CIV2235 Structural Materials

Lecture #4 (Week 4):

Properties of Hardened Concrete

Dr Fatemeh Azhari (Clayton Campus)

Email: Fatemeh.Azhari@monash.edu
Department of Civil Engineering
 <2>
Today’s lecture
• understand relevant properties of hardened concrete &
why they are relevant to engineering design
—compressive/tensile strength
—modulus of elasticity
—creep and shrinkage
• learn where to look for properties of concrete in AS3600
• learn methods used in AS3600 to estimate some concrete properties

1. Australian Standard, AS3600, Section 3 Design Properties of Concrete

2. Hardened Concrete, Chapter 5 of Advanced Concrete Technology
3. Properties of hardened concrete, Chapter 14 of Civil Engineering materials
 <3>
1. Structural performance
• strength: the ability of the structure to withstand load.
• serviceability: the ability of the structure to provide a comfortable, aesthetic
environment when used for intended functions.
• durability:the time for which the structure is serviceable, and the
maintenance required for it to remain serviceable.
Key hardened concrete properties <4>
• Strength
• Modulus of Elasticity
• Creep
• Shrinkage
• Coefficient of thermal
expansion
• Durability

Materials
Science [of
Concrete]

Structural Design
 <5>
Three stages of concrete
 <6>
Water to cement ratio vs permeability
Permeability (in fluid mechanics & earth sciences) is a measure of the ability
of a porous material to allow fluids to pass through it.

↑ w/c = ↑ permeability

permeability ~ porosity (pores)

PORES
CONNECTIVITY

porosity=measure of void spaces,

ratio of void volume/total volume
 <7>
Volume changes in cement hydration

Vec Empty
Capillary pores

Capillary
Capillaries
water
Vcw
Vw Water

Vgw Gel water

Hydrated
Solid
cement or
products of
Vp cement
hydration
gel
Vc
Ceme
nt
Unhydrated
Vuc cement

before hydration during hydration

 Lower w/c =  porosity = greater strength <8>
(only w/c = 0.27 is needed to fully hydrate the cement; surplus free water
leads to void formation)
Low w/c High w/c

Cement Particles
Suspended in
mixing Water

Air and/or
Fully Water-filled
Hydrated Cement voids
 <9>
2. Compressive strength
age for strength: 28 days
cylinders: 150 (D) and 300
mm (H)

→ →
Compressive strength: major factors of influence

• water/cement ratio (w/c): w/c ↓ strength ↑

• age: age ↑ strength ↑
• type of curing
• degree of compaction: good compaction (less voids): strength ↑
 < 10 >
Compressive strength
The most common test preformed on concrete is for compressive
strength. There are several reasons for this:

1. The most important properties of concrete→ directly

related to the compressive strength;
2. Concrete has little tensile strength and is used primarily in
compression
3. structural design codes are based on compressive strength

➢ The test is relatively simple and inexpensive to perform.

 < 11 >
Compressive strength

D standard specimen

30°
➢ The larger the diameter (D) the lower compressive strength region
unaffected by
➢ H/D = 2: to reduce the effect of lateral forces developed lateral forces
between the end surfaces of the concrete specimen and the
adjacent steel platens of the testing machine
 < 12 >
Capillary porosity and strength

High capillary
porosity leads to
lower strength
 < 13 >
Compressive strength – w/c ratio

↑ w/c

↑ w/c = ↓ strength

But do not forget

this…
↑ w/c = ↑ workability
 < 14 >
Compressive strength – w/c ratio & age

1 age=constant: w/c ↓ strength ↑

2 w/c=constant: age ↑ strength ↑

age ↑ : more reaction between

cement and water, thus reducing
capillary porosity → strength ↑
What’s curing? < 15 >

▪ Curing means to cover the concrete so that

it stays MOIST
▪ By keeping concrete moist the bond between
the paste and the aggregates gets stronger
▪ Concrete doesn’t harden properly if it is left to
dry out

When to cure?

▪ Curing is done just after finishing the concrete surface, as soon as it will
not be damaged
 < 16 >
Curing is the maintenance of satisfactory moisture content and of
favourable temperature of concrete immediately after compaction and until
concrete has developed the desired strength

Concrete must be properly cured to develop optimum properties

Compressive strength of properly cured concrete is 80–100 % greater than the

strength of concrete which has not been cured at all.

Properly cured concrete surfaces wear well.

Drying, shrinkage, cracking is reduced.

Cause: excessive loss of water by evaporation can delay

or prevent adequate hydration. surface

The surface is particularly susceptible to insufficient

hydration because it dries first
 < 17 >
Curing: minimize moisture loss for hydration of cement

Wet Hessian Mats

Wet Curing (flooding) Plastic Sheet

(reduces evaporation)

Standard Laboratory Curing (Fog Standard Laboratory

Sprayed Curing Membrane room @ 25 degC and 100% RH) Curing (Bath @ 25 degC)
 < 18 >
Curing and strength

Curing is the process of

controlling the rate and
extent of moisture loss from
concrete during cement
hydration

curing ↑ strength ↑
 < 19 >
Curing temperature effect on strength
 < 20 >
Compaction
 Compaction = less voids
=  strength
▪ 5% voids 25% loss of strength
 < 21 >
Compressive strength- Characteristic strength (f’c)
Value of the material strength, as assessed by a standard test at 28 days, below
which not more than 5% of the test results are expected to fall.
AS3600, Section 3.1.1
 < 22 >
Stress-strain relationship
what is going on at the microscale…

understand this → better engineered materials

 < 23 >
Stress-strain relationship
slope is steeper for higher strength concrete
normal concrete, strain at the peak stress =0.2%
 < 24 >
Stress-strain relationship
elastic materials

linear elastic nonlinear elastic

rubbers…
inelastic materials

permanent deformation
 < 25 >
Stress-strain curve-AS3600
Concrete – an isotropic material < 26 >

Mechanical behaviour is described by

TWO material constants: E and 𝞶

Anisotropic
materials:
fibres
3.Modulus of elasticity – AS3600 (3 methods) < 27 >

ρ:density

3 fcmi = mean value of in situ compressive strength of

methods concrete at the relevant age (see Clause 3.1.1.2 and Table 3.1.2)
 < 28 >
Tensile strength
 < 29 >
Tensile strength and compressive strength
Tensile strength is required e.g. in the calculation of deflection.
AS3600
 4. Creep < 30 >
instantaneous deflection

Deflection after a long time

Creep = Increase of deformation with time while under load

—increases deflection of concrete beams
— reinforced concrete columns, redistribution of stress in concrete & steel
—tall buildings, the shortage of reinforced concrete columns may cause the final height
of the building to be
significantly shorter, and has to be
taken into consideration in design
and construction
 < 31 >
Creep
creep=increase of strain, in time, under a sustained constant stress

constant
stress creep
strain
initial
strain

• concrete exhibits creep even at very low stress & under normal env. conditions
• steel creeps only at high stresses (normal conditions)
• creep deformation is of the same magnitude as the elastic deformation
• creep develops in a concrete rapidly at the beginning & gradually decreases with time;
continues over a long period of time (more than 30 years!!!)
• cause: removal of adsorbed water from hydrated cement paste, and growth of microcracks
 < 32 >
Factor that influence creep
▪ level of stress

▪ relative humidity

▪ strength of concrete at the time of loading

▪ average path length for moisture movement

▪ duration of applied load

 < 33 >
Creep is not fully reversible
elastic recovery = approximately of the same order as the initial elastic strain
the elastic recovery is followed by a gradual decrease in strain (creep recovery)
creep recovery occurs more rapidly than creep

concrete
unloaded
Creep: AS3600: 2018, Section 3 < 34 >
Creep: AS3600: 2018, Section 3 < 35 >
Creep: AS3600: 2018, Section 3
 < 37 >
Figure 3.1.8.3: coefficient k2

k2

(four sides
exposed)
TIME AFTER LOADING, t
5. Shrinkage < 38 >

• plastic shrinkage
• autogenous shrinkage shrinkage = volume REDUCTION
• drying shrinkage caused by loss of water
• thermal shrinkage

concrete ‘I cannot live without shrinkages and cracks’

volume change induced cracks load induced cracks

 < 39 >
Factors influencing shrinkage
▪ aggregate content

▪ w/c ratio

▪ relative humidity (exposure environment)

▪ surface-to-volume ratio

▪ age of concrete
 < 40 >
Plastic shrinkage
▪ When cement paste is plastic, it undergoes a volumetric
contraction due to loss of water by evaporation from the
surface
▪ rarely impair strength/durability
 < 41 >
Drying shrinkage
Contraction of a hardened concrete due to
the loss of capillary water
• inevitable unless completely submerged
in water or in environment with 100%
relative humidity
• a phenomenon that routinely occurs
• hydrated cement paste shrinks
considerably more than concrete
KEY FACTORS:
• aggregate content: ↑ aggregates, ↓ shrinkage
• aggregate’s elasticity modulus ↑ : ↓ shrinkage
• water to cement ratio: ↑ w/c, ↑ shrinkage
• relative humidity (RH): rate of shrinkage is lower at
higher RH
• size of members: large, small shrinkage
 < 42 >
Autogeneous shrinkage
• This is the shrinkage associated with the withdrawal of water from the
capillary and gel pores for the hydration of the unhydrated cement.
• It is especially severe at low w/c ratios, where a great degree of unhydrated
cement is present.
→ At low w/c ratios, all water content is rapidly drawn into the hydration
process and the demand for more water creates very fine capillaries. The
surface tension within the capillaries causes autogenous shrinkage →
cracks
• Autogenous shrinkage can be largely avoided by keeping the surface of
concrete continuously wet
• It should be considered specifically when new concrete is cast against
hardened concrete.
 < 43 >
Shrinkage – AS3600

drying
shrinkage
autogenous strain
shrinkage
strain
Shrinkage: AS3600: 2018, Section 3 < 44 >
Shrinkage: AS3600: 2018, Section 3 < 45 >
 Shrinkage: AS3600: 2018, Section 3

theoretical thickness

A: Cross Section Area

P:Perimeter
 < 47 >
Thermal expansion coefficient – AS3600

❑ materials expand/contracts when temperature increases/decreases

❑ cement paste and aggregates have dissimilar thermal coefficients
❑ the thermal coefficient of concrete is a function of the ones of mortar/
aggregates (detail can be found in page 246, Neville’s book ‘Concrete
Technology’, 2nd Edition)
 < 48 >

In massive structures
(thickness > 1m):
thermal shrinkage
dominates
 < 49 >
Restrained shrinkage
(a) initial state

(e) net tensile stress exceeds tensile

strength

Crack relieves tension

(b) dried/cooled without restraint

Contraction, but no stress (d) dried/cooled with ends restrained

long term effect

Creep reduces stress developed

(c) dried/cooled with ends restrained
short term effect

Tensile stress develops

 < 50 >
6. Testing, Specification, Construction Operations
•Relations between Australian Standards
•Specification of concrete: normal class and special class
•Testing
•Construction operations:
mixing/transporting/placing/finishing

1. Australian Standard, AS 3600, Section 3 Design Properties of Concrete

2. Australian Standard, AS 1379, Specification and Supply of Concrete
 Relationships Between the Australian Standards < 51 >
Structural Design
AS3600 Concrete Structures

Specification of Concrete
AS1379 Supply of Concrete

Specification of
Sampling and Testing
Constituent Materials
Specifications
Portland & Blended
Concrete Testing Cements
AS1012 Methods of Testing Concrete AS3972

Cement Testing
Admixtures
AS2350
AS1478
Aggregate Testing
AS1141 Methods for Sampling Aggregates
& Testing Aggregates AS2758
 < 52 >
Specifying concrete

AS1379 Specification and Supply of Concrete

▪ Site-mixed, factory-mixed and truck-mixed concretes
▪ Specification of materials
▪ Plants and equipments
▪ Specifying and ordering of concrete
▪ Sampling testing for compliance
 AS1379—Specification of concrete < 53 >
Two Classes of Concrete:
• Normal Class : bulk of the concrete supplied
• Special Class: special requirements for a particular project
• Strength grade: e.g. N30

normal AS1379
N#
strength in MPa
 Normal Class Concrete < 54 >
• applies to most concrete
• strength grades: N20, N25, N32, N40 or
N50
• slump: 40, 60, 80 or 100 mm
• max aggregate size: 10, 14, or 20 mm
• density: 2100 to 2800 kg/m3
• shrinkage not exceeding 1000 x 10-6
• no lightweight aggregates
• other requirements by AS1379 (Section
1.5.3)
Special Class Concrete – AS1379 (Section 1.5.4) < 55 >
“Special Class” is concrete which is specified to have certain properties or
characteristics different from, or additional to, those of Normal Class concrete.
• performance specification:

i.e., particular mechanical/durability properties

• prescription specification :

e.g. the minimum Woronora Bridge

cement content shall be
400 kg/m3
 < 56 >

Project Assessment
On a regular testing basis:
• volume
• slump
• strength (compressive, flexure or tensile)
• air content
• chloride and sulphate content
• drying shrinkage
Sampling and testing (AS1379,Section 5) < 57 >

• slump test
• air content test
• temperature test
• chloride and sulfate content
• drying shrinkage (AS1379,
5.6)
• etc.

• compressive strength test

• tensile strength test
• permeability test
 < 58 >

Slump and Tolerance

Specified slump Tolerance (mm)
<60 10

60 to 80 15

80 to 110 20

>110 30
•compressive strength test < 59 >

• a large number of test samples!!!

• Strength varies between batches

frequency distribution curve/bell

curve (normal or Gaussian
distribution)

histogram of strength
values
 < 60 >

n samples

Standard
deviation
Mean value
 < 61 >
Probability
very good

Good

Poor

Strength
f’c f’c f’c Target
(poor) (good) (very
good)
kS
 Strength Assessment < 62 >

▪ specifically for a plant

or a group of plants
▪ Production assessment ▪ continuous sampling
▪ Project assessment ▪ one selected grade

• Supplier is obligated to
provide the records, if
requested by the purchaser
Other Standard Requirements < 63 >
(Wide basic requirements for all concrete)

• Density 2100-2800 kg/m

• Acid soluble chloride and sulphate limits
• Shrinkage (max 1000 microstrain)
• 7 day strength 50% of grade strength (up to N50)
• Cement complying with AS3972 alone or plus ‘one or
more supplementary cementitious materials’
 Drying Shrinkage < 64 >

• Sampled at the point of discharge

• Casting, curing, and testing carried out in accordance
with AS 1012.13 by registered laboratory
• Drying shrinkage: measured after 56 days drying (50%
RH
& 23oC), in accordance with AS 1012.13
• Normal Class Concrete: shrinkage ≤ 1000 µε
• Special Class : shrinkage specified to an acceptable
limit
Construction Sequence < 65 >

• Batching
• Mixing
• Transport (to the project site)
• Placement in the formwork
• Compaction
• Finishing
• Curing
• Formwork removal
 Concrete Plant < 66 >

A concrete plant (or batch plant or batching plant ) is equipment that

combines various ingredients to form concrete. Some of these inputs include
water, air, admixtures, sand, aggregate, fly ash, silica fume, slag, and cement.
Storage of materials - Aggregates < 67 >
• Free drainage
• Clear identification
• Prevent uncontrolled intermingling of sizes/types
Storage of materials - Cement < 68 >
• Kept dry
• Prevent contamination that will have an adverse
effect on the performance of the concrete
• Prevent uncontrolled intermingling or mixing of
different types of constituents
Mixing Equipment – Uniformity of Mixing < 69 >

Batch Mixers are designed to:

• uniformly distribute ingredients throughout the volume of mixed concrete
with the minimum mixing time or number of revolutions necessary.
• have variable speed for mixing, discharging and agitating
• have a rated mixing capacity not more than 65% of the gross internal
volume of the mixing chamber unless proven otherwise
Concrete Placement < 70 >
The main objective in placing, is to deposit the concrete as
close as possible to its final position as quickly and
efficiently as you can, so that segregation is avoided and it
can be fully compacted.

Workability considerations

☞ type of structural members (slab, column,

etc.)
☞ size & geometry of formwork
☞ density, size & spacing of reinforcement
☞ type of placement equipment
Concrete Placement - methods < 71 >
Barrow
Chute
Crane and kibble
Pump Barrow
Tremie
Slip-form

Cran
e
Chute

Tremi
e
Pump
 Concrete Placement - methods < 72 >
Barrow
• free fall of concrete should not exceed 2m without
Chute
additional end controls
Crane and
kibble Pump • ideal for: strip footings, floor slabs, road pavements
Tremie
Slip-form

Chute
✅
Concrete Placement - methods < 73 >
Barrow
Chute
Crane and kibble
Pump
Tremie
Slip-form

• versatile—place concrete
vertically/horizontally
• up to 200 m height, 1000 m horizontal
• require little space
• continuous distribution ( → no cold joints)
• low labour required
• short set-up time
Compaction < 74 >
Concrete is compacted to:
• remove voids in concrete (5% voids lower strength by as much as 30%)
• complete contact between concrete and the formwork and the surface of
reinforcing steel
• make fresh concrete conform to the formwork
entrapped air bubbles
 < 75 >
COMPACTION: EFFECTS OF VOIDS

50%

↑ compaction = less voids = ↑ strength

Types of Compaction < 76 >
• immersion vibrators: also known as internal/poker/needle vibrator
• surface vibrators
• formwork (external) vibration
• ‘self-compacted’ concrete
• manual compaction: rodding, ramming, tamping

external vibrator

surface vibrator
internal vibrator
 Roller compacted concrete (RCC) < 77 >
• RCC takes its name from the construction method used to build it
• RCC has the same basic ingredient as conventional concrete
• Unlike conventional concrete, it's a drier mix—stiff enough to be compacted by
vibratory rollers
• RCC: the most important development in concrete dam and pavement technology.
 Screening (strike off) < 78 >

The process of cutting off excess concrete to bring the top surface of

a slab to proper grade
 < 79 >
Summary
• understand relevant hardened properties of concrete
— isotropic material: Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio
— creep: time-dependent behaviour
— shrinkage:
* drying shrinkage: loss of water → reduction in volume
* thermal shrinkage: temperature drops → reduction in
volume
• properties of concrete in AS3600 Concrete Structures
• methods used in AS3600 to estimate some concrete properties
 < 80 >
Survey Announcement
 < 81 >
Test 1 Announcement
• Test 1 on practical class of week 5: Friday, 23 Aug 2022, 5 PM

• Closed book, formula sheets will be given

• The contents of concrete technology from week 1 to week 4

• The solution of week 4 worksheets will be uploaded on Moodle next Monday.

 < 82 >
LAB Classes
❑ Please read the safety instructions carefully in Concrete
Laboratory Classes (Clayton) before you attend the Concrete
Laboratory Classes.

❑ No Safety Footwear and Glasses, No Lab Classes

❑ Correct your calculation of week 2 concrete mix design before the

class

❑ Please be punctual and attend the concrete laboratory class

 < 83 >

Capping of specimens:

Please watch the following videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ferJ1OncnQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UCoYGfPLoo – Sulphur Capping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy9jGoSwgik – Gypsum capping