MATS-1028

CONSTRUCTION METHODS
AND MATERIALS

Unit #2
Concrete Components & Properties
This unit...
• Concrete Introduction 
• Concrete Components & Properties
• Common Tests and Testing Procedures
• Concrete Placing Techniques
• Concrete Finishing and Curing
• Below Grade Concrete Formwork
Concrete
• From the Latin ‘Concretus’ meaning
• “grown together”

https://www.anchorconcrete.com /
Concrete Basics
Concrete is:
“…a solid, hard material produced by combining
in proper proportions portland cement, coarse
and fine aggregates and water.
The chemical reaction between the cement and
water produces heat and a hardening of the
mass.”
Spence, William P., Construction Materials Methods and Techniques
Basic Components
Concrete
Aggregates Paste

Coarse Fine Water Cement

Aggregate Aggregate
Aggregates:
• Coarse Aggregate…
• Gravel and or…
• Crushed Stone
• Fine Aggregate…
• Sands
• Typically …
• “Well Graded”
• Between 3/8” to ¾”
Mix Design
• Size of aggregate in the mix is
influenced by the mix design…
• The mix design is influenced by…
• See figure 21.12 in text book (pg 515)
Size of Aggregate (Gravel)…
• Influences mix design …
• Mix design is the recipe/blend of the
ingredients a specific batch of concrete
• Concrete must be batched to meet the
projects structural specifications
• See figure 21.13 in text book (pg 516)
Paste
Water
• Must typically be
Potable
• Potable means:
• “clean enough to
drink or drinkable”

http://utilitycontractoronline.com/workers-must-stay-hydrated/
…and Portland Cement
Cement (the glue)
• Or “binder”
• Consists of
• Ground Limestone
• Sand
• Clay

https://www.ccanz.org.nz/page/Cements.aspx
…and Pozzolans
• Lime accounts for up to 25%
of the hydrated Portland
cement, but does not
contribute to concrete’s
strength or durability.
Pozzolans are added to the
cement to produce additional
calcium silicate hydrate, the
• Left to right Class C fly ash,
material responsible for Metakaolin, Silica Fume, Class F
holding concrete together, by fly ash, Slag, Calcined Shale
consuming this excess lime. (Portland Cement Association)

http://www.concretecountertopinstitute.com/blog/2011/10/the-use-of-
pozzolans-in-concrete/
Therefore Modern Cement Paste =

Water + Portland Cement +Pozzolans

http://utilitycontractoronline.com/workers-must-stay-hydrated/
Cement
• From the Latin ‘Caementum’ meaning
• “chipping or rough stone”

https://www.ancient.eu/Pantheon/
Portland Cement
• Experiments in cement led to a major
development which occurred in 1824
• Joseph Aspdin of Leeds
• Made from a mixture of clay and limestone,
which had been crushed and fired in a kiln
Portland Cement
• Named after the colour of the stone
found on the Isle of Portland, England

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_stone#/media/
File:PortlandQuarry.jpg
Making Portland Cement:
• Cementitious materials (Limestone, Clay)
are crushed and mixed together
• Fired at high temperatures (about 1400°C
or 2700°F)
• Forms into “Clinker”
• Gypsum (calcium sulphate dihydrate)
added which helps delay set
• Product is ground fine
Chemical Composition of
Modern Portland Cement
• 60 – 66% Lime
• 19 – 25% Silica (sand)
• 3 – 8% Alumina (clay)
• 1 – 5% Iron
• 0 – 5% Magnesia
• 1 – 3% Sulfur Trioxide
Types of Portland Cement
• Type I (US) 10 (CAN)
• Normal
• General purpose cement

https://eurotoolhirewalsall.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cement-mixer.jpg
Types of Portland Cement
• Type II (US) 20 (CAN)
• Moderate
• Hydrates at a slower rate
• Used when concrete needs to retain
workability for a longer period (warm
weather work for example)
Types of Portland Cement
• Type III (US) 30 (CAN)
• High Early Strength
• Hydrates more quickly
• Used when concrete needs to set more
quickly (cold weather work for example)
Types of Portland Cement
• Type IV (US) 40 (CAN)
• Low Heat of Hydration
• Reduces the heat naturally produced by
hydration
• Good for massive structures where high heat
may impede concrete strength
• Causes concrete to cure more slowly
Types of Portland Cement
• Type V (US) 50 (CAN)
• Sulfate Resisting
• High resistance to naturally occurring
sulfates carried by groundwater or soils
Types of Portland Cement
• Type White
• White Portland
• Darker components are selectively
removed from the cement making
process
• Creates a white concrete for
architectural purposes, grouts etc…
• From Embro Ontario…
https://www.bing.com/images/search?
view=detailV2&ccid=RhUPjaz3&id=116D109FE9D59E965A323EA799CC15EDDCF1139A&thid=
OIP.RhUPjaz3Gl1gQL5lAIvlFAHaGQ&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.federalwhitecement.com
%2fhome_white_cement.jpg&exph=284&expw=336&q=federal+white+cement&simid=60804144
3305194053&selectedIndex=1&ajaxhist=0
 Types of Portland Cement
• Types I, II, III A
• Air Entrained
• More air than is naturally occurring is added
to the concrete to produce microscopic air
pockets in the mix
• Resists the freeze thaw cycle of exposed
concrete
http://www.unitedequipmentsales.com/
ConstructionNewsBlog/air-placed-concrete/
Other Types of Cement…
• Masonry – mortar (next unit)
• Plastic Cements – stucco, plaster
• Expansive Cements – expands to offset
natural shrinkage
• Regulated Set Cements – grouts,
toppings
Concrete Proportioning
• Mix design is complicated, depending on
many variables including type of
aggregate, moisture and bulk factors…
• Because of this, volume proportioning
has been replaced by mass
proportioning
Volume proportioning
• Mix designs were based on ratios:
• Cement to sand to aggregate
• 1: 1.5: 3 or 1: 2: 4 or 1: 3: 5
• But this didn’t necessarily account for:
• Bulking of sand
• Moisture present in sand
• Variations in aggregate weight/mass
Graphically, by Volume…
Mass Proportioning
• …depends on mass of components
• Cement weighs about 94 lbs/c.f.
• Sand weighs between 60 - 100 lbs/c.f.
depending on type and moisture
• Crushed stone weighs about 100 lbs/c.f.
depending on the aggregate
• Water weighs 62.4 lbs/c.f.
Example : A Weak 15MPa 1:2:4 Mix With
a High Slump…
• 1 c.f. or 94 lbs of Portland Cement
• 200 lbs sand
• 376 lbs crushed stone
• 0.82 water/cement ratio
• So…94 x.82 = 77 lbs (or 1.25 cf) water
Concrete Batching…
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Aqq
3a0GTjY
Water Cement Ratio
• The water to cement ratio completes the
mix design…

http://www.mapleconcretepumping.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/
concrete-and-water.jpg
Mix Design Influences…
Placeability
• Workability, cohesiveness, moldability
Consistency
• Slump
Strength
• Compressive force resistance
Durability
• Ability to withstand wear and tear
Real Mix Design Samples
To FOL….
Relationship Between Strength And
Water/Cement Ratio
28 Day Compressive Water/Cement Ratio by Mass
Strength psi (MPa)

6000 (42 MPa) .41

5000 (34 MPa) .48

4000 (28 MPa) .57

3000 (20 MPa) .68

2000 (14 MPa) .82

Hydration
• Curing occurs through Hydration
• Hydration is the chemical reaction that
occurs between water and cement to form a
solid bond between the aggregate particles
• Curing requires water so evaporation and
absorption of water can be detrimental to
the strength outcome!
Concrete Strength Over Time

http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1101/notes/concrete/section_3_properties.html
Finish and Curing Affect
• Durability

https://concretetoolreviews.com/4-steps-to-prevent-concrete-spalling/
Next topics:
•Testing for:
• Slump
• Strength
• Air entrainment
• Placing, Finishing, Curing, Forming,
Reinforcing…
Recommended Reading
Textbook, Chapter 21:
• Pages 506 – 521 and
• Pages 526 – 528
OGCA Best Practices Guide For Concrete
Construction:
• Chapter 3
End