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Concrete that is able to flow under its own weight and completely fill the formwork, even in
the presence of dense reinforcement, without the need of any vibration, whilst maintaining
homogeneity
Advantages
Faster construction
Easier placing
1) Ability to flow into and completely fill complex forms under its own weight
2) Ability to pass through and bond to congested reinforcement under its own weight
Constituent Materials
Cement
Water
Fibres (short)
Workability Tests
Applications
Congested sections/area
High-rise building
FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE (FRC)
ADMIXTURES: A material added to plastic concrete or mortar, other than water, aggregates,
cement, and fibre TO change one or more properties of fresh or hardened concrete
2. Chemical admixtures
Form of Admixtures
Liquid - chemical
Flake - chemical
CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES
Chemical added in very small amount or quantity to the mixture to develop special properties
in fresh or hardened concrete
1) Accelerating admixture
2) Retarding admixture
4) Air-entraining admixture
Accelerating admixture
To accelerate the setting and early strength development of concrete, particularly in cold
weather applications
Large dosage may cause severe corrosion and loss of strength at later ages
CaCl2 is not recommended in hot weather concreting and for pre-stressed concrete and may
be ineffective at temperatures below freezing because concrete can freeze before it reaches
the initial set.
Retarding Admixture
Added to concrete to delay its setting and hardening, especially in hot weather applications
(temperature greater than 32 C)
Hot weather increases the rate of hardening which makes it difficult to place and finish the
plastic concrete
Recommended in large structures and difficult situations such as large piers and foundations,
to delay the initial set as well as to keep concrete workable throughout the entire placing
period (eliminate cold joint)
Water-Reducing Admixture
Used to reduce the quantity of mixing water required, which increase the compressive
strength, and to produce concrete of desired consistency or high slump.
Its effect is due to increased dispersion of cement particles, causing a reduction in the
viscosity of the concrete.
High-Range Water Reducer
Added in small dosage with mixing water (typically 0.2% by weight of cement) to increase
slump
Dosage rate may vary from brand to brand for different types of cement.
By using superplasticizer, it is possible to have w/c ratio in the range of 0.3 to 0.45 which
would be impossible otherwise.
Addition of superplasticizer increases cost by 5% BUT savings in labour can be as high as 33%
Effect of Superplasticizer
Increase in workability
Eliminates segregation
Less shrinkage
Low permeability
Air-Entraining Admixture
Fresh concrete
Increase workability
Hardened concrete
Methods of curing
wet curing
The first method is that of providing water which can be imbibed by the concrete. This requires that the
surface of the concrete is continuously in contact with water for a specified length of time, starting as soon
as the surface of the concrete is no longer liable to damage.
Such conditions can be achieved by continuous spraying or flooding (ponding), or by covering the
concrete with wet sand or earth, sawdust or straw, Some care is required as staining may result.
Periodically-wetted clean hessian (burlap) or cotton mats (thick and lapped) may be used, or alternatively
an absorbent covering with access to water may be placed over the concrete. On inclined or vertical
surfaces, soaking hoses can be used.
As far as quality of the water used for curing is concerned, ideally it should be the same as mixing water.
Sea water may lead to corrosion of reinforcement. Also, iron or organic matter may cause staining,
particularly if water flows slowly over the concrete and evaporates rapidly. In some cases, discoloration is
of no significance.
Membrane curing
The second method of curing relies on the prevention of loss of water from the surface of the concrete,
without the possibility of external water ingressing in to it. This could be called a water-barrier method.
The techniques used include covering the surface of the concrete with overlapping polyethylene sheeting,
flat or with reinforced paper. The sheeting can be black, which is preferable in cold weather, or white,
which has the advantage of reflection of solar radiation in hot weather.
It is obvious that the membrane must be continuous and undamaged. The timing of spraying is also
critical. The curing spray should be applied after bleeding has stopped bringing water to the surface of the
concrete but before the surface has dried out.
Steam Curing
The primary object of steam curing is to obtain a sufficiently high early strength so that the concrete
products may be handled soon after casting: the moulds can be removed, or the prestressing bed
vacated, earlier than would be the case ordinary moist curing, and less curing storage space is required;
all these an economic advantage.
Because of the nature of the operations involved in steam curing, the process is used mainly with precast
products. Low-pressure steam curing normally applied in special chambers or in tunnels through which
the concrete members are transported on a conveyor belt. Alternatively, portable boxes or plastic can be
placed over precast members, steam being supplied through pipes.
There are several methods of electrical curing. In one, electric current passes through the fresh concrete
between external electrodes. The current must be alternating as direct current would lead to hydrolysis of
the cement paste.