SCHOOL: DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF

TECHNOLOGY

COURSE: BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING MATERIALS II

TBD 3106

GROUP 4

JACKSON OTIENO T056-01-2144/22

DANIEL MUTHOMI T056-01-2129/22
HARON ETELEJ T056-01-2140/22
PATRICK KARONJI T056-01-2462/22
MESHACK WILLY T056-01-2119/22

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 CONCRETE STABILITY
The stability of concrete is key to ensuring the quality of building engineering while requiring its
flowability. Stability of fresh concrete is key to the durability of reinforced concrete structures
Segregation in Concrete
Segregation refers to the separation of the different materials that make up concrete. It occurs
when heavier materials settle down as the lighter cement and water remain on top. This affects
the strength of concrete.
Types of Segregation
1. Aggregates segregation
2. Cement slurry/Grout separation
Aggregate Separation; refers to when the coarse aggregates, which are heavier materials in a
concrete mix, settle at the bottom while the lighter constituents in a concrete mix remain on top.
This commonly occurs in poorly mixed concrete thus affecting the strength and functionality of
concrete in reinforced concrete structures.
Cement Slurry separation; happens when the water and cement separate as a result of poor
mixing of concrete and the use of the wrong water-cement ratio i.e when the water-cement ratio
is too high thus excess water moves the top along with it the fine aggregates
Factors that affect Segregation
1. Poor mixing proportions When the constituents of concrete mix are not evenly proportioned,
segregation will occur as seen earlier in grout/cement slurry segregation.
2. Mixing time when a concrete mix is not properly mixed, it can cause certain areas of the
concrete to have excess or less specific constituents of concrete resulting in separation
3. Water content in the mix high water content will weaken the concrete causing water to move
up during settlement after placing of concrete
4. Handling of concrete requires careful handling during mixing, transportation, and placing
otherwise when poorly managed, segregation may occur.
5. Poor consolidation methods during the placing of concrete will cause uneven distribution of
water-cement in the mixture thus causing segregation.
Effects of segregation on Concrete
1. Reduces the mechanical strength of concrete
2. Causes the formation of cracks after the concrete has hardened
3. It makes the structure more prone to corrosion attacks and leakage

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 BLEEDING IN CONCRETE
Bleeding in concrete occurs as a result of the settlement process in which the heavier particles
such as cement and water are pushed upwards by free water.
As the water is bled from the cement paste, the paste hardens. The water-cement ratio is one of
the key factors that affect the quality of bleed water. Cement type and fine aggregate also play
key roles in determining how much bleed will occur
Factors affecting concrete bleeding
1. Weather; During cold weather or windy days, the rate of concrete bleeding tends to increase
2. Mix design and uneven proportioning of the concrete ingredient will cause bleeding for
example when the water-cement ratio is high.
3. Another common cause of concrete bleeding is the adjustment of mix design during the
pumping process
Effects of bleeding
1. Bleeding in concrete causes the ingredients of the concrete mix to be unevenly distributed.
2. Bleeding causes the concrete to be permeable i.e it allows water to pass through resulting in
corrosion of the steel bars
3. It reduces the bond between the reinforcement bars and the concrete
4. It also affects the pumping ability of concrete during the placement process of concrete i.e it
reduces the workability of concrete
However, normal bleeding of concrete improves the workability of concrete
MIXING CONCRETE
This is the process of combining various raw materials to create a workable strong and durable
material used in construction. The main components of concrete are:
(I) Cement- this is the binding agent that holds the mixture together by adding water to cement
which through the hydration process forms a solid matrix.
(ii)Aggregates- they include both fine and coarse aggregates. Fine aggregates include sand while
coarse aggregates include gravel and crushed stones. Aggregates provide the
bulk and strength of concrete.
(iii)Water- it initiates the reaction with cement and allows the mixture to become workable.
(iv)Admixtures- one can choose to use them or not. Admixtures are added to concrete to alter
its properties by accelerating or slowing down the setting time of the concrete
hence improving workability and enhancing its durability.
There are two types of mixing concrete, hand mixing and machine mixing.
Hand mixing:- this is a traditional method of mixing concrete. It is commonly used for small-
scale projects where the use of machines is impractical. It involves manually combining the

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 concrete ingredients to ensure the mixture is uniform. The following are the steps used for the
hand mixing of concrete:-
Site preparation:- One is required to choose a clean, hard, and non-porous surface for
mixing. Also, ensure that the site is close to the area where the concrete will be used to minimize
handling.
Material gathering:- Assemble the materials to make the concrete which are;
(I) Cement- portland cement is the most commonly used.
(ii) Fine aggregates- clean sand that is free of debris and organic materials.
(iii) Course aggregates- one can use either gravel or crushed stone.
(iv) Water- use clean and portable water.
(v) Admixtures- if needed one can use them to modify properties of concrete.
Proportioning:- One is required to measure the materials by volume or weight according to
the mix design. A commonly used ratio for cement, sand, and aggregates is 1:2:4
Dry mixing:- Spread the measured cement on the mixing surface. Add the sand over the
cement then with the use of shovels, mix the cement and sand thoroughly until the mixture is
uniform in color. This enables the cement to be evenly distributed among the sand particles. Add
the coarse aggregates to the sand and cement mixture until you achieve a homogeneous mix
where the aggregates are evenly coated with the cement and paste
Adding water:- Create a crater in the center of the dry mix. Then add water gradually into
the crater. The amount of water should be added 0.45-0.6 times the weight of the cement. You
start mixing from the edges, gradually pulling the dry mix into the water. Add water slowly to
avoid making the mix too wet.
Wet mixing:- Keep mixing the ingredients until the water is fully absorbed and the
concrete achieves a consistent texture. The mix should be workable and it should be easy to
handle without being too runny.
Pouring and compacting:- Pour the mixed concrete into the prepared forms or molds.
Use tools like trowels, tamping rods, or vibrators to compact the concrete and remove the air
pockets.
Finishing:- Once you pour the mixture, level and smooth the concrete surface using a
screed, float or trowel then perform any extra finishing techniques required.
Curing:- After finishing, concrete must be kept moist to cure properly. Cover it with
plastic sheets or wet burlap to prevent drying out.
For effective hand mixing consistency, clean tools, batch size, and working quickly are required.

MACHINE MIXING
This is a more efficient and consistent method than hand mixing, especially suitable for large or
big projects. It involves using mechanical devices to mix the raw materials of concrete into a
homogeneous mixture.
The following are steps for machine mixing of concrete;
Preparation:- Choose an appropriate mixer type based on the project size and requirements.

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 Ensure the mixer is clean and in good working condition.
Proportioning:- Measure the materials according to the mix design and accurate measurement
to maintain the desired strength and consistency of the concrete.
Loading the mixer:- Add the measured quantities of coarse aggregate into the mixer. Add sand
on top of the coarse aggregate. Add the cement last, ensuring it is evenly distributed over the
aggregates then turn on the mixer to start the dry mixing process.
Dry mixing:- Allow the mixer to run for a few minutes to thoroughly blend the dry materials.
This ensures that the cement coats the aggregate particles evenly.
Adding water:- Gradually add the measured amount of water to the mix. Adding water slowly
helps to achieve the correct consistency and prevents the mix from becoming too wet
Wet mixing:- Let the mixer run for about 2-3 minutes after all the water has been added. The
goal is to achieve a homogeneous mixture with a consistent texture and color. Perform a slump
text to check the workability of the mix. Adjust the water content if necessary, but avoid adding
too much as it can weaken the concrete.
Discharging the mix:- Once the concrete is thoroughly mixed, discharge it into a wheelbarrow,
bucket, or directly into the prepared forms for tilting drum mixers tilt the drum to pour out the
concrete then for non-tilting mixers use the discharge chute.
Transporting and placing:- Transport the concrete to the desired location quickly to avoid the
initial setting. Pour the concrete into forms and use tools like trowels screeds or vibrators to
place and compact it properly.
Cleaning the mixer:- After each batch clean the mixer thoroughly to prevent hardened concrete
from sticking to the drum and blades the residual concrete can affect the quality of future
batches.

Advantages of the machine mixing are consistency, efficiency, labor saving, and quality control.
For effective machine mixing you should conduct regular maintenance on the mixer, use the
correct proportions, and the recommended mixing times.

Types of Concrete mixes

Concrete mixers come in various types, each suited for different applications and scales of
construction projects. Here are the main types:
Batch mixers.
Drum mixers; These are the most common types and can be divided into; non-tilting, tilting, and
reversing drum mixers.
Tilting drum mixer; The drum Can be tilted for discharging the concrete. It's suitable for mixing
plastic concrete.

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Non-tilting Drum mixer; The drum is fixed and has openings at both ends for input and output. It
is used for stiff and dry mixes.
Reversing Drum mixer; The drum rotates in one direction for mixing and in the opposite
direction for discharging
Pan mixers.
These have cylindrical panes with rotating blades for mixing for mixing concrete of low to high
workability.
Planetary Mixers.
The mixing blades rotate on a planetary axis ensuring thorough and uniform mixing. They’re
used for high-performance concrete
B) Continuous mixers
1. Continuous drum mixers: The mixer continuously feeds and mixes ingredients. They are used
in large-scale projects like roads.
2. Screw mixes: Ingredients are mixed as they move through the screw conveyor, Suitable for
lightweight concrete productions
C. Truck mixers (Transit mixers)
These are mobile mixers used to transport and mix concrete Enroot to a construction site. The
drum rotates to mix the concrete while on the move
D. Specialty mixers.
1. Volumetric mixers
These mixers can mix Concrete on-site and deliver it as needed. They measure and mix the
concrete components by volume.
2. Self-loading Mixers
These are mobile units that can self-load the ingredients, mix, and discharge concrete, making
them highly efficient for small to medium-scale projects.
3. Twin Shafter mixers.
Shafter mixers have two horizontal Shafts with mixing blades, providing a high-intensity mixing
action suitable for large volumes of concrete and concrete with low workability
Using concrete mixers effectively involves adhering to principles to ensure the quality and
consistency of the concrete. Here are the key principles to follow:

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1. Proper Loading Sequence: Add materials in the correct order to prevent sticking and ensure
proper mixing. Generally, add about half the water first followed by aggregates, cement, and the
remaining water.
2. Accurate proportioning: Measure and proportion materials accurately to maintain desired the
concrete mix. Use a mix design that specifies the correct ratios of cement, water, aggregate, and `
3. Consistent mixing time: Mix Concrete for a consistent amount of time to achieve uniformity.
Typically this is about 2-3 minutes after all ingredients are in the mixer for drum mixers.
4. Avoid overloading: Do not exceed the mixer's rated capacity. Overloading can lead to
incomplete mixing and reduced efficiency.
5. Regular maintenance: Keep the mixer clean and well-maintained. Regularly Check for wear
and tear hardened on the blades and the drum and remove any concrete build-up.
6. Proper Discharge: Ensure that the concrete is completely discharged from the mixer. Residual
concrete Control mixing environment. can harden and affect future mixes
7. Control mixing environment: Be mindful of the Mixing environment. Extreme temperatures
can affect the mixing process and the final Concrete quality. Use appropriate measures to control
the temperature of the mix such as cooling the water or shielding the water mixer from direct
sunlight.
8. Safety Protocols: Follow Safety protocols to protect workers. This includes wearing personal
protective equipment (PPE) ensuring proper handling of material and operating the mixer
according to the Manufacturer’s guidelines.
9. Quality Control: Regularly test the concrete mix for consistency, slump, and other desired
properties. Adjust the mix proportions or mixing time as needed based on test results.
10. Timely use: Used the mixed concrete within a specified to prevent setting before placement.
This is especially important for mixes with fast-setting properties.