Concrete Technology – Full Notes
1. Introduction to Concrete
Concrete is a composite material consisting of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, water,
and admixtures. It gains strength through the process of hydration.
2. Ingredients of Concrete
a) Cement – Binding material (OPC, PPC).
b) Fine Aggregate – Sand (natural/manufactured).
c) Coarse Aggregate – Gravel/Crushed stone.
d) Water – Must be clean and potable.
e) Admixtures – Chemicals to modify properties (retarders, accelerators, plasticizers).
3. Properties of Fresh Concrete
a) Workability – Ease of mixing, transporting, placing, and finishing concrete.
b) Consistency – Degree of wetness.
c) Cohesiveness – Resistance to segregation.
d) Setting Time – Time taken to harden.
4. Workability Tests
a) Slump Test – Measures consistency.
b) Compaction Factor Test – Suitable for low workability concrete.
c) Vee-Bee Consistometer – Measures remolding effort.
5. Properties of Hardened Concrete
a) Compressive Strength – Major property, tested at 7 & 28 days.
b) Tensile Strength – Low, measured by split tensile test.
c) Flexural Strength – Beam test.
d) Durability – Ability to resist weathering.
1. Introduction to Concrete
Concrete is a composite material consisting of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, water,
and admixtures. It gains strength through the process of hydration.
2. Ingredients of Concrete
a) Cement – Binding material (OPC, PPC).
b) Fine Aggregate – Sand (natural/manufactured).
c) Coarse Aggregate – Gravel/Crushed stone.
d) Water – Must be clean and potable.
e) Admixtures – Chemicals to modify properties (retarders, accelerators, plasticizers).
3. Properties of Fresh Concrete
a) Workability – Ease of mixing, transporting, placing, and finishing concrete.
b) Consistency – Degree of wetness.
c) Cohesiveness – Resistance to segregation.
d) Setting Time – Time taken to harden.
4. Workability Tests
a) Slump Test – Measures consistency.
b) Compaction Factor Test – Suitable for low workability concrete.
c) Vee-Bee Consistometer – Measures remolding effort.
5. Properties of Hardened Concrete
a) Compressive Strength – Major property, tested at 7 & 28 days.
b) Tensile Strength – Low, measured by split tensile test.
c) Flexural Strength – Beam test.
d) Durability – Ability to resist weathering.
