CE 308

Plain and Reinforced Concrete I

Mixing, Handling and Placing of Concrete

Dr. Wasim
Khaliq

Sequence
Processes
Storage
Batching
Mixing
Transporting
Placing
Compaction
Finishing
Curing

Ref: ACI 304R-89

Methods, Techniques, Critical Steps, Tips

Storage Aggregate
Coarse and Fine Aggregate
Moisture Control is very important
In case of washed/wet aggregate, drain the excess
water before movement to bins/storage areas
Stockpile various sizes at various dumps
Drop aggregate vertically if piling mechanically

Storage Cement

Cement/Pozzolans
Water Tight and Properly Ventilated Areas
Bulk
Silos

Bags
Piles/Layers
Temporary < 60 days (Max = 14 layers)
Permanent > 60 days (Max = 7 layers)

Admixtures
Treat the powder types as cement
For liquid ones, avoid evaporation and freezing

Batching
Batching involves preparing the constituents of
the concrete in the correct proportions
according to the mix design.
Two types
Volume Batching
0.3X0.3X0.4 m
Weigh Batching

Weight of 1 bag of cement = ?

50 kg
Volume of 1 bag of Cement = ?
1.27 ft3 (0.036 m3)

Mixing
Mixing Types
Hand (10% extra cement)
Mechanical
1. Mobile (Drum-Type)
Titling
Non-Tilting
Horizontal (reversing)

Small Jobs

2. Transit (Truck Type)

3. Fixed & Mobile
Pan Types

Mixing/Feeding Sequence
Mixing Time

Small and Big Jobs

Mixing
Mobile Transit (Trucks)

Two sets of opposed mixing spirals

Capacity = 4-12m3

Mixing

Feeding Sequence

25% water
50% coarse aggregate
50% fine aggregate
100% cement
50% coarse aggregate
50% fine aggregate
75% water

Start of Mixing Time

Mixing Time - Concept

Minimum Time

1 minute for 3/4m3 plus 1/4 minute for each additional m3

Transportation

Loading Concrete

Pans
Wheel Barrows
Buckets
Skip and Hoist
Trucks

Transportation

Pans
More surface area is exposed, more evaporation
easy placement above or below ground without
segregation
very small jobs only
slow and expensive method

Wheel Barrows
Chances of segregation: pneumatic wheels, wooden planks
pathway
Ground level only
small jobs, small hauls, and over muddy ground

Transportation

Buckets
Cable operated Upper floors
Crane-assisted for Mass
Concreting

Trucks
Long Hauls
Agitation

Placing

Pans
Wheel Barrows
Chutes
Conveyor Belts
Buckets
Pumps

Placing

Preparations
Surface should not be Wet nor Dry
Damp ?

Placing - Horizontal Members

Direction of Placement

Placing - Vertical Members

Placing

Sloping Surface

Placing - Pumping
400 m Horizontal
80 m Height
15-150 m3/hour

Placing

Concreting Underwater
Buckets
Tremie Pipe

Placing

Rules

Drop Height < 1.5m

Throw Concrete on already placed fresh Concrete
Start at the far end and work to the near end.
On a slope use stiffer concrete and work up the slope
In vertical members, use differential slump
Use Tremie method for underwater concreting

Compaction

Hand - Sequence
Spread the concrete using a short-handled, square ended
spades or shovels; never use vibrating poker to spread the
concrete
Use Rods and Spades to compact (consolidate) the concrete
along edges of the formwork
Use Screed (wood or metal straightedge) to strike off and
level the concrete

Compaction

Mechanical-Sequence
Spread the concrete using square ended spades or shovels;
never use vibrating poker to spread the concrete
Use vibratory pokers for compaction / consolidation

Types
Internal
External

Compaction

Sequence
Spacing=0.5-1.0m
5-30secs
2min for stiffer ones

Compaction

External Vibrators

For very complex formwork and reinforcement

For Precast plants
Compaction of Thin Layers only
Watch for over vibration

Compaction

Rules

How do you know that compaction is complete??

No more Air bubbles rising (<1% voids)
No Honeycombing and No mortar collection
Vertical - not more than 10 Angle
Compaction around rebars is very important, any air or
water left there will induce early corrosion
Dont touch rebars and formwork
Gradual Withdrawal to close the holes
Re-vibration ?

Improperly consolidated Concrete

Finishing

Sequence

Correction of Defects!
Float
Wait for Bleeding
Edge
Joint
Trowel
Texture

Finishing

Floating

Start as soon as struck off

Wood or Magnesium
One or two passes
Never seal the surface
Never use steel trowel
Finish before bleeding starts

Bull Float

Finishing

Wait for Bleeding!

All the sheen (shine) is gone

Dusting, Crazing, Scaling, and Blisters
Watch for high evaporation rate
Delamination

General Rule
Never Sprinkle Cement or Water while Finishing!!