Concrete-Properties Flashcards
Primary steps to concrete production (5)
- Batching - weighing out ingredients
- Mixing - central mix, shrink mix, truck mix
- Transporting/Placement - mixer truck, dump truck, bucket,
buggy, conveyor, pump, chute, tremie - Finishing - compaction, strikeoff, floating, troweling, texturing
- Curing - sprinkling, wet covering, ponding, waterproof
membrane, steam
a. Prevent loss of moisture
b. Supply additional moisture
Optimum mixing time depends on many factors (7)
- Type of mixer
- Condition of mixer
- Speed of rotation
- Size of the charge
- Nature of ingredients
- Mix design/proportioning
- Ambient temperature
types of mixers (3):
- Drum Mixers – a sloping horizontal drum with fixed blades attached to the inner face. Uses gravity to induce mixing. Not very effective for low workability mixes.
- Pan Mixers – consists of a flat pan within which a series of rotating blades mixes the concrete. Good for low workability
mixes and FRC. - Continuous Mixers – a long trough containing a spiral blade. Conveyors continuously feed ingredients and the concrete is mixed as it passes along the trough. Allows continuous production of concrete.
ready mixed concrete
- Central Mixed – Completely mixed at plant. Truck mixer only used to agitate concrete during conveyance.
- Transit Mixed – Partially or completely mixed while being transported to the site.
- Shrink Mixed – Partially mixed at the plant to reduce overall volume, and mixing is completed in the truck mixer.
- Truck Mixed – Completely mixed within the truck mixer. Water can be added later, if aggregate is dry
segregation of concrete can lead to
the formation of rock pockets and honey combing
free falls can cause segregation
effect of vibration
reduces air content and makes aggregates uniform
(consolidation)
ideal fresh concrete
-easily mixed and transported
-uniform throughout a given batch
-capable of flowing such that it completely fills the forms
-compactable without the need for excessive energy
-resistant to segregation during placing and consolidation
-capable of being finished properly
define workability
the amount of mechanical work required to produce
full compaction of the concrete without segregation.
factors affecting workability
segregation and bleeding
define segregation
Segregation refers to the separation of the components of fresh concrete, resulting in a nonuniform mix.
factors of segregation
-large aggregate size
-high specific gravity of coarse aggregate relative to fine
-decreased amount of fines
-variations in particle shape away from smooth and rounded
-mixes that are either too wet or dry
define bleeding
refers to the upward movement of water after concrete is consolidate but before it has set
Generally caused by aggregates settling within the fresh concrete and being unable to hold all the mixing water
impact of bleeding
-distinct, localized channels that later act to increase the permeability of the hardened concrete
-The upper layer of the concrete may become rich in cement paste which has a very high W/C ratio.
-Both of these factors lead to weakness, porosity and reduced durability.
-Water pockets may form beneath inclusions in the concrete, leaving weak zones and reducing bond
plastic shrinkage
If bleed water evaporates more quickly than bleeding rates, plasticshrinkage cracking can form
Problematic in hot, dry and/or windy weather.
laitance
A scum of fine particles or dissolved salts may be carried to the surface, resulting in a weak and nondurable layer (laitance).
Laitance at the top of a lift can prevent proper bonding.
Laitance at the final surface can result in dusting
slump test
The slump test provides a rough measure of consistency - not an absolute measure of workability!!!
when cant you use the slump test
High slump concrete
Low slump concrete
Fiber reinforced concrete
Certain admixtures