CHAPTER - 4

COLLECTION OF MATERIAL

4.1 CEMENT
Cement can be defined as the bonding material having cohesive and adhesive
properties which makes it capable to unit the different construction material and form
the compacted assembly. The name of Portland cement was given by Joseph Aspdin
in 1824 due to its similarity in colour and its quality when it hardens like Portland
stone. Portland stone is white grey lime stone in island of Portland, Dorset. It consist
of two main constituents viz., argillaceous materials main ingredient is calcium
carbonate. Various constituents (ingredients) of an Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
are: CaO (Lime) - 62%, SiO2 (Silica) 22%, Al2O3 (Alumina) 5%, Calcium
Sulphate 4%, Fe2O3 (Iron Oxide) 37%, MgO (Magnesium Oxide) 2%, SO3
(Sulphur Trioxide) 1% and Alkalis- 1%
ASTM C 150 defines Portland cement as hydraulic cement (Cement that not
only hardens by reacting with water but also forms a water resistant product)
produced by pulverizing one or more of the forms of calcium sulphate as on inter
ground addition.
Ordinary Portland Cement(OPC) of 43 grade obtained from Dalmia Cement
Manufacturing Company of India conforming to Indian Standard was received and
used.

4.2 FINE AGGREGATE AND COARSE AGGREGATE

The local availability of river sand and quarry stone or granite stones are used
in this study and its properties are conformed by using Indian standard code. Fine
aggregates can be natural or manufactured. The maximum size is less than 4.75 mm.
Coarse aggregate is generally limited to 20mm. the aggregate of size 12 to 20 mm is
desirable for structure having congested for reinforcement. Wherever possible size of
aggregate higher than 20 mm could be used. Well graded cubical or angular
aggregate are desirable.
4.3 CORNCOB ASH
The CCA used was produced by grinding dried corn cobs and to reduce the
carbon content which affects the pozzolanic properties of the CCA. The ground cobs
were burnt in open air using a local blacksmith furnace that uses charcoal as fuel. The
burning was continuous with the temperature increasing to 650 C in about 4 hours in
muffle furnace. The CCA blended cement used was produced in the controlled
environment of a factory as reported by CCA was as partial replacement for clinker
during cement production in the factory.

4.4 WATER
Water is an important ingredient of concrete. The PH value between 6 to 8, the
water is suitable. The mixing of water should be portable without impurities.