BIRBHUM INSTITUTE OF

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGHY

NAME: TRIDEV MONDAL

SUBJECT: CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT CODE: CE(PC)404
UNIVERSITY ROLL NO: 11801323136
DEPARTMENT: CIVIL ENGINEERING
YEAR: 2ndYEAR
SEMESTER: SEM-4th
Properties of Concrete

A world that is always changing necessitates the development of new construction methods.
Concrete is one of the most extensively utilized construction materials in today’s world. This is not
only due to the wide range of uses it provides but also due to the properties of concrete like strength,
durability, workability, unit weight, etc. As a result, construction workers trust concrete as a safe,
robust, and simple material. Here, we have discussed the different properties of concrete.

Concrete is a complex material that consists of lime or cement (binding material) along with sand,
gravel, stone, etc. (aggregates), admixtures, and water in definite proportions. Several properties of
concrete are dependent on the proportions of mixing. Many elements influence the properties of
concrete, the most important of which is the percentage of cement, sand, aggregates, and water in
the mix.

Many elements influence the properties of concrete, the most important of which is the percentage of
cement, sand, aggregates, and water in the mix. The proportions of these elements determine the
various concrete qualities listed below:

 Workability
 Strength of concrete
 Durability
 Creep
 Shrinkage
 Unit weight
 Modular ratio
 Poisson’s ratio

Different Types of Concrete

1. Normal Strength Concrete

Normal strength concrete is made up of a combination of several fundamental ingredients — aggregate,

concrete and sand — in a 1:2:4 ratio. This mixture produces normal strength concrete that can be used for
many applications. It takes about 30 to 90 minutes to set, but this is dependent on the weather conditions at
the concrete site and the cement’s properties.

It’s normally used for pavements or buildings that don’t need high tensile strength. It is not very good for many
other structures since it doesn’t withstand the stresses created by wind loading or vibrations very well.
2. Reinforced Concrete

This form of concrete is widely used in industry and modern construction. Reinforced concrete gets its
strength through the help of wires, steel rods or cables that are placed in the concrete before it sets. A more
familiar name for these items is rebar. Lately, people have used fibers to reinforce this concrete.

These reinforcements resist tensile forces to avoid cracking or breaking. Meanwhile, the concrete itself resists
compressive forces to withstand heavy weight. Together, the two materials create a strong bond against many
applied forces, such as vehicles. In essence, they become a single structural element.

Invented in the 19th century, it dramatically changed the construction industry. Roadways, buildings and
bridges require reinforced concrete. Next time you visit a construction site, you’ll likely see reinforced concrete
with rebar.

3. Plain or Ordinary Concrete

Plain or Ordinary Concrete

This is another concrete that uses the common mix design of 1:2:4 with its components of cement, sand and
aggregates. You can employ it to make pavement or buildings where there is not a high demand for tensile
strength. It faces the same challenges as normal strength concrete — it doesn’t stand up very well to vibrations
or wind loading. Plain or ordinary concrete is also used in dam construction. The durability rating of this kind of
concrete is very satisfactory.

4. Prestressed Concrete

Prestressed concrete units are used for many large concrete projects. To create prestressed concrete, you
must use a special technique. Like reinforced concrete, it includes bars or tendons. But these bars or tendons
are stressed before the actual application of the concrete.

When the concrete is mixed and placed, these bars are placed at each end of the structural unit where they are
used. When the concrete sets, this unit is put into compression.

This compression enhances the strength of the lower section of the unit and improves its resistance against
tensile forces. However, this process requires skilled labor and heavy equipment. Normally, prestressed units
are created and assembled on-site. Prestressed concrete is used to build bridges, heavy-loaded structures or
roofs that have long spans.

5. Precast Concrete
As with most classes of concrete, precast concrete must be made and cast according to specific
measurements. These concrete units are eventually transported to the application site and assembled for use.

You frequently see these units transported to worksites as you drive on highways. Precast concrete is used
for:

Concrete blocks

Precast walls

Staircase units

Poles

The advantage of using precast concrete is its speedy assembly. Since the units are manufactured in a factory,
they are of very high quality.

the advantage of using precast concrete is its speedy assembly

6. Lightweight Concrete

Lightweight concrete is any kind of concrete that has a density of less than 1920kg/m3. Lightweight concrete
is created by using lightweight aggregates. Aggregates are ingredients that add to the density of the style of
concrete. These lightweight aggregates are made up of various natural, artificial and processed materials,
which include:

Clays

Expanded shales

Scoria

Pumice

Perlite

Vermiculite

The most important property of lightweight concrete is that it has very low thermal conductivity. Common uses
for lightweight concrete include creating long-spanning bridge decks and building blocks. It can also be used
to protect steel structures.

7. High-Density Concrete
High-density concrete has a very specific purpose. It is frequently used in the construction of atomic power
plants. The heavyweight aggregates used in the creation of high-density concrete help the structure resist
radiation.

Crushed rocks are normally used. Barytes, a colorless or white material that consists of barium sulfate and is
the principal ingredient in barium, is the crushed rock most often employed.

8. Stamped Concrete

Also known as imprinted or textured concrete, stamped concrete is designed to realistically replicate the look
and pattern of natural stones, tiles, brick and granites. Stamped concrete is often used to construct patios,
pool decks, interior floors and driveways.

This style is achieved by using professional stamping pads to create an impression on the surface of the
concrete. To get a natural finish, you can also use various texture work and coloring stains.

Some of the advantages of stamped concrete include:

Affordability compared to natural pavers and stone

Easy maintenance once sealed

Becomes slip-resistant with a non-skid additive

Enhances outdoor space and adds value

Durable and long-lasting

Extensive pattern and color choices

9. Air-Entrained Concrete

Some types of concrete hold billions of microscopic air cells in every cubic foot. These tiny air pockets relieve
the internal pressure on the concrete. They provide tiny chambers where water can expand when it freezes.

The air is entrained in the concrete by adding several foaming agents during the mixing process, including:

Fatty acids
Resins

Alcohols

Because this concrete is mixed at the site of application, the mixing and entraining process requires careful
engineering supervision. The entrained air adds up to about 3% to 6% of the volume of the concrete. Almost all
concrete used in a freezing environment or where there are freeze-thaw cycles is air-entrained.

10. Ready-Mix Concrete

Ready-Mix Concrete

Concrete prepared and bathed in a centrally located plant is known as ready-mix concrete. This concrete is
mixed as it is transported to the site in the familiar cement trucks seen often on roads and highways. Once the
trucks reach the worksite, the cement can be used immediately because it does not need further treatment.
Ready-mix concrete is a specialty concrete that is mixed based on specifications developed with great
precision.

Creating ready-mix concrete requires a centralized location where the concrete can be prepared. These
locations need to be placed at an adjustable distance from the worksite. If the concrete takes too long to reach
the worksite, it will be of no use. In most cases, the worksite to far from the preparation plant. Retarding
agents are sometimes used to delay how long the concrete takes to set.

Ready-mix concrete is preferred to concrete mixed on-site because the mixture has higher precision and
having the concrete ready to pour reduces confusion on the worksite. Ready-mix concrete can be used for
buildings, roadways, walls and more.

11. Self-Consolidated Concrete

Self-consolidating concrete will compact on its own due to its weight when put in place. This non-segregating,
highly flowable concrete will fill the formwork and spread easily into place to encapsulate the reinforcement
without the need for vibration or mechanical consolidation. This highly workable concrete is best used for
applications and areas where there is thick reinforcement.

Some benefits of self-consolidated concrete include the following:

Self-leveling

Enhanced hardened properties

Improved consolidation in congested areas

Safer work environment

Reduced equipment and labor

Increased detailing flexibility

Smoother surfaces

Reduced noise

self-consolidating concrete will compact on its own

12. Volumetric Concrete

This concrete was created as an alternative to ready-mix concrete to address the problem of long distances
between the concrete plant and construction sites. It requires specialized trucks known as volumetric mobile
mixers. They carry the concrete ingredients and the water that will be mixed at the construction site.

Volumetric concrete is extremely useful when a builder requires two different kinds of concrete mix at a single
site. Since the concrete can be mixed and delivered as needed, it allows one truck to produce two different
mixes of concrete. It is very useful on large sites, basement constructions and multi-projects where you need
different types of concrete.

13. Decorative Concrete

Decorative concrete creates visually and aesthetically appealing concrete mixes. Decorative concrete can go
through several processes, such as:

Coloring

Molding

Polishing

Etching

Applying decorative toppings

It is ideal for any project in which you want to make an aesthetic statement. It’s also a great way to add a bit of
“personality” to dull surfaces or structures. For instance, swimming pools and flooring can make great use of
decorative concrete.

14. Polymer Concrete

Polymer concrete aggregates, compared to those in other concrete types, are bound together in a matrix with
polymer instead of cement. This type of concrete is made of limestone gravels, silica, quartz, granite pebbles
and other high-compressive strength materials. If these materials are not dry, clean and dust-free, it can have a
negative impact on the concrete’s binding ability.

The polymer resin serves as the binder and the aggregate is the compressive stress material. Polymer
concrete composites contain a distinct combination of properties in their formulation. Some of these
properties include:

Rapid curing ambient temperatures

Good adhesion to surfaces

Long-term durability

High flexural, tensile and compressive strengths

Low permeability to water and some solution

Lightweight formula

Strong chemical resistance

Polymer concrete also has a few distinct categories, including:

Polymer impregnated concrete

Polymer cement concrete

Partially impregnated

15. Rapid-Set Concrete

In a hurry? Then you need rapid-set concrete. It’s ideal when you’re short on time to complete a project. It has
faster set times and is very resistant to low temperatures, so it can be used any time of the year. It’s especially
useful in winters when the cold weather does not allow you to use many other kinds of concrete.

16. Smart Concrete

As the name suggests, smart concrete is the concrete technology of the future. The creation of this type of
concrete makes it easier to monitor the condition of reinforced concrete structures. Smart concrete contains
short carbon fibers that are added with a conventional concrete mixer. This process affects the concrete’s
electrical resistance when under strain or stress. This kind of concrete can be used to detect possible
problems before the failure of the concrete.
It is very good at sensing tiny structural flaws. While not widely available yet, it promises to be the building
material of the future for cities that face repeated earthquake risk. Smart concrete allows engineers in those
cities to check the health of structures after earthquakes, providing a far better assessment of their condition
than a visual inspection.

17. Pervious Concrete

This is one of the most common kinds of concrete used to build roads and pavements. It is designed to deal
with the problems of stormwater runoff and pools of water and puddles on roadways or airport runways.

Other concrete absorbs water. Roadways that use pervious concrete have fewer problems with hydroplaning,
tire spray and snow buildup. It also reduces the need for curbing and storm sewers.

It is composed of a mixture of cement, water and coarse aggregates. It contains no sand, which creates an
open-scale, porous structure. This allows water to pass through the layers more easily. Some kinds of pervious
concrete will pass several gallons of water through its surface per minute.

18. Vacuum Concrete

In certain applications, such as deck slabs, parking lots and industrial floors, concrete will have a higher water
content than necessary when poured into the formwork. In these cases, the excess water must be removed
with a vacuum pump before the concrete begins to set. Compared to a normal construction method, the
vacuum technique can help make the concrete platform or structure ready to use sooner.

19. Pumped Concrete

If you’ve ever wondered what types of cement mixtures used in the flooring of a very tall building are, the
answer is probably pumped concrete. The secret to pumped concrete is that it is very workable, so it can be
conveyed easily via a pipe to an upper floor. This pipe will be a flexible or rigid hose that discharges the
concrete to the required area.

Pumped concrete can also be used:

To create superflat floors on lower structures

In construction projects like roadways and bridges

For more personal items, like swimming pools

It is a reliable, efficient and economical way to apply concrete and is often the only way that concrete can be
placed in certain locations. Very fine aggregates are used in pumped concrete. The finer the aggregate used in
the mix, the freer the concrete flows from the pipe.

20. Limecrete

This concrete uses lime instead of cement, along with lightweight aggregates like glass fiber or sharp sand.
It’s mainly used for the construction of floors, vaults and domes. Limecrete has many environmental benefits
because it is so easily cleaned and is renewable. It can also be used with radiant floor heating.