I’ll Reinforced Concrete: Types, Characteristics & Advantages (GROUP5)

Concrete- is one of the leading and most widespread construction materials of modern architecture. Made of well-
proportioned quantities of cement, sand, crushed rock or gravel, and water, this highly versatile material is
used for many applications, including buildings, roads, bridges, dams, canals, tunnels, and many more.
Highly durable, wind and water-resistant, non-combustible, soundproof – these are only some of the
features that earned concrete the head position among building materials.

What is reinforced concrete?

Reinforced concrete- also known as reinforced cement concrete, is a special type of concrete in which steel, in the
form of bars, rods, wires, cables, or a mesh, is embedded in such a manner to increase its compressive and
tensile strength, as well ductility. Invented in the 19th century, reinforced concrete revolutionized the
construction industry by improving the quality and extending the durability of constructions. The two
materials – concrete and steel – act together in resisting external forces, such as wind, vibrations,
earthquakes, and all other causes of tensile and shear stresses, thus preventing the concrete to crack,
crumble, or break altogether.

There are 3 types of Reinforced Concrete

1. Steel Reinforced Concrete

Steel reinforcement (also known as rebar) includes steel products such as mesh, wire, or bars used as a
tension device in reinforced concrete to strengthen and hold the concrete in tension. The surface of these kinds of
steel is usually ribbed or contoured to form a strong bond with the concrete.

There are two main types of reinforcing steel:

A. Steel Mesh

Steel mesh is ubiquitous in concrete reinforcing. It has a wide array of applications including driveway
paving, patio and house slabbing, building reinforcement and uses in rural applications such as fencing. There
are a few different types, including: how to tie a tie

a. Square Mesh

Square reinforcing mesh is a great multi-purpose reinforcement for concrete. Common uses
include driveway paving, patio and house slabbing, building reinforcements. As its name implies, the mesh
is square, and is also often ribbed to fuse better with the concrete.

b. Rectangular Mesh

Rectangular steel mesh is another common concrete reinforcement. The mesh is L-shaped and is
commonly used in concrete slabs for pavements, panels, warehouse and industrial shed slabs, tilt-up slabs,
driveways and patio slabs.

c. Trench Mesh

Trench mesh is a long, thin strip of steel mesh, commonly used in residential and industrial
buildings to reinforce concrete footings and beams.

B. Reinforcing Bars

Reinforcing bars are long, thin, ribbed steel bars used for reinforcing concrete. There are a few
common types, including:

a. Plain Round Bar

These are commonly used to separate layers of mesh in concrete slabbing or for joining concrete
sections in paving.

b. Deformed Bar

Deformed bars are used to reinforce trench mesh or fabric sheets.

c. Starter Bars

Starter bars are commonly used to connect reinforced concrete walls to slabs or footings.

d. Corner Bars
 Corner Bars are used to connect two elements of a structure that are at right angles to each other
(eg: walls, slabs or beams)

2. Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

Usage of fiber as a concrete reinforcement material date back to prehistoric times. Back then, builders
applied straws or horsehair, until fibrous materials, such as steel, glass, and synthetics were invented in the 20th
century.

Fiber-reinforced concrete contains small fibers that are uniformly distributed throughout the material.
Fibrous reinforcement is ideal for controlling cracks, as well as impact and corrosion resistance of the concrete.

Today, there are various fiber-reinforced concrete types, some of the most utilized being:

Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC)

It is a composite comprised of Portland cement, fine aggregate, water, acrylic co-polymer, alkali resistant
glass fiber reinforcement and additives. In many international markets, it is referred to as GRC – Glass Fiber
Reinforced Concrete. The glass fibers reinforce the concrete, much as steel reinforcing does in conventional
concrete. The glass fiber reinforcement results in a product with much higher flexural and tensile strengths than
normal concrete, allowing its use in thin-wall casting applications. GFRC is a lightweight, durable material that can
be cast into nearly unlimited shapes, colors and textures. There are two basic processes used to fabricate GFRC –
The Spray-Up process and Premix process.

Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC)

Steel fiber concrete is a type of reinforced concrete. It’s basically made up of cement, water, sand, gravel
and steel fibers. In some cases, additives are added. Steel fibers are discontinuous and isotropic, short metal
reinforcements similar to metal filaments or threads. These can be corrugated, wavy or smooth, with flat or shaped
ends. The SFRC short strands (usually about 4 or 5 cm in length) are added to the concrete mix in a ratio of between
25 and 100 kg per cubic meter of concrete, depending on the degree of reinforcement required. The mixture is then
poured directly on site. The metal fiber reinforcements are distributed throughout the concretes volume, modifying
its properties in all directions. A concrete reinforced with steel fibers is mainly characterized by having a high
resistance to compression, traction and flexion. At the same time, it has better ductility and therefore, less tendency
to crack

However, using concrete with steel fibers has advantages and disadvantages. To gain a better understanding of steel
fiber reinforced concrete, we present the advantages and disadvantages of its use.

 Advantages of steel fiber reinforced concrete

- The mechanical behavior of the structure is the same in all directions thanks to the homogeneous
distribution of the fibers.

- Increases surface resistance to abrasion and erosion.

- Increases durability, minimizing the appearance of cracks and fissures in concrete floors.

- Provides greater resistance to compression, traction, torsion, and shear force, meaning a greater loading
capacity.

- Increases the persistence and ductility of traditional concrete.

- Greater resistance to impacts, explosions, dynamic and cyclic loads.

- It’s possible to combine with wire mesh, to create an even more resistant structural system.

- Enables saving materials by creating thinner and lighter structures.

- It allows to lay concrete floors up to 2500 m2 without joints and is, therefore, easier to maintain and clean.

- The floor slabs can be up to 50% thinner than conventional slabs, which means that the SFRC is
significantly cheaper.

 Disadvantages of steel fiber reinforced concrete

- Risk of the appearance of steel fibers on the structures surface.

- The appearance of fibers affects the aesthetics of the structure.

 - An irregular mixing process of the concrete with the steel fibers can lead to the formation of balling fibers,
reducing the material’s isotopic properties.

- The use of steel fibers eliminates the concrete’s docility.

- It’s crucial to accurately determine the type, amount and length of fiber that should be used.

Natural Fiber Reinforced Concrete (NFRC)

Natural Fiber Reinforce Concrete (NFRC) is a type of fiber-reinforced concrete that uses natural fibers such as coir,
jute or bamboo to improve the mechanical properties of concrete. NFRC has the advantage of environmental
protection, energy saving and regeneration. They may go organic decay. Have low modulus of elasticity, high
impact strength.

Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete (PFRC)

Polypropylene fibers can be divided into microfibers and macrofibres depending on their length and the
function that they perform in the concrete. An overview of selected polypropylene fibers available on the market
was presented. Moreover, the influence of polypropylene fibers on physical and mechanical properties of concrete
such as workability; elasticity modulus; compressive, flexural, and tensile strength; toughness; impact, spalling,
freeze-thaw, abrasion resistance; water absorption; porosity; permeability; durability, and eco-friendly and economic
properties were discussed. Additionally, certain restrictions while designing fiber reinforced concrete mixture were
mentioned. The article proved that public spaces are a promising field of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete
application. Since they are subjected to e.g. unfavorable environmental conditions, impact damages, surface
abrasion, and vandalism, the use of concrete with enhanced propertied will be undeniably beneficial.

Polypropylene fibers (PPF) are polymer fibers type which defines as straight or deformed fragments of extruded,
oriented, and cut polymer material.

Two types of PPF

Macrofibres- also called structural fibers because they are able to replace the traditional reinforcement in the
form of steel bars and transfer loads acting on the structure. Therefore, the time needed to make steel
reinforcement, and thus the investment costs, are saved. Their length is usually between 30 and 50 mm. On
the other hand, microfibers are shorter than 30 mm and do not fulfill the load-bearing function. Their main
role is to overcome plastic shrinkage and limit the formation of cracks in the concrete. As a result, they
increase the durability and prolong the life of the element.

Microfiber- can be an alternative to crack control meshes. They can be classified as a monofilament or fibrillated.
The PPF can be obtained in two ways: by the technique of melt spinning and creating monofilaments or
from a sheet of polypropylene film producing fibrillated fibers. Depending on the production method,
fibers have different mechanical properties.

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC)

Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) are a class of High-Performance Fiber Reinforced

Cementitious Composites (HPFRCC). They are a special type of ultra-ductile fiber-reinforced concrete that uses
microfibers instead of macro fibers and are designed to exhibit superior strength, ductility, and durability properties
superior to traditional Portland cement concrete. ECC mainly consists of fibers, Portland cement, water, and fine
aggregates. In addition, ECC may also contain chemical admixtures and other materials to achieve desired
properties. A well designed ECC has exhibit several desirable properties such as multiple micro cracking improved
strength, improved durability, and self-healing abilities. Because of these excellent properties, ECC has been viewed
as an ideal material for various structural applications, such as enhancing seismic performance, reducing
reinforcement congestion, strengthening of unreinforced masonry walls, and creating corrosion-resistant structures.

Literature on ECC has constantly been growing since it was first invented in the early 1990's. Google
Scholar and Scopus search engine results indicate that new publications on ECC are increasing significantly on a
year-to-year basis, especially in recent years, With the increasing demand for Engineered Cementitious Composites,
it is crucial that its material properties are fully understood. This in-turn allows the user to selectively determine its
best use cases, identify regions of improvement and model the material for creating numerical models of
experiments. Consequently, numerical models can lead to saving time and money, especially when experiments
require expensive materials or long preparation times, such as experiments involving concrete and ECC.

Benefits of Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete contains steel embedded in the concrete so the two materials complement each other to
resist forces such as tensile, shear and compressive stress in the concrete structure. Normal plain concrete can
withstand compressive stress but does not do well with tensile and stresses such as those caused by wind,
earthquakes and vibrations.

The term reinforced is used because the steel reinforces the concrete and makes it an even stronger
construction material. Reinforced concrete is used in a variety of applications today. The benefits of using reinforced
concrete in construction include:

Ability to resist high-stress environments

Reinforced concrete was designed to meet the performance flaws of plain concrete, especially high-stress
environment. Concrete is one of the best construction materials widely known for its sturdiness and durability. The
material on its known has been known to fail in high-stress environments with natural disasters such as earthquakes
and tornadoes. The reinforcing value of the steel in concrete has made reinforced concrete a highly sought after
material in natural disaster-prone areas.

Fire and weather resistance

Reinforced concrete also has great weather and fire resistance. The nature of concrete does not allow it to
catch fire or burn. The material is not affected by weather such as rainfall and snow.

Limitless range of shape

Reinforced concrete can be molded into a limitless range of shapes. It is a great material for construction of
artistic architectural designs such as arcs and domes. The material is fluid in the beginning while the steel frame
structure is designed as a framework for the final design. Once the fluid material sets around the steel frame, it
creates wonderful variety of geometric and abstract shapes.

Low maintenance costs

Due to the long-lasting nature of reinforced concrete, maintenance is often at a minimum. Once the design
takes form and the concrete cures, you can rely on reinforced concrete to diligently stand the test of time.

PRECAST AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (GROUP6)

Precast concrete

is concrete that is cast and cured in a factory, then transported and installed on a construction site. It is used
to create structural components for buildings, such as walls, beams, and columns.

How it's made

Design: A design engineer creates a mixture of water, cement, and aggregates that meets the project's requirements

Forming: The mixture is poured into a reusable mold

Curing: The concrete cures in the mold

Demolding: The concrete is removed from the mold

Quality assurance: The concrete is inspected for quality

Transportation: The concrete is transported to the construction site

Installation: The concrete is installed on the construction site

Advantages:

Quality Control: Controlled factory conditions allow for consistent quality.

Time Efficiency: Manufacturing and site preparation can occur simultaneously.

Durability: Precast elements are resistant to weather, chemicals, and corrosion.

Reduced Waste: Reusable molds and controlled production minimize material waste.

Versatility: Custom designs are easily achieved with tailored molds.

Challenges:

Transportation: Heavy precast units can be costly to transport.

Installation: Requires cranes and skilled labor for assembly.

Design Flexibility: Less adaptable to on-site modifications.

Prestressed concrete

is a concrete-steel composite material that's used in construction to increase the concrete's strength and load
capacity.

How it's made:

*Steel wires, cables, or rods are stretched and anchored to the concrete before it's poured

*The concrete is poured into molds and cured

*Once the concrete has cured, the steel is released, which creates tension in the concrete

What it's used for:

bridges, dams, roads, stadiums, hospitals, parking garages, storage tanks, and multistory residential buildings.

Benefits:

Stronger: Prestressed concrete is one of the strongest building materials

Less likely to crack: Prestressed concrete is less likely to crack because the internal stresses reduce the potential for
tensile stresses

Lighter: Prestressed concrete can be designed to be lighter than other materials

Advantages:

Enhanced Strength: Can handle higher loads and longer spans.

Material Efficiency: Reduces the amount of concrete and steel required.

Durability: Minimizes cracking and deformation.

Flexibility: Ideal for complex and large structures.

Challenges:

Cost: Higher initial cost due to specialized materials and equipment.

Complexity: Requires skilled labor and precise execution.

Maintenance: Post-tensioned systems may need periodic inspections for durability.

Comparison: Precast vs. Prestressed Concrete

Combined Use:

Precast and prestressed concrete are often used together, especially in structures requiring both precision and
strength. For example, precast prestressed beams are common in bridge construction, combining the benefits of
factory production and high load capacity.

Conclusion:

Both precast and prestressed concrete have revolutionized modern construction by improving efficiency, quality,
and design flexibility. While precast concrete emphasizes controlled production and quick installation, prestressed
concrete focuses on enhancing strctural strength and durability, making them indispensable in construction.

CONCRETE SPECIMENS: MIXING AND CURING (GROUP7)

IMPORTANCE OF PROPER SPECIMEN PREPARATION
 Accurate Testing: Proper specimen preparation ensures accurate testing results, reflecting the true strength
and durability of the concrete mix.
 Quality Control: Specimens serve as quality control tools, verifying that the concrete meets project
specifications.
 Informed Decisions: Reliable test data informs crucial decisions regarding the concrete's suitability for the
project.

CONCRETE: THE FOUNDATION OF CONSTRUCTION

 Plain Concrete: A solid mass composed of cement, sand, gravel, and water, forming the foundation for
various structures.
 Reinforced Concrete: Concrete with embedded reinforcement, working together to resist forces and
enhance structural integrity.
PORTLAND CEMENT: THE BINDING AGENT
 Widely Used: Portland cement is the most common type used in building construction.
 Early Strength: Early strength Portland cement is ideal for projects requiring rapid strength gain, such as
road concreting or construction in cold weather.

AGGREGATES IN CONCRETE
 Fine Aggregate: Materials smaller than 9 mm in diameter, such as sand.
 Coarse Aggregate: Materials larger than 9 mm in diameter, such as gravel or crushed stone.

WATER: THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT

 Clean Water: Water used for concrete mixing must be clean and free from contaminants that could harm
the concrete or steel.
 Chloride-Free: Water for prestressed concrete or concrete with aluminum embedments should be free
from chloride ions.

TYPES OF CONCRETE AND THEIR WEIGHT

 Lightweight Concrete: Classified into three types depending on the kind of aggregates used, which
predetermines their weight:
1. Low-Density Concrete: Used for insulation purposes, with a unit weight rarely exceeding 50
pounds per cubic foot (800 kg/m³).
2. Moderate Strength Concrete: Has a unit weight between 960-1360 kg per cubic meter is and a
compressive strength of 70-176 kg per square centimeter, often used for filling over light-gauge
steel floor panels.
3. Structural Concrete: Has similar characteristics to medium-stone concrete, weighing between
90-120 pounds per cubic foot (1440-1920 kg/m³).
 Medium-Stone Concrete: Also known as structural concrete, weighing from 145 to 152 pounds per cubic
foot.
 Heavyweight Concrete: Used for shielding against radiation in nuclear reactors and as counterweights for
bridges.

MIXING CONCRETE: ACHIEVING A UNIFORM BLEND

 Job-Mixed Concrete: Mixed on-site using a batch mixer, ensuring a uniform distribution of materials.
 Ready-Mixed Concrete: Batched at a plant and delivered to the site, offering greater control over
proportions and consistency.

CONVEYING CONCRETE: ENSURING PROPER PLACEMENT

 Methods:
o Bottom dump trucks
o Buckets
o Wheelbarrows
o Pumping through steel pipelines
o Buggies
o G.I. pails
 Building Code Requirements: Concrete should be conveyed from the mixer to the final deposit using
methods that prevent separation or loss of materials. Conveying equipment must provide a continuous
supply of concrete without separation of ingredients.

UNDERSTANDING SEGREGATION: A THREAT TO CONCRETE QUALITY

 Causes of Segregation:
o Transferring Concrete
o Dropping Concrete from a height
o Improper Tamping
o Long Chutes
o Excessive Vibration
REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY CONCRETE
 Strength and Durability: Achieved through the right proportion of cement, aggregates, and water.
 Workability: The concrete mixture must be in a plastic form for easy placement.
 Density and Uniformity: Concrete must be compact with a uniform distribution of particles to ensure
water tightness.
 Chemical Reaction: Hardening depends on the chemical reaction between cement and water.
 Initial Setting: Begins within 2-3 hours after mixing, protected from rapid moisture loss.
 Strength Gain: 70% of strength is reached after the first week, with 30% lost due to premature drying.

CURING METHODS
 Burlap Covering: Continuously wet burlap for the required period.
 Wet Sand or Sawdust: Cover the slab with a layer of wet sand or sawdust.
 Wet Straw or Hay: Place wet straw or hay on top of the slab.
 Continuous Sprinkling: Continuously sprinkle water on the slab surface.

ADMIXTURES: MODIFYING CONCRETE PROPERTIES

 Water Repellent: Reduces water absorption and improves durability.
 Coloring Agent: Adds color to the concrete for aesthetic purposes.
 Workability Enhancer: Improves the ease of placement and compaction.
 Setting Time Modifier: Accelerates or retards the setting time of the concrete.

CONCRETE TESTING: ENSURING QUALITY AND DURABILITY

 Slump Test: Measures the consistency of freshly mixed concrete.
 Compression Test: Determines the strength of concrete by applying a compressive load to a specimen.
CONCRETE(GROUP8)

Concrete is a construction material composed of cement, fine aggregates and coarse aggregates mixed with water
which hardens with time. Concrete is a mixture of paste and aggregates, or rocks. The paste, composed of port land
cement and water, coats the surface of the fine (small) and coarse (larger) aggregates. Through a chemical reaction
called hydration, the paste hardens and gains strength to form the rock-like mass known as concrete. In a building
construction, concrete is used for the construction of foundations, columns, beams, slabs and other load bearing
elements.

CONCRETE TESTING
A concrete test is performed to learn more about the properties of a specific sample of concrete. A number of
different tests can be performed on concrete both, on a job site and in a laboratory.

•FLEXURAL STRENGTH TESTING

Flexural strength is the ability of a material, like concrete, to resist bending forces before it cracks or breaks. It's a
measure of the material's strength when subjected to loads that cause it to flex or bend.

MACHINE APPARATUS OF FLEXURAL/BENDING FOR TESTING

1. FLEXURAL STRENGTH TESTING MACHINE

A flexural strength testing machine is a specialized piece of equipment used to measure the flexural strength of
materials, primarily concrete. It's designed to apply controlled bending forces to a specimen until it breaks, allowing
engineers and scientists to determine how much stress the material can withstand before failing.

2. BUOYANCY BALANCE
A buoyancy balance is a specialized instrument used in concrete testing to determine the density and unit weight of
fresh concrete. It works by measuring the apparent weight of a concrete sample submerged in water, accounting for
the buoyant force exerted by the water. This provides a more accurate measurement of the concrete's density than
simply weighing it in air.

3. SCALE
"scale" concerning flexural strength refers to the size of the test specimen used. It's crucial to understand how the
size of the specimen affects the flexural strength results. Larger specimens tend to have lower flexural strength
compared to smaller specimens, even if they're made from the same concrete mix.
•COMPRESSION STRENGTH TESTING The compression test measures the compressive strength of hardened
concrete, giving you the best possible strength that it can achieve in perfect conditions. Concrete cubes or cylinders
are subjected to increasing compressive loads until failure occurs.

MACHINE APPARATUS OF COMPRESSIVE FOR TESTING

1. Weighing Scale
A weighing scale or load cell is used to measure the weight of the concrete cubes or cylinder. This is crucial for
calculating the compressive strength of the concrete.

2. Concrete Tamper (16mm dia and 600 mm height)

A concrete tamper machine, also known as a concrete vibrator or concrete compactor, is a
piece of equipment that uses vibrations to compact freshly poured concrete. This compaction
process is essential for removing air pockets and ensuring a dense, uniform concrete mix.

3. Testing Machine
A concrete compressive strength testing machine is an indispensable tool in the construction industry. It plays a vital
role in ensuring the quality, structural integrity, and safety of concrete structures by providing accurate
measurements of the material's compressive strength.

4. Concrete Cube Moulder (15 cm)

A concrete cube mold is a cubical container used in construction and civil engineering projects for
casting concrete cubes. These molds are typically made from metal, though they can also be made
from plastic or wood. They are essential for testing the compressive strength of concrete and
ensuring the structural integrity of concrete in construction projects.

•SHEAR STRENGTH TESTING

A shear strength test of concrete measures how well it resists forces that cause its layers to slide against each other.
The test can be performed horizontally or vertically.

MACHINE APPARATUS OF SHEAR FOR TESTING 1. UNIVERSAL TESTING MACHINE (UTM) A

Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is a versatile piece of equipment used to test the mechanical properties of
materials, including shear strength. It's essentially a powerful machine that applies controlled forces to a specimen,
allowing engineers to measure how the material responds under stress.

•TENSION STRENGTH TESTING

The "tension strength test in concrete apparatus" is more commonly referred to as a
direct tension test apparatus or a concrete tensile strength testing machine. This
apparatus is specifically designed to measure the tensile strength of concrete
specimens.

MACHINE APPARATUS OF TENSION FOR TESTING

1. UTM for Split Cylinder Test

The UTM is configured for compressive loading, and the concrete cylinder is placed horizontally
between the loading plates. Plywood strips are often used to distribute the tensile strength of
concrete.

2. UTM for Flexural Test

The UTM is used to apply a controlled load to the beam specimen, typically at the center. The
UTM's load cell measures the applied force, and its control panel records the load and
displacement data.

•WATER CONTENT STRENGTH TESTING

Concrete's water content is a critical factor in its strength and workability. Testing for water
content helps ensure the concrete mix meets specified requirements and avoids problems like
cracking or poor durability.

MACHINE APPARATUS OF WATER CONTENT FOR TESTING

 1. AUTOMATIC CONCRETE MOISTURE ANALYZER
An automatic concrete moisture analyzer is a device designed to measure the moisture content of concrete slabs
without manual intervention. These analyzers are crucial for ensuring the proper drying of concrete before applying
flooring or coatings. They provide accurate and reliable moisture readings, helping to prevent costly problems like
cracking, delamination, and mold growth.

2. CONCRETE MOISTURE TESTING MACHINE

A concrete moisture testing machine is a device used to measure the moisture content of concrete slabs. These
machines are essential for ensuring that concrete is sufficiently dry before applying flooring, coatings, or other
materials that could be affected by moisture.

3. WATER CONTENT ANALYZER

A water content analyzer is a device specifically designed to measure the amount of
water present in a concrete mix. This is crucial for ensuring that the concrete has the
right water-to-cement ratio for optimal strength, workability, and durability.