50 0.85 reinforcement. Roads vibrated by
hand operated Machines

Medium workability mixes;

manually compacted flat slabs
using crushed aggregates. Normal
Medium 50 - 100 0.92 reinforced concrete manually
compacted and heavily reinforced
sections with vibrations

High workability concrete; for

sections with congested
High 100 - 175 0.95 reinforcement. Not normally
suitable for vibration

>Table : Workability, Slump and Compacting Factor of Engr.

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Izaz 19 or 38 mm (3/4 or 1 1/2 in) maximum size of aggregate. 22
 Slump Test
Slump (mm) 0 - 20 20 - 40 40 - 120 120 - 200 200 - 220

Consistency Dry Stiff Plastic Wet Sloppy

>Table : Relation between Consistency and Slump values

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 Slump Test
Difference in Standards
The slump test is referred to in several testing and building code,
with minor differences in the details of performing the test.
United States
In the United States, engineers use the ASTM standards and
AASHTO specifications when referring to the concrete
slump test. The American standards explicitly state that the
slump cone should have a height of 12-in, a bottom diameter
of 8-in and an upper diameter of 4-in. The ASTM standards
also state in the procedure that when the cone is removed, it
should be lifted up vertically, without any rotational
movement at all The concrete slump test is known as
"Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement
Concrete" and carries the code (ASTM C 143) or (AASHTO
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T 119). Engr. Izaz Ahmad 24
 Slump Test
United Kingdom & Europe
In the United Kingdom, the Standards specify a slump
cone height of 300-mm, a bottom diameter of 200-mm
and a top diameter of 100-mm. The British Standards do
not explicitly specify that the cone should only be lifted
vertically. The slump test in the British standards was
first (BS 1881–102) and is now replaced by the
European Standard (BS EN 12350-2)

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 Concrete Workability
Definition
The property of fresh concrete which is indicated by the
amount of useful internal work required to fully compact the
concrete without bleeding or segregation in the finished
product.

Workability is one of the physical parameters of concrete

which affects the strength and durability as well as the cost
of labor and appearance of the finished product.

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 Concrete Workability
Concrete workability is the relative ease with which a fresh mix
can be handled, placed, compacted, and finished without
segregation or separation of the individual ingredients. Good
workability is required to produce concrete that is both
economical and high in quality. Fresh concrete has good
workability if it can be formed, compacted, and finished to its
final shape and texture with least effort and without segregation
of the ingredients. Concrete with poor workability does not flow
smoothly into forms or properly envelop reinforcing steel and
embedded items, and it is difficult to compact and finish

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 Concrete Workability
Factors affecting workability
Water content in the concrete mix
Amount of cement & its Properties
Aggregate Grading (Size Distribution)
Nature of Aggregate Particles (Shape, Surface Texture, Porosity
etc.)
Temperature of the concrete mix
Humidity of the environment
Mode of compaction
Method of placement of concrete
Method of transmission of concrete

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 Concrete Workability
How To improve the workability of concrete
increase water/cement ratio
increase size of aggregate
use well-rounded and smooth aggregate instead of irregular shape
increase the mixing time
use non-porous and saturated aggregate
with addition of air-entraining mixtures

An on site simple test for determining workability is the SLUMP

TEST.

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 Compacting Factor Test
Introduction
These tests were developed in the UK by Glanville
( 1947 ) and it measures the degree of compaction for
the standard amount of work and thus offer a direct and
reasonably reliable assessment(ABILITY) of the
workability Of concrete . the test require measurement
of the weight of the partially and fully compacted
concrete and the ratio the partially compacted weight to
the fully compacted weight, which is always less than
one, is known as compacted factor .
For the normal range of concrete the compacting factor
lies between 0.8 - 0.92
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 Compacting Factor Test
Apparatus
Trowels
Hand Scoop (15.2 cm long)
 Rod of steel or other suitable material
(1.6 cm diameter, 61 cm long rounded
at one end ).
Balance.

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 Compacting Factor Test
 Procedure
1) Ensure the apparatus and associated equipment are clean before test and
free from hardened concrete and superfluous water .
2) Weigh the bottom cylinder to nearest 10gm , put it back on the stand
and cover it up with a pair of floats .
3) Gently fill the upper hopper with the sampled concrete to the level of
the rim with use of a scoop .
4) Immediately open the trap door of the upper hopper and allow the
sampled concrete to fall into the middle hopper .
5) Remove the floats on top of the bottom cylinder and open the trap door
of the middle hopper allowing the sampled concrete to fall into the
bottom cylinder .
6) Remove the surplus concrete above the top of the bottom cylinder by
holding a float in each hand and move towards each other to cut off the
concrete across the top of cylinder
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 Compacting Factor Test
7) Wipe clean the outside of cylinder of concrete and weigh to nearest
10gm .
8) Subtract the weight of empty cylinder from the weight of cylinder plus
concrete to obtain the weight of partially compacted concrete .
9) Remove the concrete from the cylinder and refill with sampled concrete
in layers .
10) Compact each layer thoroughly with the standard Compacting Bar to
achieve full compaction .
11) Float off the surplus concrete to top of cylinder and wipe it clean .
12) Weigh the cylinder to nearest 10gm and subtract the weight of empty
cylinder from the weight of cylinder plus concrete to obtain the weight
of fully compacted concrete .

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 Compacting Factor Test

Workability Slump (mm) C.F Uses

Very Low 0 - 25 0.78 Roads - Pavements

Low 25 - 50 0.85 Foundations Concrete

Medium 25 - 100 0.92 Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced Concrete
High 100 - 175 0.95 (High Reinforcement)

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 Concrete Segregation
Segregation can be defined as separation of the constituents of a
heterogeneous mixture so that their distribution is no longer
uniform. The differences in the size particles of the concrete
constituents are the primary cause of segregation, but its extent
can be controlled by the choice of suitable grading and by care
handling. Concrete mixes should not segregate (i.e it ought to be
cohesive; the absence of segregation is essential if full
compaction is to be achieved.

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 Concrete Segregation
There are two forms of segregation:
1- The coarser particles tend to separate out since they travel
further along a slope or settle more than finer particles. It occurs
when the mix is too dry
2- It occurs in wet mixes through separation of cement paste
from the mix.

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 Concrete Segregation
The actual extent of segregation depends on the method of
handling and placing of concrete. If concrete does not have far
to travel and is transferred directly from the skip or the
wheelbarrow to the final position in the formwork, the danger of
segregation is small. On the other hand, dropping concrete from a
considerable height, particularly with changes of direction, and
discharging against an obstacle(difficulty), all encourage
segregation. Therefore, such circumstances should be under
control. With correct method of handling, transporting, and
placing, the likelihood of segregation can be greatly reduced. Air
entraining admixtures can be used to control segregation.

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 Concrete Segregation
Following are the factors that contribute to increased segregation

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 Concrete Segregation
Segregation makes the concrete
Weaker,
Less durable,
And will leave a poor surface finish

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 Concrete Segregation
Basic types of segregation
Coarse segregation : Occurs when gradation is shifted to include too
much coarse aggregate and not enough fine aggregate. Coarse
segregation is characterized by low asphalt content, low density,
high air voids, rough surface texture, and accelerated rutting and
fatigue failure (Williams et. al., 1996b). Typically, coarse
segregation is considered the most prevalent and damaging type of
segregation; thus segregation research has typically focused on
coarse segregation. The term “segregation” by itself is usually taken
to mean “coarse segregation.”
Fine segregation : Occurs when gradation is shifted to include too
much fine aggregate and not enough course aggregate. High
asphalt content, low density, smooth surface texture, accelerated
rutting, and better fatigue performance characterize fine
segregation (Williams, Duncan and White, 1996).
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 Concrete Segregation
To Avoid Segregation
Check the concrete is not 'too wet' or 'too dry'.
Make sure the concrete is properly mixed. It is important that the
concrete is mixed at the correct speed in a transit mixer for at least two
minutes immediately prior to discharge.
The concrete should be placed as soon as possible.
When transporting the mix, load carefully.
Always pour new concrete into the face of concrete already in place.
When compacting with a poker vibrator be sure to use it carefully

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 Concrete Segregation
To Avoid Segregation
If placing concrete straight from a truck, pour vertically and never let
the concrete fall more than one-and-a-half meters.

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 Concrete Segregation

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 Concrete Bleeding

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 Concrete Bleeding
Introduction
Bleeding, known also as water gain, is a form of segregation in which
some of the water in the mix tends to rise to the surface of freshly placed
concrete. This is caused by the inability of the solid constituents of the
mix to hold all of the mixing water when they settle downwards.
Bleeding can be expressed quantitatively as the total settlement
(reduction in height) per unit height of concrete, and the bleeding
capacity as well as the rate of bleeding can be determined experimentally
using the test of ASTM C 232-04. When the cement paste has stiffened
sufficiently, bleeding of concrete ceases.

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 Concrete Bleeding
This happens when there is excessive quantity of water in the mix
or due to excessive compaction. Bleeding causes the formation of
pores and renders the concrete weak. Bleeding can be avoided by
suitably controlling the quantity of water in the concrete and
using finer grading of aggregates.

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 Concrete Bleeding
Bleeding Process
Almost all freshly placed concrete bleeds. As aggregate and
cement particles settle, they force excess mixing water
upward. The process continues until settlement stops, either
because of solids bridging or because the concrete has set.
The total amount of bleeding or settlement depends on mix
properties, primarily water content and amount of fines
(cement, fly ash, fine sand). Increasing water content
increases bleeding, and increasing the amount of fines reduces
bleeding. Amount of bleeding is also proportional to the depth
of concrete placed. More bleed water rises in deep sections
than in thin ones.
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 Concrete Bleeding
Bleeding usually occurs gradually by uniform seepage over
the whole surface, but sometimes vertical channels form.
Water flows fast enough in these channels to carry fine
particles of cement and sand, leaving "wormholes" in the
interior or sand streaks at the form face. Channels are more
likely to form when concrete bleeds excessively.
Channels that reach the surface are open paths for deicing
solutions to penetrate the concrete. This leads to freezing
and thawing damage and rebar corrosion.

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 Concrete Bleeding
Effects Of Excessive bleeding
As a result of bleeding, the top of every lift (layer of concrete
placed) may become too wet, and, if the water is trapped by
superimposed concrete, a porous and weak layer of non-durable
concrete will result.
If the bleeding water is remixed during the finishing of the top
surface, a weak wearing surface will be formed. This can be
avoided by delaying the finishing operations until the bleeding
water has evaporated, and also by the use of wood floats and by
avoidance of over-working of the surface.

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 Concrete Bleeding
 On the other hand, if evaporation of water from the surface of
the concrete is faster than the bleeding rate, plastic shrinkage
cracking may result.
 In addition to accumulating at the upper surface of the
concrete, some of the rising water becomes trapped on the
underside of large aggregate particles or of reinforcement, thus
creating zones of poor bond. This water leaves behind voids
and, since all these voids are oriented in the same direction,
the permeability of the concrete in a horizontal plane may be
increased.

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 Concrete Bleeding
 If the rising water carries with it a considerable amount of the finer
cement particles, a layer of laitance will be formed. If this is at the
top of a slab, a porous surface will result with a permanently
“dusty” surface. At the top of a lift, a plane of weakness would
form and the bond with the next lift would be inadequate. For this
reason, laitance should always be removed by brushing and
washing.
 Although dependent on the water content of the mix, the tendency
to bleeding depends largely on the properties of the cement.
Bleeding is lower with finer cements and is also affected by certain
chemical factors: there is less bleeding when the cement has a high
alkali content, a high C3A content, or when calcium chloride is
added
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 Concrete Bleeding

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Helping material
Concrete Batching
In general batching is the process of measuring and combining
the ingredients of concrete (cement, water, sand, aggregates)…as
per the mix design. The last part is important, if you are an
Engineer then you will have to do a concrete mix design to know
the quantity required for each element of concrete…so basically,
you will say “for C-30 concrete member we need 50kg of cement
per meter cube of the member or 20kg of aggregate per meter
cube…etc this is the mix design.
Now the batching( measuring and mixing) could be done in two
ways like you said. Weight batching is the professional one,
which is always recommended. Basically, you measure each
quantity by mass (using a large weigh equipment) and batch the
components in a controlled environment

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