Materials of Construction (805261)

Prepared by:

Dr. Aslam Al-Omari

Chapter 5: Fresh Concrete

Introduction Workability Factors Affecting Workability Cohesion and Segregation Bleeding Workability Tests

Chapter 5: Fresh Concrete

Comparison of tests Workability Density (Unit Mass or Unit Weight in Air) of Fresh Concrete

Introduction
Since the long-term properties of hardened concrete: strength, volume stability, and durability are seriously affected by its degree of compaction, it is vital that the consistency or workability of the fresh concrete be such that the concrete can be: - properly compacted, - transported, - placed, and - finished sufficiently easily without segregation, which would be detrimental (harmful or unfavorable) to such compaction

Workability
The strict definition of workability is the amount of useful internal work necessary to produce full compaction (ease of placing and consolidating freshly mixed concrete) Wet concretes are more workable than dry concretes, but concretes of the same consistency (consistency refers to the ease with which the concrete will flow) may vary in workability

Workability
Compression is expressed as a density ratio [a ratio of actual density of a given concrete (partially compacted) to the density of full compaction]
Strength Ratio = Strength of Partially Compacted Concrete Strength of Fully Compacted Concrete

Because the strength of concrete is adversely and significantly affected by the presence of voids in the compacted mass, it is vital to achieve a maximum density. This requires a sufficient workability for virtually full compaction to be possible using a reasonable amount of work under the given conditions

Workability
It is obvious that the presence of voids in concrete reduces the density and greatly reduces the strength: (5% of voids can lower the strength as much as 30%) Types of voids in hardened concrete: 1) Bubbles of entrapped air 2) Spaces left after excess water has been removed Voids may be useful to prevent freezing and thawing of water in concrete and they depend on the degree of compaction

Factors Affecting Workability

These factors include: 1. Water Content (most important factor) 2. Aggregate size, type, and grading 3. Aggregate/cement ratio 4. Presence of admixtures 5. Fineness of cement

Factors Affecting Workability

The main factor is water content of the mix since by simply adding water the interparticle lubrication is increased However, to achieve optimum conditions for minimum voids, or for maximum density with no segregation, the influence of aggregate type and grading has to be considered. For example, finer particles require more water to wet their larger specific surface, whilst the irregular shape and rougher texture of an angular aggregate demand more water than, say, a rounded aggregate

Factors Affecting Workability

The main factor is water content of the mix since by simply adding water the interparticle lubrication is increased However, to achieve optimum conditions for minimum voids, or for maximum density with no segregation, the influence of aggregate type and grading has to be considered. For example, finer particles require more water to wet their larger specific surface, whilst the irregular shape and rougher texture of an angular aggregate demand more water than, say, a rounded aggregate

Factors Affecting Workability

Lightweight aggregate tends to lower the workability. In fact, workability is governed by the volumetric proportions of particles of different sizes, so that when aggregates of varying specific gravity (or particle density) are used, e.g. semi-lightweight aggregate, the mix proportions should be assessed on the basis of the absolute volume of each size fraction For a constant water/cement (W/C) ratio, the workability increases as the aggregate/cement ratio is reduced because the amount of water relative to the total surface of solids is increased

Factors Affecting Workability

A rather high ratio of volumes of coarse aggregate to fine aggregate can result in segregation and in a lower workability, so that the mix is harsh and not easily finished. Conversely, too many fines lead to a higher workability but such an over-sanded mix makes less durable concrete Air entrainment reduces the water requirement for a given workability

Factors Affecting Workability

There are other two factors affecting workability; time and temperature. Freshly mixed concrete stiffens with time. Some of the mixing water is absorbed by the aggregate, some is lost by evaporation (particularly if the concrete is exposed to the sun or wind), and some is removed by initial chemical reactions.

Factors Affecting Workability

The stiffening of concrete is effectively measured by a loss of workability with time, knowing as slump loss, which varies with: richness of the mix, type of cement, temperature of concrete, and initial workability. A higher temperature reduces the workability and increases the slump loss

Cohesion and Segregation

In considering the workability of concrete, concrete should not segregate, and it ought to be cohesive. The absence of segregation is essential if full compaction is to be achieved Segregation can be defined as separation of the constituents of a heterogeneous mixture so that the distribution is no longer uniform.

Cohesion and Segregation

In the case of concrete, it is the differences in the size of particles (and sometimes in the specific gravity of the mix constituents) that are the primary cause of segregation, but its extent can be controlled by: 1) The choice of suitable grading 2) Care in handling

Cohesion and Segregation

The actual extent of segregation depends on the method of handling and placing of concrete. If the 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 Segregation forms: 1) The coarser particles tend to separate out since they travel further along a slope or settle more than the finer particles (occurs mostly in dry mixes) 2) Separation of grout (cement + water) (occurs mostly in wet mixes)

Cohesion and Segregation

The addition of water would improve the cohesion of the mix, but when the mix becomes too wet the second type of segregation would take place. To prevent or reduce segregation: 1) Good grading 2) Appropriate handling and placing 3) Proper vibration, needed to achieve good compaction: neither under nor over vibration 4) Using of air entrainment (reduces segregation) 5) Close specific gravity values for coarse and fine aggregate

Cohesion and Segregation

It must be stressed, nevertheless, that concrete should always be placed direct in the position in which it is to remain and must not be allowed to flow or be worked along the form This prohibition includes the use of a vibrator to spread a heap of concrete over a larger area. Vibration provides a most valuable means of compacting concrete, but, because a large amount of work is being done on the concrete, the danger of segregation (in placing, as distinct from handling) is increased with improper use of a vibrator.

Cohesion and Segregation

This is particularly so when vibration is allowed to continue too long: with many mixes, separation of coarse aggregate toward the bottom of the form and of the cement paste toward the top may result. Segregation is difficult to measure quantitatively but is easily detected and can be evaluated by: a) Measuring mix cohesion by the flow table test, or b) By vibrating a concrete cube or cylinder for about 10 minutes and then strip it to observe the distribution of coarse aggregate (any segregation will be easily seen)