Properties of Fresh Concrete

Early Ages

Significance

The first 48 hours are very important for the performance of the concrete structure. It controls the long-term behavior, influence fc, Ec, creep, and durability.

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Properties at Early Ages

Workability Slump Loss Segregation/Bleeding Plastic Shrinkage Time of Set Temperature
P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Workability
Definition: Effort required to manipulate a concrete mixture with a minimum of segregation. It is not a fundamental property of concrete f(conditions, equipment, type of concrete, mix). e.g., dry mix --> poor workability if pumped, but good workability when placed in a conveyor belt (mass concrete)

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Importance
If concrete is very dry, it cannot consolidate well and will end up with lots of voids.
fc lab

field

w/c
Labor costs are high when using dry mixes
P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Workability
consistency (slump) --> how easy to flow and cohesiveness --> tendency to bleed and segregate.

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Consistency Tests

Slump test

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Slump test

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Consistency tests

Vebe Test;

compacting apparatus

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Workability Test
No equipment can measure consistency and cohesiveness at the same time

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Bleeding and Segregation

Control: Water content Cement content Friction between aggregates is reduced by increasing cement paste Aggregate gradient has a big effect Fine/Coarse Aggregate Ratio. Change fineness modulus of the sand --> improve pumpability and cohesiveness. measured visually and statistically
P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Control (2)
Admixtures Water reducing Air entraining Fly ashes, pozzolans (fine)

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Temperature and Time Control

If mix for too long, hydration products start to from --> requires more water --> slump goes down when transport time and temperature increases

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Slump Loss
Premature slump loss; any abnormal loss of slump

Slump

2h

elapsed time

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Causes of Slump Loss:

1) Use of an abnormal setting cement 2) unusual long time for mixing, transporting or finishing 3) High T due to excessive heat of hydration.

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Example:
Type II cement (low in C3A ~6%) T= 70 F
Initial Slump 5 in 30 min 4 3/8 60 min 3 1/8 2h 1 1/2

Type I cement (10% C3A)

Initial Slump 5 in 30 min 3 1/4 60 min 2 1/4 2h 1

Increasing the water content

Type II Type I Initial 7 1/2 7 1/2 30 min 7 4 3/4 60 min 5 1/2 3 1/4 2h 2 1 1/2

so, adding more water does not solve the problem

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Time of Set
Strength (psi)

4000

beginning of hardening

500 beginning of solidification Time final initial

Final and Initial Set --> arbitrary values of strength. Cannot consolidate, vibrate and finish after starting the initial set.

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Setting and Hardening

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Set time

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Cont

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Early Stiffening
Solution Retempering: adding more water at the job site (note: total water/cement ratio should be kept constant) Use superplasticizers at the job site.

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Segregation and Bleeding

Segregation: coarse aggregate tends to segregate due to gravity. Typical of dry mixes. Bleeding: water rising to the surface. Typical of wet mixes. when excessive, cement particles and water go to the surface (laitance) --> porosity goes up --> paste can easily be abraded --> dusting.

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Causes of bleeding and segregation:

Improper slump Excessive amount of coarse aggregate Lack of fines Inappropriate placing and compacting

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Control of Bleeding
Reduction of water Introduction of fines and air Proper Compaction (too much compaction causes bleeding)

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Plastic Shrinkage
In slabs, rapid drying of fresh concrete causes plastic shrinkage. Rate of water loss > rate of bleed water It happens when concrete is not a solid yet. Loss of bond between concrete and rebar Crazing (Surface cracks develop) High temperature, high wind velocity, low RH Rate of evaporation > 0.2 lb/ft2/hr
P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Control of Plastic Shrinkage

Moisten subgrade and forms Erection of wind barriers Cool concrete Spray water Membrane coating

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Early Ages

Rate of moist evaporation

P.K. Mehta and P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials