PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE

CE133 – STRUCTURAL DESIGN 1: RCD

PREPARED BY: ENGR. NESLYN E. LOPEZ
LEARNING OBJETIVES

1. Compare the difference between the concrete and a reinforced concrete. (CO1)
2. Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of concrete as structural member.
(CO1)
3. Relate the overview of the requirements of concrete design in accordance to
National Structural Code of the Philippines. (CO1)
4. Determine the properties of concrete based on the laboratory tests depicted by
stress-strain diagram. (CO1)
5. Enumerate other phenomena related to concrete structures such as shrinkage and
creeping. (CO1)
CONCRETE

 Composite material composed of

Portland cement, fine aggregate (sand),
coarse aggregate (gravel/stone), and
water; with or without other additives.
REINFORCED CONCRETE

 combination of concrete and steel

wherein the steel reinforcement
provides the tensile strength lacking in
the concrete
ADVANTAGES REINFORCED CONCRETE AS
STRUCTURAL MATERIAL

 High Compressive strength  Can be cast in variety of shapes

 High Fire and Water Resistant  Inexpensive local materials
 Very rigid  Lower grade of skilled labor
 Low-maintenance cost
 Long service life
 Economical material
DISADVANTAGES REINFORCED CONCRETE AS
STRUCTURAL MATERIAL

 Very low tensile strength

 Formworks are needed until it attains its strength
 Low strength per unit of volume
 Depends upon proportioning and mixing
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: HYDRATION

 Hydration: Chemical process in which the cement powder reacts with

water and sets and hardens into a solid mass, bonding the aggregates
together

 Heat of Hydration: Heat is released during the hydration process.

 In large concrete masses heat is dissipated slowly temperature rises
and volume expansion later cooling causes contraction.
 Use special measures to control cracking.
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: STRENGTH, POISSON'S RATIO

 Compressive Strength, f’c

Normally use 28-day strength for design strength

 Poisson’s Ratio, n
n ~ 0.15 to 0.20
Usually use n = 0.17
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: MODULUS OF ELASTICITY
 Concrete has no definite modulus of elasticity. Its value Is dependent
on the characteristics of cement and aggregates used, age of concrete
and strengths.
 From NSCP (Section 5.8.5), modulus of elasticity Ec for concrete for values of wc
between 1,500 and 2,500 kg/m3 may be taken as:

𝐸𝑐 = 1.5
𝑤𝑐 0.043 𝑓′𝑐 (MPa)
Where:
Wc = unit weight of concrete in kg/m3
f’c = compressive of concrete in MPa
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: STRESS-STRAIN DIAGRAM

 Maximum useable strain, 𝜀 u

ACI Code: 𝜀 u = 0.003
Used for flexural and axial compression
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: TENSILE STRENGTH

 Tensile strength ~ 8% to 15% of f’c

 Modulus of Rupture, fr
𝑀𝑐 6𝑀
𝑓𝑟 = = 2
𝐼 𝑏ℎ
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: TENSILE STRENGTH

 Splitting Tensile Strength, fct

 Split Cylinder Test P
Concrete Cylinder

2𝑃 Poisson’s
𝑓𝑡 = Effect
𝜋𝐿𝐷
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: SHRINKAGE

 Due to water loss to atmosphere (volume loss).

Plastic shrinkage occurs while concrete is still “wet” (hot day, flat
work, etc.)
Drying shrinkage occurs after concrete has set
Most shrinkage occurs in first few months (~80% within one
year).
Cycles of shrinking and swelling may occur as environment
changes.
Reinforcement restrains the development of shrinkage.
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: SHRINKAGE

 Shrinkage of an Unloaded Specimen

 80% of shrinkage occurs in first year
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: SHRINKAGE

 Shrinkage is a function of
 W/C ratio (high water content reduces amount of aggregate which restrains
shrinkage)
 Aggregate type & content (modulus of Elasticity)
 Volume/Surface RatioType of cement (finely ground…)
 Admixtures
 Relative humidity (largest for relative humidity of 40% or less).
 Typical magnitude of strain: (200 to 600) * 10-6 or (200 to 600 microstrain)
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: CREEP

 Deformations (strains) under sustained loads. P

 Like shrinkage, creep is not completely reversible.
dL, elastic
dL, creep
L

P
𝜀=dL/L
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: CREEP

 Magnitude of creep strain is a function of all the above that

affect shrinkage, plus
magnitude of stress
age at loading
CONCRETE PROPERTIES: CREEP

 Creep strain develops over time…

Absorbed water layers tend to become thinner between gel
particles that are transmitting compressive stresses
Bonds form between gel particles in their deformed position.
END 

NEXT TOPIC:
CRACKED, UNCRACKED AND ULTIMATE STRENGTH
STAGE OF A CONCRETE
KINDLY REVIEW THE NSCP CODE