CIV2235 Structural Materials

Lecture #3 (Week 3):

Properties of Fresh Concrete

Dr Fatemeh Azhari (Clayton Campus)

Email: [email protected]
Department of Civil Engineering
<2>
Today’s lecture
How the composites of concrete effect on
the properties of Fresh concrete
1. Workability
2. Measurement of workability
3. Compaction
4. Segregation/bleeding
5. Plastic shrinkage cracking
6. Plastic settlement cracking
7. Curing
8. Concrete construction, handling and
placing
<3>
Fresh concrete is defined
as a fully mixed concrete
in a rheological state that
has not lost its plasticity.

“I didn’t realise
it was fresh
concrete”
Before setting and hardening <4>

Critical time for fresh concrete

Mixing, transport, placement, compaction, finishing
<5>
Properties of Fresh Concrete
Concrete Mixing
• Adequate time before
setting
Transport
• Ease of placement
Importance • Compaction with ease
Placement of Fresh
• Surface finishing with
Properties ease
Compaction

Finishing
While also producing hardened concrete with uniform (not
segregated), low voidage & homogeneous mass
<6>
Before setting and hardening
1 2
Concrete Mixing

Transport

Placement

Compaction

Finishing 3 4
<7>
Fresh Concrete: Expected Properties
1. must be easily mixed and transported.
2. must be uniform throughout a given batch, and between batches.
3. must keep its fluidity during the transportation period.
4. should have flow properties such that it is capable of completely filling
the forms.
5. must have the ability to be fully compacted without segregation.
6. must set in a reasonable period of time.
7. must be capable of being finished properly, either against the forms or
by means of trowelling or other surface treatment.
<8>
Properties at early ages
❑ Workability
❑ Slump Loss
❑ Segregation/Bleeding
❑ Plastic Shrinkage/Settlement
❑ Time of Set
❑ Temperature
<9>
1. Workability of fresh concrete
• Adequate time before setting
Importance of • Ease of placement
fresh concrete • Compaction with ease
properties • Surface finishing with ease
While also producing hardened concrete with uniform (not segregated),
low voidage & homogeneous mass Voids
If concrete is too “dry”,
it will not consolidate
well and the result will
be areas of excess
voids

Workability = the ease with which the fresh concrete can be handled, placed
and compacted without excessive bleeding or segregation or voids
< 10 >
Workability Loss
Concrete loses workability with time due to hydration and setting of
cement
Unusual causes of workability loss:
use of an abnormal setting cement
unusual long time for mixing, transporting
high temperature due to excessive heat of hydration
< 11 >
Factors affecting workability
o free water content:
higher free water content → higher workability

o aggregate: size, shape, grading, surface texture

higher fineness → lower workability
flaky and elongated → lower workability
smooth surface → higher workability
o aggregate/cement ratio (or paste content)

o time and temperature

higher temperature→ lower workability
o presence of admixtures
< 12 >
Factors affecting workability – Paste Content
Factors affecting slump: paste content

low paste content Cement paste

(harsh mix) high paste content
→ less lubrication (rich mix)
→ less slump → high lubrication
→ high slump
< 13 >
Factors affecting workability – Aggregate size
Factors affecting slump: aggregates: size, shape, surface texture
larger particles mean less surface area
→ thicker coating of cement paste cement
→ greater lubrication, thus easy sliding of paste
particles by each other
→ Hence, larger slump
aggregates
< 14 >
Factors affecting workability – Aggregate size
Factors affecting slump: aggregates: size, shape, surface texture
smaller particles mean more surface area
→ thinner coating of cement paste
→ interlocking friction between particles cement
keeps them from moving paste
→ Hence, smaller
slump aggregates
< 15 >
Factors affecting workability – Aggregate shape
Angularity and surface texture of aggregates

river gravels
→the best
angular & rough aggregate smooth (rounded) aggregates
—more surface area, thinner coating of —Less surface area, thicker coating of paste
paste
—less friction between particles
—interlocking friction between particles
→ Hence, larger slump
→ Hence, smaller slump
< 16 >
Factors affecting workability – Aggregate grading

A well graded aggregate has

the least amount of voids in a
given volume, thus when the
total voids are less an excess
paste is available to give better
lubricating effect.

less voids
< 17 >
Workability: Way to improve it
To make a more workable mix:
Use an admixture:
—plasticisers
—air entraining (air bubbles)
Use well-rounded/smooth not irregular aggregates
↑ s i ze of the maximum aggregate.
add water
Never try to make a mix more
workable by adding water, this
lowers the strength of the
concrete.
< 18 >
2. Workability measurement
… at least 61 test methods. Most common tests are:
• Slump test (AS1012.3.1)
• Compacting Factor (AS1012.3.2)
• Vebe Test (AS1012.3.2)
• Flow Table Test (not AS)

Slump test Compacting Factor Vebe Test

< 19 >
SLUMP TEST—AS1012.3.1
• concrete is placed in 3 layers of equal volume
• each layer is compacted by rodding 25 times
• scrape off the top surface
• lift the cone within 2 minutes

Extensively
used
worldwide
< 20 >
SLUMP TEST—AS1012.3.1
• Cone lifted upwards, clear of the concrete & placed, upside-
down next to the concrete
• Unrestrained concrete settles downwards due to gravity
• Height difference between the steel cone and the slumped
concrete is measured
< 21 >
SLUMP TEST—AS1012.3.1

(a) Typical Slump (b) High Slump

GROUP A - ACCEPTABLE

Half cone slides down an inclined plane

(a) Shear (b) Shear (c) Shear

(Lateral Collapse) (Lateral Collapse) (Lateral Collapse)

GROUP B - NOT ACCEPTABLE - REPEAT TEST

< 22 >
SLUMP TEST—AS1012.3.1
Workability determined by construction application
Element Slump (mm)
Mass concrete 30-80
Plain footings, caissons & substructure walls 50-80
Pavements and slabs 50-80
Beams 50-100
Reinforced footings 50-100
Columns 50-100
Reinforced Walls 80-120
< 23 >
The issues of slump test
Problem with Slump Test:
• not dynamic
Concrete workability is influenced by
concrete thixotropy
(flowability response to energy input)
e.g. pumping, placement, compaction…
It cannot differentiate in workability of stiff mixes as it shows zero
slumps
< 24 >
< 25 >
Vebe Test -AS1012.3.2
Vebe Test measures the time required for a sample of fresh concrete
to achieve full compaction when subjected to a standardized vibratory
action

• slump cone is placed in the cylinder, filled in accordance

with slump test
• slump cone removed. The Vebe vibrating table is started.
• measure the time for the concrete to remold from cone
the slump cone shape to the shape of the cylinder.
• time is high → stiff concrete cylinder
• time is low → more workable
• Vebe test: suitable for stiff concrete
• Vebe test: not suitable for flowable concrete vibrating table
< 26 >
Compacting factor test -AS1012.3.2
• top hopper filled with concrete
• door on the soffit of top hopper is opened & concrete drops into
the lower hopper. Lower hopper emptied into bottom cylinder
• excess concrete is removed from top of the cylinder
• mass of the concrete in the cylinder is recorded (m1). Mass is
compared to the mass of fully compacted concrete in the same
cylinder, achieved with hand rodding or vibration (m2)
• compaction factor (CF) is calculated as

• small CF : less workable concrete

• high CF: more workable concrete
< 27 >
Flow table test- not Australian standard
•The cone is placed in the centre of the flow table
•Fill the cone with 2 layers of concrete, each of which is compacted as
for the slump test
•Remove the cone
•Lift the table a height of 40 mm and then drop it for a total of 15 times
•The horizontal spread of the concrete is measured
< 28 >
3. Compaction
Immediately upon placing, concrete must be compacted by means
of hand tools or vibrators.

Bad compaction practice resulted in …

< 29 >
Bad compaction Good compaction
Appropriate vibration results in:

•better strength and durability

•better steel-concrete bond
•better concrete surface
< 30 >
4. Segregation/bleeding
Segregation
Segregation is the separation of the different
2
materials of concrete

Good concrete = homogeneous

There are 2 types of segregation :
1
1. Separation of fine aggregates from
coarse aggregates: dry mixes,
unskilled handling

2. Separation of paste from

aggregates: excessive water in
mix, excessive vibration during
compaction
< 31 >
Reason
Causes:
1. high w/c ratio (concrete mixed at site by unskilled
workers)
2. poor graded aggregates
3. Excessive vibration (heavier particles settle at
bottom & lighter cement sand paste comes on top)
4. When concreting is done from height in case of
underground foundations and raf t s, which causes
concrete to segregate

Segregation can be avoided by taking following precautions:

1 Proper concrete mix designs
2 Water content should not be added more than the desired amount
3 Handling, placing, and compaction (freshly mixed concrete): done carefully
4 Concrete should not be dropped from a height.
< 32 >
Bleeding
Bleeding = water on the surface of freshly poured concrete
Bleeding—a form of segregation= water comes out to the surface of concrete,
being lowest specific gravity among all the ingredients of concrete.
Bleeding—easily identified in the field by the appearance of a thin layer of
water on the top surface of freshly mixed concrete.
Bleeding < 33 >
Bleeding in fresh concrete = process where free water in the mix is pushed
upward to the surface due to the settlement of heavier solid particles. Some
bleeding is normal but excessive bleeding can be problematic.

Not all bleed water reaches the concrete surface

Some bleed water may rise and remain trapped under aggregates and
reinforcing. This results in the weakening of the bond between the paste and those
elements.

The goal is not to necessarily eliminate bleed water, but

rather to manage it to ensure the concrete’s quality.

Bleed water can be useful to finishing operations and reduce

plastic shrinkage cracking.
< 34 >
Bleeding
➢ Aggregates unable to hold all free water
(under surface tension; lack of fines, excessive free water content)
➢ Water is displaced & migrates upwards until concrete sets
Accumulation of Bleed Water at surface
Properties of Fresh

Aggregates settle
downwards under gravity
Bleeding < 35 >

Most concrete bleed, however:

excessive bleeding creates problems:
– poor pumpability
– delays in finishing
– high w/c at the top surface
– poor bond between two concrete layers
Bleeding < 36 >
tendency of bleeding depends largely on the properties
of cement
•bleeding is lower with finer cements
•bleeding is lower when the cement has a high alkali content
•bleeding is lower when the cement has a high C3A content
•bleeding is lower when calcium chloride is added

Remedies to reduce concrete bleeding

•reduce water to cement ratio
•use of finer cement
•adjust grading
•entrained air
Detrimental effects of bleeding < 37 >

If the rising water carries with it a considerable

amount of fine cement particles, a layer of
laitance will be formed

Laitance is the weak, milky or powdery layer of

cement dust that may appear on the concrete
surface

If laitance is formed on a concrete pavement, the

pavement top surface loses its wearing quality

Laitance layer formed on concrete road surfaces occurs if finishing takes place
will produce dust in summer & mud in rains. before the bleed water is dry
(finishing while too wet)
Detrimental effects of bleeding - Blisters < 38 >

Blisters form when water/air bubbles are trapped

under the surface, unable to escape due to a
premature drying of the surface due to wind, an
overly-sticky mixture that seals the surface too
quickly, or premature finish applied to the
concrete

finishing /
troweling before
bleed water has
evaporated
Detrimental effects of bleeding < 39 >
Bleeding results in weakness

✓ Reduction of ✓ weak layer of

bond strength concrete in
between constructions within
reinforcement several lifts
and concrete
< 40 >
5. Plastic shrinkage cracking
plastic shrinkage=when cement paste is plastic, it undergoes a
volumetric contraction due to loss of water by evaporation
from the surface

Excessive evaporation induces plastic shrink cracking

rarely impair the strength or durability of concrete
< 41 >
Excessive Evaporation
→ Surface Contraction
→ Plastic Shrinkage
Cracking
Evaporation Surface wants to
shrink/lose volume
due to water loss

Crack
Restraint to strain
exists at depth due to
underlying concrete
Causes: < 42 >

rate of evaporation of surface moisture > the rate

at which rising bleed water can replace it

high temperature caused by hydration

Conditions that cause high evaporation rates from

the concrete surface, and thereby increase the
possibility of plastic shrinkage cracking, include:

• Wind velocity in excess of 5 mph

• Low relative humidity
• High ambient and/or concrete temperatures
< 43 >
Rate of evaporation
ACI 305 Predicted Evaporation
< 44 >
Solution to plastic shrinkage cracking
Reduce evaporation:
▪ Control the wind velocity (sheltering)
▪ Reduce the concrete temperature
– e.g. use ice as mixing water
▪ Increase the humidity at the surface
– fogging
– cover w/polyethylene
– curing compound
Control cracking by fiber reinforcement
< 45 >
6. Plastic settlement cracking
After initial placement, vibration, and finishing, concrete continues to
consolidate. During this period, the plastic concrete may be locally
restrained by reinforcing steel or formwork. The solids settle down and the
mix water rises up to the surface but the steel bars do not → settlement
cracking Crack formed due to
obstructed settlement
< 46 >
The amount of settlement = proportional to the depth of
concrete, i.e. the deeper the section the greater the
settlement.

At changes of section, the different

amount of settlement can lead to
surface cracks
< 47 >
7. Concrete curing
Curing = maintenance of satisfactory moisture content and of a
favourable temperature of concrete immediately after compaction &
until concrete has developed the desired strength
Concrete must be properly cured to develop optimum properties
— Compressive strength of properly cured concrete: 80–100 % greater
than the strength of concrete not cured
— Properly cured concrete surfaces wear well.
— Drying shrinkage cracking is reduced.
Cause: excessive loss of water by evaporation
can delay or prevent adequate hydration.
The surface is particularly susceptible to insufficient surface
hydration because it dries first
< 48 >
Curing methods:
1.Water cure: maintain water
2.Impermeable plastic sheets: reduce the loss of water
3.Leave the formwork
4.Curing compounds

Water cure Plastic film

1
Humidity < 49 >
Rate of evaporation
Concrete
Cause: temperature

excessive loss of water by evaporation

can delay or prevent adequate hydration.

The surface is particularly susceptible to

insufficient hydration because it dries first
ACI 305 evaporation prediction Air temperature
Wind
speed

If rate of evaporation > 1 kg/m2/hr:

precautions against drying are needed
< 50 >
Curing duration/temperature

• Cure concrete for at least 7 days.

• Higher curing temperatures promote an early strength gain in
concrete but may decrease its 28-day strength.
< 51 >

• The ideal curing temperature is 23°C.

< 52 >
8. Concrete construction, handling and placing
Construction Sequence
• Batching
• Mixing
• Transport to the Project Site
• Placement in the Formwork Today’s
• Compaction/Consolidation lecture
• Finishing
• Curing
• Formwork Removal
< 53 >
Handling, Placing, and Finishing Concrete

Reading List:
✓ Handling and Placing, (Chapter 8), pp. 8.1-8.10
✓ Compaction, (Chapter 9), pp. 9.1-9.9
from: “Guide to concrete construction”, Cement & Concrete Association
of Australia & Standards Australia, 2nd ed, (2002)

Other references:
✓ AS1379 The Specification & Manufacture of Concrete
< 54 >
Concrete Placement
Main objective: to deposit the concrete as close as possible to its
final position as quickly and efficiently as possible, so that
segregation is avoided, and it can be fully compacted.

Workability Considerations
❑ Type of structural member (e.g. – ground slab, column, etc)
❑ Size/Geometry of form
❑ Density, size & spacing of reinforcement
❑ Effect of atmospheric conditions
❑ Type of placement equipment
< 55 >
Minimizing Segregation
1. Separation of fine aggregate from coarse
Fines
2. Separation of paste from aggregates

❑ Care needed during transporting (from point of

mixing to the point of delivery)
❑ Concrete to be discharged vertically
❑ Limit the discharge “drop” height to 2 m (max)
❑ Concrete mixture needs to suit the construction
application

Separation from Coarse

< 56 >
Site Access Issues
(regarding placement)
❑ Ground conditions (to support loaded transit mixers)
❑ Headroom and ground clearances
❑ Placement underwater/below water table
❑ Availability of turning circles
❑ Access to discharge chutes by distribution equipment
❑ Holding area for trucks awaiting discharge
Barrow < 57 >
Distribution Methods Crane and Kibble

❑ Barrow
❑ Chute Pump

❑ Crane and Kibble

❑ Pump Chute

Tremie Slip-form
❑ Tremie
❑ Slip-form
< 58 >
❑ Barrow
Two-Wheeled Ransome Cart
for Hauling Concrete (1910)

▪ Low placing rate (1 to 1.5 m3/h)

▪ Suitable for small projects such as domestic
construction
▪ Labour Intensive (≈ 1 to 1.5 m³/h)
▪ 50 m maximum distance for continuous work
▪ Needs level, smooth access
< 59 >
❑ Chute

• Direct from transit mixer if works are within

radius of its chute
• Free fall of concrete should not exceed 2m
without additional end controls
• Ideal for strip footings, floor slabs, road
pavements
< 60 >

5 m3 Agitator Truck
Chute Radius

Chute
Height

8 m3 Agitator Truck
Discharge from Long Chutes < 61 >
(i.e. longer than the discharge length of an agitator
truck)
drop chute

Minimum
1000 mm

Correct Incorrect
Discharge concrete Lack of end control
through a drop chute causes segregation
< 62 >
❑ Crane and Kibble
Discharge into Kibble
< 63 >

Kibble Transport
< 64 >

Discharge from
Kibble
< 65 >

Crane and Kibble

✓ Can be used when concrete is unsuitable for pumping
✓ Adequate crane time & availability is needed
✓ 1 - 2 m3 common; up to 6 m3 available
✓ Limitations depend on bucket size, crane capacity and reach
❑ Pumps and Pipelines < 66 >
Concrete < 67 >
(discharged from
agitator truck)

Pump

Pump
< 68 >
Pumps and Pipelines
✓ Versatile and flexible - can distribute concrete
both vertically and horizontally
✓ up to 200 m height
✓ up to 1000 m (horizontal) on flat sites
✓ Mobile (trailer or truck mounted)
✓ Require little space
✓ High output
✓ Continuous distribution
✓ Short set-up time
✓ Low labour required
< 69 >
Pumps and Pipelines –Concrete Mix

Pumpable

❑ Each grain of aggregate must be separated

by a lubrication layer of paste
❑ Adequate sliding to fill the space between the
grains (internal porosity)
❑ Lubrication film is needed on the pipe walls

Poor pumpability
< 70 >
Pumps and Pipelines –Concrete Mix

Mix water forced out

Particle Interlocking ahead of mix

High frictional resistance

Lubrication layer Pipe

Increasing friction between
(paste)
aggregates & pump line wall =
blockage
< 71 >
Pumps and Pipelines
Output, Diameter, Distance, Slump &Pressure
< 72 >

Pumps &
Pipelines:
Working
Range
< 73 >

World Record!!
258 concrete trucks
slab pour, San Diego
in 10 hours
(26 trucks/hr)
< 74 >
❑ Tremie

❑ When concrete has to be poured underwater

❑ A tremie pipe (steel tube) is fixed below water
(e.g. – to bottom of pile)
❑ This prevents the water washing the large
aggregate out of the concrete mix
❑ The tremie is gradually pulled up as the pipe fills
with concrete. The cement content for an
underwater mix should be double that of a
conventional mix
< 75 >

Tremie (examples)
< 76 >
❑ Slipform (Continuous placement)

Vertical

Horizontal

Incline
< 77 >
Concrete Placement:
Effect on Concrete Member

Continuous Concrete Pour to avoid cold joints

< 78 >
Concrete Placement: Slabs

Correct: Incorrect:
Commence placing at one Random placing can cause
corner of the formwork segregation & makes it more
difficult to achieve correct levels

❑ Place concrete as near to its final position as possible

❑ Start placing from the corners of the formwork or, in the
case of a sloping site, from the lowest level.
< 79 >
Placement on Sloping Surface

Correct: Incorrect:
If the final surface is Placing commenced from the
sloping , commence highest point
at the lowest point → concrete settles down the slope
→ segregation
< 80 >
Placement on Sloping Surface

CORRECT INCORRECT
If placing on a sloping surface The velocity from a free-end chute
with a chute, always use a baffle tends to carry the concrete down
and drop at the end of the chute the slope, separating the
aggregate, which goes to the
bottom of the slope
< 81 >
Deep Wall/Columns

Incorrect
Long uncontrolled drops cause segregation as
the concrete strikes against the forms and
aggregate rebounds off formwork. Mortar is
left on the form faces & reinforcement
< 82 >
Chute & Crane & Kibble
Barrow
Pump

Hopper
Kibble
Frame

Drop Collector
Tube Hose Extended to
Bottom & Withdrawn

Correct: Correct: Correct:

Discharge concrete Discharge into a Extend the pump hose to
into a hopper leading hopper leading to a the bottom of the form &
to a drop tube drop tube withdraw progressively as
the form is filled
< 83 >

Construction Sequence
• Batching
• Mixing
• Transport to the Project Site
• Placement in the Formwork Today’s
• Compaction/Consolidation lecture
• Finishing
• Curing
• Formwork Removal
< 84 >
Compaction
Concrete is compacted for two main reasons:
1. Remove voids in the concrete (5% voids → lower strength by as
much as 30%)
2. Complete contact between concrete with the formwork & the surface
of the reinforcing steel

Types of Compaction:
• Immersion vibrators
• Vibrating beam/slab screeds
• Formwork (external) vibration
• “Self-compacted” concrete
< 85 >
Improperly consolidated concrete!
< 86 >
Compaction: effect of voids
Compaction = less voids = strength

Loss of strength through incomplete compaction

< 87 >
Two-stage process:
1. Liquefaction of the concrete → slumps to fill the form giving a level top surface
2. Entrapped air is expelled

Stage 1
PROCESS: Liquefaction Stage 2
of the concrete which PROCESS: The
allows it to slump expulsion of entrapped
and fill the form air
TIME: 3 to 5 seconds TIME: 7 to 15 seconds
< 88 >

Fresh concrete – typically

has between 5% and
20% by volume of
entrapped air.

Concrete is thixotropic –
needs energy to become
flowing
< 89 >

Immersion vibrator

The vibrator moves aggregate closer together at the form

face and cement-sand mortar begins to move outward; air
pockets collect on the face of the forms
< 90 >
The mortar continues
to move through the
coarse aggregate
toward the face of the
form

The movement of the

mortar toward the face
is complete, air bubbles
move upward along the
form and out of concrete
< 91 >
Compaction of concrete placed in layers

Concrete to be placed in uniform layers and of a thickness to match the

'power' of the vibrator (usually between 250 and 400 mm)
< 92 >

Provide sufficient clearances to allow compaction

< 93 >
Use of a vibrating screed
< 94 >

Compaction
with External
Vibrators
< 95 >
Roller Compacted Concrete

Roller Compaction
Prepared Base Screeding
(striking of
the excess)

Saw-cut joints
Continuous Concrete Delivery
< 96 >

Construction Sequence
• Batching
• Mixing
• Transport to the Project Site
• Placement in the Formwork Today’s
• Compaction/Consolidation lecture
• Finishing
• Curing
• Formwork Removal
< 97 >
Floating
make the surface even and open in texture, ready for finishing
< 98 >
Concrete Finishing
No final finishing can begin until the bleed water has dried up
Mixing bleed water with the surface paste will weaken it,
possibly resulting in a dusty surface.
< 99 >

Concrete
Finishing: Joints
< 100 >
Summary
• Workability of fresh concrete
• Measurement of workability: slump test, vebe test, compacting factor test
• compaction
• segregation/bleeding
• plastic shrinkage cracking
• plastic settlement cracking
• Curing
• Concrete construction, handling and placing
< 101 >
Additional Resources
Slump Test - ASTM C143
Air Content Test - Pressure Gauge Method
Capping of Specimens

Taylor, G. D. (2000). Materials in

Construction: An Introduction, 3rd
Edition; Chapter 3, Concrete. Essex, UK:
Pearson Education Limited.