FACTOR AFFECTING WORKABILITY

AND STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

GONZALES, MEL HARVEY A.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DLSU
 WORKABILITY
A general term to describe the properties of fresh
concrete.
• Consistency (or fluidity)
--describes the ease of concrete flow
• Cohesiveness
--describes the ability to keep concrete uniformity
(no concentration of a single component)
• Homogeneity
refers to stable distribution of cement, aggregate,
and water and resistance to segregation
 Workability
-Factors Affecting
Workability: Water Content
• Extra water can lubricate the particles in mixture:
the more the water, the easier the flowing.
However, too much water will cause segregation

• W/C increase

• Fluidity increase
 Workability
-Factors Affecting
Workability: Aggregate

• Aggregate/cement ratio
• �Fine aggregate/Coarse aggregate
• �Maximum aggregate size
• �Aggregate shape and texture
 Workability
-Factors Affecting
Workability: Cement

• Fineness
Fluidity decrease
With fineness increase
• �Cement Content: Lubrication
effect of paste
 Workability
-Factors Affecting
Workability: Admixtures
• Air entraining agent

• -Pozzolanic admixtures

• Superplasticizers

• --release water; retarding, air entraining

effect
 Workability
-Factors Affecting
Workability: Temperature
• Can influence the hydration rate and
water loosing rate
• Temperature increase
• Workability decrease
 SLUMP TEST

Measures workability
 RHEOMETER

measures yield stress and plastic

viscosity
 FACTOR AFFECTING
STRENGTH
• CONCRETE POROSITY

• WATER CEMENT RATIO

• SOUNDNESS OF THE AGGREGATE

• AGGREGATE – PASTE BOND

 DUCTAL
• is an innovative technology which covers a family
of ultra-high performance concretes with exceptional
characteristics in terms of mechanical resistance
(compressive strengths up to 200 MPa, flexural tensile
strength beyond 40 MPa), durability, abrasion resistance,
and resistance against chemical and environmental attack
(freeze and thaw, salt water, etc.).
•      This new technology permits the development of
innovative solutions which are competitive, offer faster
construction, require less maintenance, and have a
reduced impact on the environment.
 DUCTAL
• it is significantly stronger than normal
concrete. Compressive strengths range
between 20,000 to 30,000 psi (150 to
200 MPa) compared to 3,000 to 7,000 psi
(20 to 50 MPa) for normal concrete and
flexural strengths range between 3,000
to 7,000 psi compared to 500 to 1,000 psi
(3 to 7 MPa) for normal concrete.
 REFERENCES:
• WORKABILITY AND QUALITY
CONTROL OF CONCRETE BY : G. H.
TATTERSALL
• M. Lepech and V.C. Li, "Bridge Decks
in Michigan Go Jointless" in Civil &
Environmental Engineering
Newsletter for Alumni and Friends,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,