\ Water. a 34. INTRODUCTION Quality and quantity of ingredients governs the strength of concrete. (WIC) is one of the most important factor to be manufacturing concrete. It is very true that more the quantity of of concrete mix (ie, rich conerete always have more strength than it must be understood that amount of water added equally plays a vital Water is added in concrete mix for hydration of cei water leads to harsh concrete mix where as excess of the factors adversely affects the strength of concrete. Significance of water to cement ratio has been understood by very few concrete tained at the desired level even while maintaining important to note here that workability can be main Strict control over the ow WC. In simple words, Cement Ratio Sea _ Water to cement ratio specified, controlled and insisted upon while f cement, more will be the strength ean mixes) but simultaneously role in attaining the strength. meat and workability. Insufficient quantity of f water causes bleeding and segregation, Both producers. It is if water is required to be increased, cement should also be increased such that specified W/C ratio remains constant. ese es 73.2. WATER CEMENT RATIO is the ratio of weight of water in concrete mi eight of cement added. Mathematically, Water Cement Ratio = Weigl It is generally expressed in litres of water requi For example, if W/C ratio is cement is 20 kg (i.e., 04 x 50 = Note’: For calculating w: iti face dry condition: Tn case the above condition is wuality of water is made and the ef Relation between water cement ratio and compt understood from the relation given by Duff Tatio of water to cement and not the amount of determines the strength of concrete! 83 ffective water is taken for calculating water-cement ral ATER CEMENT RATIO AND COMPRESSIVE ix (excluding the water absorbed by aggregates) red per bag (50.kg) of cement. | specified as 0-4, the weight of water required per bag (50 ke) of 20) or approximately 20 litres. rater cement ratio, it is assumed thatthe aggregates: are not satisfied, then’ the necessary adjustment ressive strength of coricrete mix can be well (1918) that under certain conditions, it is the cement, alone in a given concrete mix that“S 84// concrete Technology ‘inst crushi: Compressive strength of concrete is the resistance of the concrese 4860001 CASHIN. Throyy, extensive studies, it has been made clear that the compressive SUeDE! eat the é : . nngth of concret increase in water cement ratio. Graphically the relationship between Su°ne ne aNd Water 5 i 3.1. Graph is plotted be Cement-ratio-is-upproximately hyperbolic in shape as shown in Fig. i ‘Ween, water cement ratio (by weight) as axis and compressive strength (at 28 days of curing) as y-axis" 600 1 1 = SS se | ‘ strength Curve ES 400 =o a gz ’ & © 300 8 200 5 S400 7 9 oo 02 04 06 08 10 12 Water Gement Ratio (By Weight) g | ‘Hand Compaction 33| ge if és| / Fully SS] } Compacted ‘: ge) |} Concrete S| '<—Insutficienty g 1 Compacted Concrete Water - Cement Ratio—» 1 Fig. 3.1. Relationship between strength of concrete and WIC ratio. From Fig. 3.1; 7 — It can be seen that lower WIC ratio is required when the ix is: mechanical 77 * Noprated to achieve higher strengths, Sonerete mix 1 2, Whereas higher W/C ratio is required when the concrete In case the WIC ratio is less than 0-45, the curve is seen bending downwards. THs indicates that the concrete mix, saving WiC is less than 0-45 by ‘welghe is not worksble results in honey-comb structure, Hence, the strength decrease 3 that by using mechanical vit ait th cé 4 ted-curve shows that by using ical vibrators, good and streng! be achieved even with WIC rao less than 0-45 subjected to ‘minima of 0:35. mix is hand compacted. cWater Cement Ratio /85 = —e- od ee ET ‘Thus, WIC ratio acts as a yardstick to obtai = . — " is also an indicator pa fin concrete of desired strength. It is also an in salt oat or gates Compressive strength and water cement ratio can be well understood with the help of charts prepared by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). Fig. 3.2 shows relationship between compressive strength and water cement ratio of Ordinary Portland Cement = 0 é ) = 50 7153 Grade OPC : f 8/40 1-43 Grade OPC| a £ L. G | 20 38 Grade OPC é & § | 20 8 & 10 & g o! 0.30 0.35 040 045 05 0.55 0.60 0.65 ‘Water-Cement Ratio ——> s 8 8 $ 28 Days Compressive Strength kg/cm? 8 Ga 05 06 07 08 09 1.0 Water Cement Ratio By Weight in Fig, 9.2. Design Curve for Cement-Concrete Mixes In Relation to + Day's Compressive Strength of Cement (IRC : 44-1972)86 / concrete Technology ae ee tely 25 percent of water by Mass A cement of average composition requires nd water is Known as hydrajon'™ chemical reactions. The chemical reaction betw' ores. The total amount of yay ded to fill the gel Ps | approxima! | cement. iti i is i | | It. In addition, an amount of water is nee fil the get pores is 42 percent, But in case of hig, | | een cement @ therefore, needed for chemical reaction and to 0-40 is quite common because jt strength io of less than Sn igth structural concretes water cement ratio hhould be saturated. / mt necessary that for the process of hydration, the gel pores $ 2 (S15, CHEMICAL REACTION BETWEEN CEMENT ‘AND WATER cat are tricalcium silicate (C38), dicaliag Four-itportant final compounds present in cem' E ; silicate (CS). tricalcium aluminate (CoA) and tetracalium alumino ferrite (CAF). They reg iy presence of water. The chemical reactions are given below : C38 + H,0 —> Hydrated Tricalci CS + H,O —> Hydrated Calcium Silicate + Ca(OH), C3A + HyO —> Hydrated Tricalcium Aluminate + Ca(OH), From the above reactions ; we can conclude that ; Lona the above three reactions, excess lime is released as Ca(OH), and the hydrated calcium silicate is the gel like structure. 2, -PAE two silicates, namely C3S and CS, which together constitutes about 70-80% of the cement control the most of the strength giving properties. Compound C3A is the most active and react first with water. The reaction of C3 with water is essentially responsible for the initial setting of cement. ee of chemical reaction of C3S is slower than C3A, but faster than C2S. um Silicate + Ca(OH); ~ 3 a 8 3S Compressive Strength, Nimm2 & i 7 28 90° 180 Age Days 1 Fig. 3.3. Contribution of Cement Compounds to The Strength of Cement. of Cement.nt Ratio / 87 Water Cement f sees a 5,Reaction ee isi responsible for the development of strength for the first 28 days. Higher percentage of C3 results in rapid hardening with an early gain in strength at a higher rate of generation, 5B reacts slowly and reactions continues for years. It helps for gaining ultimate strength of concrete. A higher percentage of CzS results in slow hardening, less heat of generation and greater resistance to chemical attack, 4_2AAF hydrates quickly but its individual contribution to the overall strength of cement IS insignificant. STRENGTH OF CONCRETE WITH AGE From Fig. 3.3, it is clear that the strength of concrete goes on increasing with age but development of strength at first 28 days is about 25% of the ultimate strength after one year. mngth for comparing the Therefore, the 28 days of strength Of concrete is taken as standard stre! concrete mix strength. All the designs are based upon 28 days strength of concrete. ING AND HARDENING OF CEMENT ‘adually becomes plastic and finally a Cement when mixed with water forms slurry which gré hard mass is obtained. During the process of setting, a stage is reached when the cement paste is sufficiently rigid to withstand some definite amount of pressure. a of water to reach this stage is known as setting time. The ‘The time counted from the additio nal setting time. seting time is divided into two parts, namely the initial and the f ‘The time at which the cement paste losses its plasticity is termed as initial setting time. The time taken to attain the stage when the paste becomes hard mass is known as the final setting time. Hardening jr‘the phenomenon by which the weak set paste develops strength. 1. Importance of Setting Time : For proper concreting, it is important that the initial setting time be sufficiently long for placing, compaction and finishing of concrete. For an finishing the operations i.¢., transportation, ordinary portland cement, the initial setting time ‘should not be less than 30 minutes and final setting time should not be more than 600 minutes (/-e., 10 hours), calculating the time required for the removal of formwork. The setting time types of cements are given in Table 3.1. Setting helps in specified for various88 / co, / Nerete Technology Portland-poro- Portang lag tana cement ceneyn Mag Lowe port eee ee aaa tng portand . 7 3000 2959 vite surtace 7 3500 on ‘hin, 2350 3250 5200 ing time Anita setting time, n 30 20 30 minutes, min, 30 30 6 Finat setting time, st 600 i 600 minutes, max, 600 600 mr 105) 10 Maxi i ( 6) Geie 10st 10) 100) wR (ram) : 08 08 Autoclave method 08 08 08 ee = 65. -. i = < 5s = = id = 16 - oe s 2 16 275 10 23 ~ 16 2 - 16, 33 22 2 28 days = ~ 35 43 31 - ir er cent) * for aerated sample . Q3.7.2. Effect of Temperature on Setting Time ; Z__In general practice, the length of time for Which a concrete mix will remain plastic is usually more dependent on the amount of water used and es. The tem, atmospheric temperature, The setting process is accompanied by temperature change Iperature Peak value at the final setting. The setting time decre, and vice-versa. ) © Tises rapidly from the initial setting t0 2 ases with the rise in temperature upto 30°C Strength of concrete is dependent Upon the physical struc tent z ictures of hydi nt. The ex of hydration of cement and the Tesultant micro Structure of hydrated ce i se pli Propertiés of concrete, When the rement comes in con t With water, thy nflunoes ape Proceeds both inward and outward in the sense that the hydration peat le hydra ‘ted on Outer periphery and the nucleus of the unhydrated cement j Products get deposi 'nside gets gradually diminished in VolU™®TPO i eds - wi i se reaction proceeds slowly for 2.5 mas = ater Cement Ratio / a9 apse 8 breaks. 12:5 hours (called induc tion period) before accelerating as the any stage of hydration, the ceme ration having large surface Nt paste consis ‘ area collecti wi calcium hydroxide Ca(OH), and rel int ‘the effect of various water cement ratios a ed oaths Tatios on the physical structure of hydrated cement can be a of gel (a finely grained product of led gel), besides the residue of unreacted Table 3.2. Hi 'ydration of Cement with Different W.C. Ratios Before After Remarks/Effeet Unhydrated , Gel ca Water ment cement Formation Low W.C. Ratio (incomplete hydration) Hydration ae Complete Ga remain Sufficient W.C. ratio (full hydration and complete gel Hydration formation) = Gel Formation, Hydration Excess W.C. ratio - (fully hydration and complete get formation but formation ‘ of capillary pores) Caplllary Pores During hydration, gel is formed and space previously occupied by water is occupied by cement gel. Following three cases shows the effect of quantity of water on strength of concrete. _O Case L-Hydration of cement with insufficient water cement ratio : When water cement ratio is insufficient, the hydration of each cement particle does not take place fully. ‘Thus producing weak physical structite of hydrated cement and thus the strength of Concrete is reduced. with just sufficient water cement ratio O Case 11. Hydration of cement n the water added to cement is just sufficient then each and every particle gets hydrated Previously occupied by water and as a result there are no and the ies all the space cement gel occupies ee eng. Pores, This type of stage gives maximum| : eee | 90/ concrete Technology —" Sn Fic Aili aaags than required water cement ra 0 Case IIT. Hydration of cement with water ae an guid for complete Iyeatigg: When water added to cement concrete is more than a eertain space in concrete. This free Be when full hydration takes place, the free water occupies ny thus formed is porous in nature, 7 at gets evaporated hence leaving behind pores: ‘The conerel * Which reduces the strength of concrete. 5) 3.9. WATER CEMENT RATIO LAW (Duff Ab | Tn 1918, extensive studies were done by Duff ‘bah : Illinois and a relation between water cement ratio and strength © known as Duff Abrahms Rule or Water Cement Ratio Law: : a hs ‘This law states that “with given ingredients of conerete and testing co Aetna of water used for mixing alone determines the strength of concrete, as JOn& ixture is of workable plasticity.” According to We above statement, the streng' ete wholly depends upon the amoun: of water used in preparing the concrete mix and is independent of the ‘quantity of cement nixed fr making concrete of workable plasticity. jt was only thereafter that wic ratio started gaining importance as many properties of hardened concrete are influenced by this ratio. Duff Abrahm gave the following relat ang the compressive strength of concrete in terms of W/C ratio : rahm’s Rule) T the Levis Institute, University 5, f concrete was developed, This th of conc! where, $= Compressive stre ? after 28 days of curing. x = Water-cement ratio by volume The above relation clearly shows that when she concrete is completely compacted, its strength is inversely proportional to W/C ratio. In future, the term W/C ratio is likely to disappear from concrete technology as in concrete mixes besides use of cement, many types of cementitious materials like Fly ash, ground granulate! blast furnace slag, silica fume, rice husk ash and even fillers are also added to improv ¥ durability of concrete specially in severe environments. Hence, this ratio will now be known & (water to cementitious material ratio (j.e., W/CM) or water to binder ratio (i.e., W/B). Qa Limitations of WIC ratio law : ‘Water-cement ratio law is valid only under following conditions : 1, The internal moisture condition of hydration of cement continues till the concrete gail sl internal moisture conditions of the concrete specimen should be The concrete specimens are cured under standard temperatures, + “he concrete specimens should be of same size, ‘ \ ; Specimens should be of same age. ake on : dl__ a. 2 men Water Cement Ratio / 94 E a 1.892. Effect of water-cement ratio law on strength of concrete : pe effect of the above mentioned eonuttions are disc = d bel feat of ater-cement ratios on hydration of cement: efop full strength of concrete, i isin ; Fejnce. For this purpose the quantity of inert aeementisFequiTed. Het norease in strength of concrete takes 5 ven the concrete is allowed to dry the eaerete moist 28 long as possible a pater, ty a process known as curing, in order to ci e strei ; 1. i Hence, in \ ney the strength of concrete, the internal moisture conditions should be kept uniform ly then the W/C ratio law is valid. ‘@f temperature on hydration : ‘Temperature plays a vital role in attaining the strength of a contre mix. Harmful effects occur at both low and high temperatures. ‘The rate of curing changes with change in temperature. At low temperatures the hydration rate slows down ‘and at high temperature it becomes fast. Faster chemical reactions results in rapid crystal and get formation. But the rapid crystal than produced Causes poor physical structure of gel. The gel so formed is porous in nature U fradualy at low temperature and hence gives less strength later on. ‘The ideal temperature ranges from 27° 3° C. Theretar®, compare the strength with relation tp WIC ratio the concrete specimens to be compared should be cured at the constant temperature. mn strength of concrete + Strength of concrete increases with a8. ‘Therefore, W/C ratio law is applicable only when re gonerete at the same age is compared: ‘As per IS specifications, 28 days strength is considered as standard for comparing strengths of concrete. 4, Bffect of size of specimen 0” ‘strength of concrete = Tt has been observed that for same mix proportions, smaller size specimen gives greater values of strength as compared to large sized specimens. For ‘comparison, the size of specimen should be same, As per IS specifications ‘concrete cube of 15 cm has been standardized for comparison of strengths. The cube strength of concrete js defined as the strength of concrete in kg/cm? of 15 cm size with specified W/C ratio which has been iiyred for 28 days at a temperature of 27 3°C. However, strength for a given W/C ratio may vary due to the following reasons * Jas maximum size, grading, surface texture, shape, strength and stiffness. 1 Shans iffaggregates suc oe of cements and their sources: 3. Disférent types of cementitions admixtures. ir content. ‘pet ‘and entrained ai : - Different types of chemical admixtures and their dosage. Leah of caring time and presence OF humidity around the structure. that complete hydration of cement partic sufficient 10 hydrate each and every particl as long as the drying of concrete is action ceases. Therefore, it is require ry pores saturated cher92/ Concrete Technology SRS cnn 1, All over the country on small, medium and even Control is done manually. If not strictly supervised or technical consideration. ~~ Let us Revise : a i ‘ on many large projects water adgiy er Sp cvition the water addition is done without ay" ® My ANY cay i ipulated limit AS a result of this W/C ratio most often exceeds the eee ny As good low strength concretes (20 MPa or 25 MPa) are specifies retes are easily achieved wig, Cements are available, strengths of these low grade concrete Tar hig, WIC ratios. This results in poor durability of reinforced cone! 7 i: luding the wat. 2. Water cement ratio is defined as weight of water in concrete mix (excluding the water abso, by aggregates) to the weight of concrete added. 3. Duff Abrahm (1918) stated that itis the ratio of water to cement and not the amount of corey alone in a given concrete mix that determines the strength of concrete. 4. Through extensive studies it has been shown that compressive strength of concrete decreases with increase in water cement ratio. 5. Coneretes with W/C ratios less than 0-40 are less workable and results in honey Combing, Where as higher W/C ratio is required when the concrete mix is hand compacted. 6. - WIC ratio acts as a yard stick to obtain concrete of desired strength. It is also an indicator for durability. A cement of average composition requires approximately 25% of water by mass for chemice! Teactions. The total amount of water, therefore needed for chemical reaction and to fill the gl pore is 42%. The relationship between compressive strength , With the help of charts prepared by CRRI. 9. The time counted from the addition of water to +e - definite pressure, is known as setting of cement, ~ Initial setting of OPC= 30 minutes - Final setting of OPC= 600 minutes 10,, Water in excess and below the desired W/C ratio shows adverse effects on strength of concrté “mix. apd water-cement ratio can be well understood ach the stage, where it can withstand « 11, Duff Abrahm’s Water Cement Ratio Law (1918) states that with given ingredients of concr® ; ter used for mixin, i Strength of onerete, as long as the mixture is of workable plasticity, = One “etermines the strenat ity. S= 948, 7 White: = Compressive strength of concrete in kg/em? ring. x = Water cemeat rao by ons after 28 days of cuWater Cement Ratio / 93 Ce Questions x3 iN THE BLANKS : = water-cement ratio is generally expressed in ‘water-cement — was evolved in the year by Higher wic ratio is required when the concrete mix is compacted. Relationship between compressive strength and W/C can be aed from 7 < {chemical reaction between cement and water is known as . tm eat which together constitutes 70-80% of cement nt controlling strength properties are Lo 1 ‘Strength of concrete goes on rs ‘Strength of concrete for . fp. setting time of orc is. i it setting time of OPC The phenomenon by which the weak set paste develops strength is called as ... 7 the phenomenon by which the plastic cement paste changes into a solid mass is known as with age. days is considered as standard. B ipercement ratio is .. proportional to compressive strength of concrete. : the size of concrete specimen increases the compressive strength ... is, with the increase in temperature, the chemical reaction becomes . . quantity of cement for a particular water-cement ratio. a The strength of concrete is independent of the quantity of water used. = of concrete increases with age. “WIC is expressed in litres of water per bag of The strength of concrete mix decreases as the size of specimen increases. of the strength of cement used. The strength of concrete is independent Concrete mix prepared with different W/C ratio will have same strength. " Higher WIC is required when concrete mix is hand compacted. water is C3A. jidered as standard. d final setting time is 10 hours. |The WIC ratio increases with the increase in quantity of cement. cement. % Compound of cement first to react with 10. strength of concrete for 28 days is cons Initial setting time of OPC is 30 minutes an94/¢ mien / oncrete Technology a ra osm 12. Insufficient water in concrete leads to harsh mix. ‘AB. More W/C leads to porous concrete mix. 14, The strength of conerete increases as the size of SP& 1S, Dutt Abrahm’s taw holds valid only when concrete 1S ¢ C. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS : 1, Duff Abrahm’s law was established in the year : (a) 1908 O18 (c) 1928 {a} 1938. 2. Water-Cement ratio is the ratio of : f specimen decreases. f workable plasticity. (@) Weight of water to weight of cement ' (6) Volume of concrete to volume of water (c¥ Weight of concrete to weight of water (d) None of these. 3. Water cement ratio is generally expressed as litres of water required for cement of weight - (@) 10 kg (b) 20 kg (0) 40 kg 8 kg. 4. With increase in the size of specimen of concrete, the compressive strength : (@) decreases (b) increases (c) remains same (d) None of these. _ The total amount of water required for hydration of cement and to fill the gel pore is : - (@) 32% AT 42% 1 (0) 52% (d) 62%. The most active compound of cement to Teact first with water is : (a) CS ©) Gs (CA @ CAR, _ Strength of concrete ; a) incresses-wtfi ze © © (0) remains same - Initial setting time for OPC is : (©) decreases with age (4) None of these, (a) 20 minutes (©) 30-rinutes (c) 40 minutes (d) 60 minites. | With increase in temperature, the chemical reaction: ? (a) becomes fast_—~ (9: emit game ©) becomes stow (c) remains @ None oF these,Water Cement Ratio : ese cement ratio law is valid only under following condition : | moisture condition is same ) Interna specimens are cured under standard temperatures i hould be of sami ; : (g Specimen and age |g Allof the above swels 4 FILL IN THE BLANKS : 1, litres per bag of cement 2. 1918, Duff Abrahm. 3. hand 4, CRRICharts 5. hydration of cement 6. C38, C28 7, increasing $28. 9. 30 minutes 10, 10 hours 11. hardening —*12. setting tpinversely 14. decreases 15, fast 16. less p. STATE TRUE OR FALSE : 4. False 2, False 3. True 4, True 5, True 6. False 7. False 8. True 9, True 10. True il. True 12. True 13. True 14, True 15. True ¢. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS : 1, @) 2. (a) 3. (d) 4. (a) 5. (0) 60. : 7. (a) 8. (0) 9. (a) 10. (@) A {0 State the importance of water cement ratio law. * Discuss the relationship between water cement ratio and compressive strength. 3. What do you mean by hydration of cement ? Discuss the significance of compounds of cements in gaining strength. _ Write short notes on : (a) Strength of concrete with age. " % ®) Setting and hardening of cement. (c) Importance of setting time. (d) Effect of temperature on setting time. Discuss the effects of various W/C ratios on s 'G. Discuss briefly the water-cement ratio Jaw. What are the limitations of W/C ratio law ? trength of concrete mix.