L6: Concrete Frame Systems Flashcards
What is concrete made of?
Course and fine aggregates, portland cement, and water
What is curing in concrete and how is it done?
A chemical process that bonds and strengthens components together
Done through hydration
What are the 5 types of concrete?
I. Normal (most construction)
II. Moderate resistance to sulphate attack (water with sulphate)
III. High early strength (reduced curing period)
IV. Low heat of hydration (massive structures - curing heat may damage)
V. High resistance to sulphate (water with sulphate)
What is aggregates and how much of concrete volume do they make up?
Sand and crushed stone
75%
What is the rule of thumb for a basic concrete mixture?
10% cement
20% water and air
30% sand
40% gravel
How is concrete tested?
Slump test - tests wetness and liquidity (pour concrete into cone and lift)
Cylinder test - tests compression (cylinder of concrete cures and is compressed)
What are admixtures?
Added to alter or improve normal properties of concrete
What is air entraining and how does it work?
An admixture causing microscopic air bubbles to form in concrete mix
Improves workability
Reduces permeability - capillaries created blocks bleed water flow
Reduces damage from freeze/thaw cycles - allows freezing water room to expand
What is bleed water in concrete?
Free water in the mix that is pushed upwards by sinking dense aggregate
What is typically done to concrete formwork and why?
Coated with oil/wax so it can be pulled away without damage
How is concrete placed?
Shotcrete (blown on without formwork)
Chute from mixing truck
Placing via pimp
Crane and bucket (higher levels)
What is also done when concrete is placed?
Consolidating; mechanical vibrator to eliminate rock pockets and large air bubbles and blend layers
What can over vibrating lead to in concrete?
Segregation of materials in the mixture
How are concrete slabs finished?
Screeding
Floating
Final finish
What is screeding and when is it done?
Straightedge moved across surface to a rough level
Immediately after concrete is placed
What is floating and when is it done?
Metal floats (hand or rotary power) embed large aggregates, fill voids, remove ridges from screeding = level surface
After bleed water evaporates and concrete is stiff
What is the final finish and when is it done?
Trowel - dense/smooth
Broom - textured/slip-resistance
Critical timing (too early can pull aggregate out and too late surface can be too hard to work)
What happens if concrete is not kept moist during the curing process?
Strength is greatly reduced
What happens if concrete is kept moist for 7 days?
It will reach 100% design strength after some time
What happens if concrete is kept moist for 28 days?
It will reach 100% design strength in 28 days
What happens if concrete is kept moist for 3 days?
It will not reach 100% design strength
How is moisture maintained during the curing process?
Moisture resistant covering (plastic sheets/burlap blankets) or spray-on fireproofing
How is rebar shaped and why?
Deformed to bond with concrete
Why is concrete reinforced?
Because it has zero tensile strength so requires steel to handle tension forces
How is a simple concrete beam reinforced?
Bottom bar (to resist tensile force) Stirrups at ends (to handle shear forces)
How is the bottom bar in a reinforced concrete beam supported?
Chairs or bolsters to maintain protective cover