Hydraulic cement has the property of setting and hardening under water by hydration .

setting
Stiffening of the cement paste i.e. change from a fluid

to a rigid state . Although during setting the paste gains some strength , for practical purposes , its convenient to distinguish setting from hardening , which refers to the gain of strength of a set cement paste .

The setting process is accompanied by temperature

change in the cement paste .

Initial set correspond to a rapid rise in temperature

and final set to the peak temperature .

At this time a sharp drop in electrical conductivity

also takes place , and attempts have been made to measure setting by electrical means .

The setting time decreases with a rise in temperature

but above about 30 c a reverse effect may be observed . False set is stiffening of cement within a few minutes of mixing with water . No appreciable heat is evolved . If false set is encountered , it can be dealt with by remixing the concrete without adding any water .

The hydration starts at the surface of the cement

particles , its the total surface area of cement that represent the material available for hydration . Rate of hydration depends on the fineness of the cement particles . The cost of grinding to a higher fineness is considerable . Cause a higher shrinkage and cracking. Fine cement bleeds less than a coarse one .

Structure of hydrated cement

Fresh cement paste is a plastic network of particles of

cement in water but once the paste has set , its gross volume remains approximately constant .

Heat of hydration of cement

The hydration of cement compounds is exothermic Heat conductivity of concrete is comparatively low . In interior of a large concrete mass , hydration results in a

large rise in temperature . At the same time the exterior of the concrete mass loses some heat . So steep gradient in temperature may be established and during subsequent cooling cracking may occur . The heat produced by the hydration of cement may prevent freezing if the water in fresh placed concrete in cold weather .

Types of Portland cement

Ordinary Portland cement ( type 1

)
For general concrete construction .

Rapid hardening Portland cement

( type 3 )
Type 1 and type 3 has similar setting time . Higher rate of hardening due to 1- more C3S . 2-finer cement particles .

Used for 1- when formwork to be removed early for reuse . 2-sufficient strength for further construction is wanted . 3- at low temperature .
Should not be used in mass construction .

Low heat Portland cement ( type 4 ) . Modified Portland cement (type 2)

Higher rate of heat than that of low heat cement with a rate of gain of strength similar to that of ordinary Portland cement . Used for 1- where moderately low heat generation is desirable. 2- where moderate sulphate attack may occur .

Sulphate resisting Portland cement ( type 5 ) .

Admixture
To modify the properties of the cement .
Calcium chloride

To increase the rate of strength development . Used for 1-at low temperature . 2-when urgent repair work is to be done Retarders Cause a delay in the setting and hardening of the cement paste .

Used for 1- in hot weather . 2-to obtain architectural finish of exposed aggregate. Retarding action is exhibited by sugar . Superplasticizer To increase the workability at a given w/c ratio . The resulting can be placed with little or without compaction and its not subjected to excessive bleeding and segregation . Useful for placing in very heavily reinforced sections .

 Since at least three-quarters of the volume of concrete

is occupied by aggregate , weak aggregate cannot produce strong concrete and the properties of aggregate greatly affect the durability and structural performance of concert Aggregate is cheaper than cement and its , therefore , economical to put into the mix as much of the former and as little of the latter as possible . It confers considerable technical advantages on concrete , which has a higher volume stability and better durability than the cement paste alone .

Coarse and fine aggregate

To

BS

5mm

To ASTM sieve # 4

i.e. 4.75 mm

 All aggregate originally formed a part of a larger parent

mass . This may have been fragmented by natural processes such as weathering and abrasion or artificially by crushing . Particles shape definition Flaky ++++ the thickness is small relative to the other dimensions . Elongated ++++ the length is considerably larger than the other dimensions . Flaky and elongated ++++the length considerably larger than the width and width is considerably larger than the thickness .

 Bond between aggregate and cement paste is an

important factor in the strength of concrete especially in the flexure strength . Toughness ++++ the resistance of aggregate to failure by impact . Surface texture : 1-glassy 2- smooth 3-granular 4-rough 5-crystalline 6-honeycombed