Concrete

CONCRETE

6.1 Mixing of Concrete

The Ingredients of concrete are mixed thoroughly to get them uniformly
distributed in the concrete mass. Cement water paste should completely cover the
surfaces of aggregates. There are two methods of concrete mixing.
Hand mixing
Machine mixing
 Site preparing concrete
 Ready mixed concrete

6.1.1 Hand Mixing

This method is used for small works. The dry ingredients are measured
separately and are stacked on a watertight platform. The platform should be watertight.
First the sand and cement are mixed at least three times, in dry condition. Then the
mixture is uniformly distributed on the platform and wetted metal is uniformly spread
over the cement sand mixture. Then water is added to the required amount and mixed it at
least three times. The prepared mixed should be consumed within 90 minutes from the
water is added to it. In our site hand mixing was done only for screed concrete which is
grade 15. Mixed proportion for that is 1:3:6 cement sand aggregate in volume ratios.

6.1.2 Machine mixing.

In our site machine mixing of concrete was not done. Ready mixed concrete was
transported from the batching plant. Now a day’s most widely using method is ready
mixed concrete. This type concrete has better quality rather than other because of weight
batching & quality controlling. Concrete is prepared at batching plant and carried to the
site in drum truck. They used retarders to delay the setting time. These are used when
required large quantities at one time, and pump is used to supply concrete from truck to
concreting place.

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6.2 Checks before Concreting

 Bolts and wedges are secure against loosening due to vibration.
 The right number of ties has been used and they are in right places.
 All the ties are properly tightened.
 The stop-end has been properly secured.
 All the joints have been sealed to stop grout loss-especially where the formwork is
against a kicker.
 The formwork is correctly aligned and leveled.
 All the props are plumb, and at the right spacing.
 The props and struts are properly tightened up and locked.
 The formwork can be struck without damaging the concrete.
 The release agent has been applied & it is right one.
 The reinforcement is correct.
 The reinforcement has the right cover. They are enough spacers.
 The forms are clean and free from rubbish. Tie-wire droppings will cause a stain
on the face of the concrete.
 There is proper access for concreting and compaction.
 Any necessary inserts or box outs can be done when concreting.

6.3 Placing and Consolidation of Concrete

The main thing that must be followed in placing the concrete is to transport and
place the concrete before exceeds its initial setting time, and concrete should be placed as
closed as possible to its final position within the form to prevent the excessive
movements. Also due to the excessive movement it may result the segregation and poor
consolidation.
The insides of the formworks are inspected to check that they are properly
cleaned and oiled. Temporary openings are provided to facilitate inspection, especially at
the bottom of columns to allow the removal of saw dust, binding wire, dirt, etc and
compressor is used to clean the any unsuitable maters. Now, concrete is placed in even
layers. Each layer is well compacted before the next layer is put. Around height of

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400mm was concreted per layer in the column and wall concreting. A concrete layer is
placed over before the previous has set. Proper consolidate eliminate or reduce rock
pocket and honeycombs. Rock pocket occurs when course aggregates is visible on the
surface of the concrete after it has set. Honeycombs are voids in the concrete surface
caused by the mix falling to fill the spaces among the course aggregates.
In small foundations compaction and consolidation can be accomplished by
spreading the concrete with a wooden rod. The rod or spading tool must be thin enough to
passes between the reinforcement bars and formwork, and reach bottom of the formwork.
In construction work the immersion vibrator is generally used for vibrating.
Concrete is placed and distributed in a layer and levelled off when placing
concrete on sloping surface. The placement is begun at the base of the slope so that the
compaction is increased by the added weight of each batch. After the course is placed it
is immediately consolidated directly with the bottom. A spreading tool is often used to
consolidate the concrete in small and low form and an immersion vibrator on heavy
construction project. When an immersion vibrator is used it is hold vertically should be
passed through the top course, penetrating few inches into interval in course for five to
fifteen seconds. Over vibration will cause the segregation. Also the shorter period of
vibration would provide the honeycombed surface texture. Therefore much experienced
person was given the responsibility of using the vibrator while the supervision is given.
Vibrating can be stopped when water appears on the surface of the concrete and no air
bubbles come to the surface.

6.4 Curing Concrete

Curing is maintained proper concrete moisture content and temperature long
enough to allow hydration of the concrete and development of the desired properties.
Hydration is a chemical reaction between water and cement at which time the cement
become the bounding agent of the concrete mix. Hydration begins as soon as the water
and cement is combined. If the water in the concrete mixture evaporates too quickly, the
hydration process will stop before the concrete reaches its designed strength. Rapid water
loss also causes cracking of the concrete. In initial curing stage the concrete should be

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kept thoroughly wet for minimum three days. This is the most critical period in concrete
curing.
The curing of horizontal structures is much easier than the curing of vertical
structures. The following method can be applied for curing of horizontal structures.

 Making clay bound around the structure & adding water into that pool.
 Lying wetted sawdust on the structure.
 Wrapping the structure after concreting.

The curing of vertical surfaces is more difficult. Normally it is done by

wrapping wetted cover (gunny bags) on the structure. The cover can be wetted when it is
dry.

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