-
3.3.3 PROPERTIES OF FRESH
CONCRETEWorkabilityConsistencySegregationBleedingSetting TimeUnit
WeightUniformity
-
WORKABILITYIt is desirable that freshly mixed concrete be
relatively easy to transport, place, compact and finish without
harmful segregation. A concrete mix satisfying these conditions is
said to be workable.
-
Factors Affecting WorkabilityMethod and duration of
transportationQuantity and characteristics of cementing
materialsAggregate grading, shape and surface textureQuantity and
characteristics of chemical admixturesAmount of water Amount of
entrained airConcrete & ambient air temperature
-
WORKABILITYWorkability is the most important property of freshly
mixed concrete. There is no single test method that can
simultaneously measure all the properties involved in workability.
It is determined to a large extent by measuring the consistency of
the mix.
-
Consistency is the fluidity or degree of wetness of concrete. It
is generally dependent on the shear resistance of the mass. It is a
major factor in indicating the workability of freshly mixed
concrete.CONSISTENCY
-
Test methods for measuring consistency are:
Flow test measures the amount of flowKelly-Ball test measures
the amount of penetrationSlump test (Most widely used
test!)CONSISTENCY
-
Slump Test is related with the ease with which concrete flows
during placement (TS 2871, ASTM C 143)
-
10 cm 20 cm30 cmThe slump cone is filled in 3 layers. Every
layer is evenly rodded 25 times.Measure the slump by determining
the vertical difference between the top of the mold and the
displaced original center of the top surface of the specimen.
-
Segregation refers to a separation of the components of fresh
concrete, resulting in a non-uniform mix SEGREGATIONThe primary
causes of segregation are differences in specific gravity and size
of constituents of concrete. Moreover, improper mixing, improper
placing and improper consolidation also lead to segregation.
Sp.Gr.SizeCement3-3.155-80 mmC.Agg.2.4-2.85-40
mmF.Agg.2.4-2.8< 5 mm
-
Some of the factors affecting segregation:Larger maximum
particle size (25mm) and proportion of the larger particles. High
specific gravity of coarse aggregate. Decrease in the amount of
fine particles. Particle shape and texture. Water/cement ratio.
SEGREGATION
-
Bleeding is the tendency of water to rise to the surface of
freshly placed concrete. BLEEDINGIt is caused by the inability of
solid constituents of the mix to hold all of the mixing water as
they settle down.A special case of segregation.
-
Undesirable effects of bleeding are:
With the movement of water towards the top, the top portion
becomes weak & porous (high w/c). Thus the resistance of
concrete to freezing-thawing decreases.
Water rising to the surface carry fine particles of cement which
weaken the top portion and form laitance. This portion is not
resistant to abrasion.
Water may accumulate under the coarse agg. and reinforcement.
These large voids under the particles may lead to weak zones and
reduce the bond between paste and agg. or paste and reinforcement.
BLEEDING
-
The tendency of concrete to bleeding depends largely on
properties of cement. It is decreased by:Increasing the fineness of
cementIncreasing the rate of hydration (C3S, C3A and
alkalies)Adding pozzolansReducing water contentBLEEDING
-
UNIFORMITY OF CONCRETEConcrete uniformity is checked by
conducting tests on fresh and hardened concretes.Slump, unit
weight, air content testsStrength tests
-
UNIFORMITY OF CONCRETEDue to heteregeneous nature of concrete,
there will always be some variations. These variations are grouped
as:Within-Batch Variations : inadequate mixing, non-homogeneous
natureBatch-to-Batch Variations : type of materials used, changes
in gradation of aggregates, changes in moisture content of
aggregates
*
