CHAPTER 3:

FRESH CONCRETE

Prepared by: Engr. NMSTabucal

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CHAPTER OUTLINE
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Concrete Mix Design
3.3 Factors Influencing Mix Design
3.4 Proportioning of Concrete Mix
3.5 ACI Mix Design
3.6 Properties of Fresh Concrete
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3.1 INTRODUCTION

Source: K.M. Nemati (2015), University of Washington

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3.1 INTRODUCTION
Concrete Mixture Proportions

Expressed in the basis of

mass of ingredients per
unit volume

Unit volume is either cubic

yard or cubic meter of
concrete
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3.1 INTRODUCTION
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3.1 INTRODUCTION
Concrete Mix Design

The art of economically selecting

suitable components of concrete and
determining its mix proportions to
produce concrete that will satisfy
performance requirements under a
particular conditions of use.
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3.2 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

Basic Considerations

Cost
Specifications
Workability
Strength
Durability
Placement Conditions
Appearance

Source: K.M. Nemati (2015), University of Washington

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3.2 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

Basic Considerations

Cost

Material cost
Equipment cost
Labor Cost
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3.2 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

Basic Considerations

Specifications

Minimum strength required

Minimum w/c ratio
Maximum cement content
Maximum aggregate/cement ratio
Maximum density of concrete
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3.2 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

Basic Considerations

Workability
Determines the case with which a
concrete mixture can be mixed, transported,
placed, compacted, and finished without
harmful segregation and bleeding

Measured using slump test (ASTM C143)

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3.2 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

Basic Considerations

Workability

Affected by:
1. w/c ratio
2. Amount and type of aggregates
3. Amount and type of cement
4. FA-to-CA ratio
5. Weather conditions
6. Admixtures
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3.2 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

Basic Considerations

Strength and Durability

Strength : ability of a material to resist

applied load
Durability :ability to resist weathering
action , chemical attack, and abrasion while
maintaining desired properties
Require lower w/c ratio
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3.2 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

Basic Considerations

Strength and Durability

Choice of slump
Maximum Size of Aggregates
Water-to-cement ratio
Minimum cement content
Finishability, appearance, water
resistance, permeability
Admixtures
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Type of Cement

Aggregates

Water-to-Cement Ratio

Quality Control
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Type of Cement

Influences rate of strength development

Higher strength : lesser cement content

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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Aggregates

Economical Consideration

Size and Shape

Strength

Exposure Conditions
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Aggregates
Economical Considerations

Minimize water and cement content to

produce stiffest possible concrete
Maximum size, shape, and Surface
Texture
Optimal ratio of FA to CA
Grading and its significance
Consistency, strength, finishability
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Aggregates
Size and Shape

Maximum Size of Aggregate (MSA): size

of smallest sieve through which all materials
pass

Nominal Maximum Size : largest size of

aggregate present
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Aggregates
Size and Shape

Larger nominal size : higher workability

Smaller size: higher SA for bonding

MSA:
< 1/5 of narrowest dimension of form
or spacing of rebars
or <1/3 thickness of unreinforced slab
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Aggregates
Size and Shape

Fineness modulus is calculated from

particle size distribution of FA

Values ranges from 2.3 to 3.1

Influences bulk volume of coarse aggregates

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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Aggregates
Exposure Conditions

Air Entraining/ Air Content

must be used in concrete
exposed to freezing and
thawing
used to improve
workability
Depends on: (1) MSA and
(2) Level of exposure
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Aggregates
Exposure Conditions
Requirements of ACI 318 Building Code and ASTM C94
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Water-to-Cement Ratio (w/c)

Inversely proportional with compressive strength

Determined from:

1. Durability
considerations

2. Required strength
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3.3 FACTORS INFLUENCING MIX DESIGN

Water-to-Cement Ratio (w/c)
Requirement of ACI 318 Building Code
Max w/c ratio Min Fc MPa (psi)
Concrete intended to have 0.5 28 (4000)
low permeability when
exposed to water
Concrete exposed to 0.45 31 (4500)
thawing and freezing in a
moist condition or to de-
icing chemicals
For corrosion protection of 0.40 35 (5000)
reinforcement in concrete
exposed to chloride
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3.4 PROPORTIONING OF CONCRETE MIX

May be determined by:
Published data (i.e American Concrete Institute)
Direct laboratory test (Trial Method)

Provide means of meeting specified requirements of

quality

Components must satisfy quality requirements:

Aggregates: sound, clean, well shaped, and
properly graded
Cement: appropriate type, normal setting
characteristics, should fulfill specification
requirement
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3.4 PROPORTIONING OF CONCRETE MIX

Concrete mix designs are often given by a ratio:

Ratio is in terms of weight in the components

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3.4 PROPORTIONING OF CONCRETE MIX

Concrete mix designs are often given by a ratio:

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3.4 PROPORTIONING OF CONCRETE MIX

Most common method : Absolute Volume
Method

Other methods:
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Sieve Analysis, Unit Weight, SG,

1. Required material Information Absorption Capacities
2. Choice of slump

3. Maximum Size of Aggregates

4. Estimation of mixing water and air content

5. Water-to-cement Ratio

6. Calculation of cement content

3.5 7. Estimation of coarse aggregate content
ACI 8. Estimation of fine aggregate content
MIX 9. Adjustment for moisture in the aggregate

DESIGN 10. Trial Batch

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3.5 ACI MIX DESIGN

SAMPLE PROBLEM
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3.5 ACI MIX DESIGN

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3.5 ACI MIX DESIGN

SAMPLE PROBLEM (TABLES)
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3.5 ACI MIX DESIGN

SAMPLE PROBLEM (TABLES)
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Comprise batching, mixing, transporting,
placing, compacting, and surface finishing

Affects hardened concrete due to:

Strength and durability depends on its

compaction
First 48 hours are important for the
performance of concrete
Controls long-term behavior, ultimate
strength, elastic modulus, creep, and
durability
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Properties at Early Age

Workability
Slump Loss
Segregation/Bleeding
Plastic Shrinkage
Time of Set
Temperature
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Workability

Not a fundamental property of concrete

Consistency : Fluidity of the mix

Too wet mix is workable but segregation will
occur and results to excessive bleeding,
formation of honeycomb, and sand streaking

Cohesiveness : bleeding and segregation

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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Workability

Measurement methods:
Slump test
Kelly Ball Test
Compacting factor test
Pressure method

Do not use more water; use adequate vibration

for more compaction
Do not over vibrate for this will cause error in
slump
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Workability

Stiffening and Setting

Concrete gradually stiffens until it

becomes rigid

It is essential to remain plastic long

enough to permit transportation, placing,
consolidation, and finishing
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Stiffening and Setting

Initial Set: Loss of consistency, unworkable concrete

Final Set: Complete solidification
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Segregation
Separation of constituents of a heterogeneous
mixture which will result to non-uniform
distribution

Two forms:
(1) Coarser particles tend to separate out
(2) Cement separate from the mix

Depends also on handling method and concrete

placing
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Segregation
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Bleeeding
Water Gain : form of segregation where in
water in the mix tend to rise to the surface

Caused by inability of solids to mix and hold

water while setting

Can be expressed as the total settlement per

unit height of concrete
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3.6 PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE

Platic Shrinkage
Cracks appearing on the surface of fresh
concrete while on plastic stage

Reasons: loss of water

Rate of water evaporation is caused by:

air and concrete humidity
Wind speed
Relative humidity
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