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Introduction
Since the long-term properties of hardened concrete: strength, volume stability, and durability are seriously affected by its degree of compaction, it is vital that the consistency or workability of the fresh concrete be such that the concrete can be: - properly compacted, - transported, - placed, and - finished sufficiently easily without segregation, which would be detrimental (harmful or unfavorable) to such compaction
Workability
The strict definition of workability is the amount of useful internal work necessary to produce full compaction (ease of placing and consolidating freshly mixed concrete) Wet concretes are more workable than dry concretes, but concretes of the same consistency (consistency refers to the ease with which the concrete will flow) may vary in workability
Workability
Compression is expressed as a density ratio [a ratio of actual density of a given concrete (partially compacted) to the density of full compaction]
Strength Ratio = Strength of Partially Compacted Concrete Strength of Fully Compacted Concrete
Because the strength of concrete is adversely and significantly affected by the presence of voids in the compacted mass, it is vital to achieve a maximum density. This requires a sufficient workability for virtually full compaction to be possible using a reasonable amount of work under the given conditions
Workability
It is obvious that the presence of voids in concrete reduces the density and greatly reduces the strength: (5% of voids can lower the strength as much as 30%) Types of voids in hardened concrete: 1) Bubbles of entrapped air 2) Spaces left after excess water has been removed Voids may be useful to prevent freezing and thawing of water in concrete and they depend on the degree of compaction