STUDY ON EFFECT OF SUPERPLASTICIZER ON WORKABILITYANS STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
SUPERPLASTICIZER

Superplasticizers, also known as high range water reducers, are additives used in making high
strength concrete. Plasticizers are chemical compounds that enable the production of concrete with
10% less water content. Superplasticizers allow reduction in water content by 15% or more. These
additives are employed at the level of a few weight percent. Plasticizers and superplasticizer retard the
curing of concrete. Super plasticizers are used where well-dispersed particle suspension is required to
improve the flow characteristics (rheology) of suspensions such as in concrete applications. Their
addition to concrete or mortar allows the reduction of the water to cement ratio without negatively
affecting the workability of the mixture, and enables the production of self-consolidating concrete and
high performance concrete. They greatly improve the performance of the hardening fresh paste. The
strength of concrete increases, as the water to cement ratio decreases. Superplasticizers are synthetic
polymers. Compounds used as superplasticizer include sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde
condensate, sulfonated melamine formaldehyde condensate, acetone formaldehyde condensate and
polycarboxylate ethers. Cross-linked melamine- or naphthalene- sulfonates, referred to as PMS
(polymelamine sulfonate) and PNS (polynaphthalene sulfonate), respectively, are illustrative. They are
prepared by cross linking of the sulfonated monomers using formaldehyde or by sulfonating the
corresponding cross linked polymer.
Superplasticizers are well known in market for their high range water reducing properties. They
are the chemical compounds, which reduces the initial need of water for mixing the concrete mix and
also reduces the curing time of the concrete. By reducing the amount of water, the cement paste will
have higher density, which results in higher paste quality. An increase in paste quality will yield higher
compressive and flexural strength, lower permeability, increase resistance to weathering, improve the
bond of concrete and reinforcement, reduce the volume change from drying and wetting, and reduce
shrinkage cracking tendencies. Another benefit of superplasticizer is concrete early strength
enhancement (50 to 75%). The initial setting time may be accelerated up to an hour earlier or retarded to
be an hour later according to its chemical reaction. To meet the modern demands of the world, to beat
the time boundations, the superplasticizer play an important role.

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

1.A review of cement– superplasticizer interactions and their models MYA Mollah, WJ Adams,
Robert Schennach, David L Cocke Advances in Cement Research (2000) has been concluded
Construction and Building Materials (2014) It has been concluded from the survey of the literature
that cement–superplasticizer interactions are generally preceded by the adsorption of
superplasticizers on the hydrating cement particles[1].

2. Effect of the superplasticizer type on the properties of the fly ash blended cement E Tkaczewska
Construction and Building Materials (2014) has been concluded that in presence of polycarboxylate
superplasticizers, decrease in water content required to obtain cement paste of standard consistency
is 42% for PC and 47% for PCE as compared to control sample CEM II/A-V 42.5R[2].

3. Influence of the structures of polycarboxylate superplasticizer on its performance in cement-

based materials-A review Shengnan Sha, Min Wang, Caijun Shi, Yuchong Xiao Construction and
Building Materials (2020) has been concluded PC with low charge density has poor initial dispersion
but good slump retention, while PC with high charge density exhibits stronger adsorption adherence
on the surface of cement particles, thus displays good initial dispersion but poor slump[3].

4. Effect of Silica Fume and SuperPlasticizer on Mechanical Properties of Self Compacting

Concrete: A Review Waseem Khairi Mosleh Frhaan, Hisham Badorul Abu Bakar, Nahla Hilal,
Abdulkader Ismail Al-Hadithi IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (2020) has
been concluded Higher quantity addition of both SF and SP will badly affect the fresh and hardened
properties of SCC[4].
5. Adsorption and dispersion capability of polycarboxylatebased superplasticizers: A review
Yihan Ma, Shengnan Sha, Beibei Zhou, Fengzhen Lei, Yi Liu, Yuchong Xiao, Caijun Shi Journal of
Sustainable Cement-Based Materials (2022) has been concluded This article can provide a better
understanding on the adsorbed behaviors of PCE and a theoretical basis on the improvement of
dispersion capability of PCE and the design of PCE used for low water-to-binder system[5].

6. Effect of Plasticizer and Superplasticizer on Rheology of FlyAsh-Based Geopolymer Concrete.

Aminul Islam Laskar, Rajan Bhattacharjee ACI materials journal (2013) has been concluded,The
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correlation between rheological parameters and slump test results has been found to be good for fly-
ashbased geopolymer concrete containing plasticizer and superplastisizer[6].

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CHAPTER 3

OBJECTIVE
The second most consumed material on earth is concrete, after water. So we need to look for
ways to reduce the use of water in concrete in most economic way possible. We also want concrete to
gain its ultimate strength earlier to reduce the overall requirement of water. The objective of work is to
prepare normal concrete block and one with chemical additives and compare them on the bases of
different properties of concrete. Here we take different percentage of chemical compound and test
their normal consistency, compressive strength, water absorption, initial setting time of concrete block.
Here we are trying to determine how concrete will behave at different percentage of chemical
admixture and how much less water will be required in comparison with normal concrete. So, it is
important to find ways to reduce the water-cement ratio in concrete without much affecting the
workability. Superplasticizer, admixture, water-reducers are one way to achieve this.

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CHAPTER 4

MATERIALS REQUIRED
The materials used for study are cement, superplasticizer, fine and coarse aggregates. This type
of concrete involves many factors that affect the deformability and segregation such as water- cement
ratio and numerous properties of aggregates that is, volume, size distribution, void content, fine to
coarse aggregate ratio, surface properties and density. Further, few tests of our interest are conducted
as per codal provisions on concrete materials to determine their properties and suitability for the tests
under consideration.

4.1 ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT

Cement is the most important constitution in that it forms the building medium for the discrete
ingredients.It is made out of naturally occurring raw materials and some times blended or interground
with industrial waste content come in type and chemical composition for general concerete
construction.The raw material used for the manufacture of Lime,Silica,Alumina and iron Oxide.These
oxides interact with one another in the kiln to form or complex compound.

Cement is important building ,material in todays construction world.53 grade ordinary Portland
cement(OPC) Confirming to IS: 8112-1989

This type-I cement complies strictly with BS 12: 1991 where it is widely used in general
construction, for example buildings, bridges and other precast concrete products. It is available in 50
kg bag.

4.2 MIXING WATER

 Water is an important ingredient in the concerete mass, as it actively participants in the chemical
reaction with cement compounds.
 The water should be added to require consistency.
 Water should be fresh and potable.
 Sea water and other blackish should not be used as the sculpture,Aluminates present in the cement.
 The PH value should be 6 to 7.
 Water is important to ensure continuous hydration process.Along the experiment, tap water is used

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for mixing and curing of concrete. The water must be free from reactive elements such as reactive
ions and impurities to guarantee the quality of the concrete.

4.3 FINE AND COARSE AGGREGATE

Aggregate is important because it occupies about three- quarters of the volume of concrete.
Usually, there are two types of aggregate used in concrete, which are fine and coarse aggregates.
Many parameters needed to be considered in selection of aggregate, for instance, types of aggregate,
size and shape of the particle, and the strength of the aggregate. The fine aggregate used in this
investigation is M-sand.

4.4 SUPERPLASTICIZER

reduce water - cement ratio while maintaining workability. increases strength of the
concrete/ mortar by reducing water content. Use for all types of concrete and mortar
such as slope roof slabs, flat roof slabs, beams, columns, slabs, internal and external
plaster of buildings, repair and renovation.

Applications

•Improves workability

•Reduces segregation & water requirements In hardened concrete

•Increases strength

•Improves finished appearance

•Reduces cracking & permeability

Benefits

•Conforms to ASTM C 494 Type F & IS 9103 for chemical admixture

•Reduce water cement ratio while maintaining workability

•Increases strength of the concrete/ mortar by reducing water content

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CHAPTER 5

TEST ON MATERIAL

5.1 TESTS ON CEMENT

 Specific gravity of cement

 Normal consistency of cement

 Initial and final setting time of cement

 Compressive strength of cement

 Fineness of cement

5.2 TESTS ON AGGREGATE

 Specific gravity

 Sieve analysis

5.1 TESTS ON CEMENT

SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF CEMENT

AIM: To determine specific gravity of cement by using specific gravity bottle.

APPARATUES: Specific gravity bottle, weighing balance and kerosene (free from water).
DIAGRAM:

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Specific gravity bottle

PROCEDURE:

1. The Flask should be free from the liquid that means it should be fully dry. Weigh the empty flask. This
is W1.
2. Next, fill the cement on the bottle up to half of the flask around 50gm and weigh with its stopper. And
it is W2.

3. Add Kerosene to the cement up to the top of the bottle. Mix well to remove the air bubbles in it. Weigh
the flask with cement and kerosene. And it is W3.
4. Empty the flask. Fill the bottle with kerosene up to the top and weigh the flask for counting W4.
OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:

1.
Mass of empty bottle W1, gm =48

2.
Mass of bottle + cement W2, gm =128

3.
Mass of bottle +cement + kerosene W3, gm =186

4.
mass of bottle + kerosene W4, gm =130

5.
Sp gravity of kerosene W5, gm =150

Sp gravity of cement

RESULT:

Specific gravity of the sample of cement =3.054

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NORMAL CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT

AIM: To determine the percentage of water for normal consistency for a given sample of cement

THEORY: Normal consistency of cement is the amount of water required to prepare a paste of
standard consistency, which would give penetration value of 33 to 35 mm from the top of the vicat
mould. The consistency cement paste is expressed as a percentage by weight of dry cement. Usually
this percentage varies from 26% to 33%. Normal consistency is useful to determining the water
content to be added to cement in setting time, soundness and compressive strength that are conducted
to tast in cement for its quality.

APPARATUES: Weighing balance of 1000g with accuracy 1g and Measuring cylinder of 200ml,
VICAT apparatus, VICAT Mould, Glass plate, the plunger of 10mm dia and Hand Trowel.

VICAT’S APPARATUS: As vicat’s apparatus consist of a frame bearing a movable rod of weight 300
grams. At the upper end of this rod a cap is provided lower end 1.13mm of weight 300 grams.
DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:
1. Take 400g of cement and place it in a bowl or tray.

2. Now Assume standard consistency of water is 28% and add the same quantity of water in cement
and mix it.
3. Mix the paste thoroughly within 3-5 minutes. The time taken to obtain cement paste after
adding water is called gauging time.

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4. Now fill the paste in Vicat mould correctly any excessive paste remained on Vicat mould is taken
off by using a trowel.
5. Then, place the VICAT mould on Glass plate and see that the plunger should touch the
surface of VICAT mould gently.
6. Release the Plunger and allow it to sink into the test mould.

7. Note down the penetration of the plunger from the bottom of mould indicated on the scale.
8. Repeat the same experiment by adding different percentages of water until the reading is in
between 5-7mm on the Vicat apparatus scale.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:

1. Weight of cement taken (g) = 300

2. Initial percentage of water added to cement = 84ml

TABULAR COLUMN:
Sl No Quantity Of Water Added Depth Of Penetration
(ml) (mm)
0.1 84 28
02 90 30

Standard Consistency of Cement “P” = (Quantity of water for 5-7 mm penetration/Weight of

cement) X 100

PRECAUTION:
1. The procedure should be conducted within 3-5 min after mixing water
2. The reading should be taken carefully

RESULT:
The percentage of water for normal consistency for the given sample of cement is …29%…..

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INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CONCRETE

AIM: To determine the initial and final setting time of a given sample of cement.

THEORY: Cement losses its plasticity when the water is added to it and finally becomes a solid
mass. Setting time may be split into initial and final setting time. The time at which the cement
paste loses its plasticity till the needle fails to penetrate the cement paste about 5 mm from the bottom
of the mould. The period lapsed between water added to cement and till the needle fails to penetrate 5
mm from the bottom is measured as initial setting time. The size of needle being 1 mm 2 or 1.13 mm ɸ.
The cement is said to have finally set when the needle projecting 0.5 mm beyond the annular
attachment penetrate into the cement paste but the annular attachment fails to make any impression
on it.

APPARATUS: Weighing balance of 1000g with accuracy 1g and Measuring cylinder of 200ml,
VICAT apparatus, VICAT Mould, Glass plate, the plunger of 10mm dia and Hand Trowel, stop watch
DIAGRAM:

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PROCEDURE:
1. Take 400g of cement and place it in a bowl or tray.

2. Now add water of start the stopwatch at the moment water is added to the cement. Water of
quantity 0.85P times (where P is the standard consistency of cement ) is considered.

3. Now fill the mix in vicat mould. If any excessive paste retained on vicat mould is taken off by
using a trowel.

4. Then, place the VICAT mould on non porous plate and see that the plunger shiuld the surface of
VICAT mould gently.

5. Release the Plunger and allow it to sink into the test mould.

6. Note down the penetration of the plunger from the bottom of mould indicated on the scale.

7. Repeat the same experiment at different positions on the mould until the plunger should stop
penetrating 5 from the bottom of the mould.
OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:
1. Quantity of cement =
2. Water for standard Consistency P =
3. Quantity of water to be added =

TABULAR COLUMN:

Time in (mm) Depth of penetration(mm)

5 45
10 45
15 42
20 42
25 40
30 39
35 37
40 35
45 35
Test Result

1. Initial Setting Time of Cement – Note down the time, when needle fails to penetrate 5 –
7 mm from the bottom of the test block. This time is denoted as an initial setting time of
cement.
2. Final Setting Time of Cement – Note down the time, when needle fails to make an
impression on the surface of the test block. This time is denoted as a final setting time of

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cement.

RESULT:
1. The initial setting time of the cement =45min…..
2. The final setting time of the cement =550 min…..

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENT

AIM: To determine Compressive Strength of Cement

THEORY: This measures development of strength depends on fineness of cement. Finer the cement
quicker is the action with water and gains early strength. But shrinkage and cracking of finished
surface will increase with fines of cement.
CONCEPT STRUCTURE:

Compressive Cement mortar

strength of cement cubes of 1: 3

Grade of cement indicates 28 days

APPARATUS:

Compression testing machine, Cube mould of size 7.07x 7.07 x 7.07cm with base plates,
Crucible to mix cement and sand, weighting balance accurate up to 0.1gm, Motored cube vibration
machine, Measuring cylinder, Trowel and tray etc.
Materials: Cement sample, water and standard sand.
DIAGRAM:

Axis

L
A

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PROCEDURE:

1. The weight of cement required is 200 grams and 600 gms of standard sand and mix them first dry.
2. Calculate the water content required for one cube specimen and mix this water to dry mortar
keeping in view the gauge time as 3 – 5 minutes.

3. Apply thin layer of oil to the interior faces of the mould and fill the mortar mix in the mould, Place it
on the table of the vibration machine about 2 minutes at 12000 ± 400 RPM.
4. Air cure the specimens at 27°C for 24 hours in room with 90 % relative humidity.

5. After air curing keep the specimen in water total period 3 to 7 days to determine the compressive
strength.
6. The cubes are removed from water, drained and placed between testing plates of compression
testing machine and a load of 35 N /mm2 /minute is applied.
7. Compressive strength of cement is calculated as failure load divided by area of cube be 50 cm2.

FOR COMPRESSIVE TEST ON CEMENT:

Sl. No. 3 days 7 days
Load (KN) Strength (N/ mm2) Load (KN) Strength (N/ mm2)
1

Average
strength

RESULTS:
The average comp. Strength of the cement sample is found to be 1.
At the end of 3 days of curing =---------------------------------N/ mm2
2. At the end of 7 days of curing =-------------------------------N/mm2
3. At the end of 28 days of curing =-------------------------------N/mm2

CONCLUSION:
The compressive strength of given cement sample is ……………………………..

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FINENESS OF CEMENT
AIM: To determine fineness of Cement by Air permeability test.
THEORY: This measure the mean size of particles of cement, the development of strength depends
on fines of cement. Finer the cement quicker is the action with water and gains early strength. But
shrinkage and cracking of finished surface will increase with finess of cement.
APPARATUS: Permeability cell, perforated disc, plunger, filter paper, manometer, weighing balance
accurate up to 0.1 gm, stop watch, mercury, crucible, trowel and brush and tray.
DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:
Procedure consists of 4 steps
A. DETERMINATION OF THE DENSITY OF CEMENT
To determine the density or specific gravity of cement.
B. DETERMINATION OF THE BED VOLUME

1. Apply a very thin film of light mineral oil to the cell interior. Place the perforated disc on the
ledge in cell. Place two new filter paper discs on the perforated disc.
2. Fill the cell with mercury. Level the mercury to the top of the cell with a glass plate.
3. Remove the mercury from cell and it, M1.
4. Remove the top filter paper from the permeability cell and compress a trial quantity of 2.80 g
of cement into the space above filter paper to the gauge line in the cell. Place the other filter
paper above the cement bed.
5. Fill the remaining space in the cell above the filter paper with mercury. Level the mercury to the

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top of the cell with a glass plate and remove mercury from the cell and weigh it, M2.

6. Calculate the volume occupied by the cement bed in the cell from the following equation.

V = (M1-M2)/D, Where D = Density of mercury (13.54 g/cm3)

7. Average at least two volume determinations that agree to within ±0.005cm 3 and record this
value.
C. DETERMINATION OF APPARATUS CONSTANT

1. Take an amount (W) of standard cement so as to give the cement bed of porosity e=0.500. i.e.
W = (1-e)ρV or W = 0.500ρV
2. Place the perforated disc on the ledge at the bottom of the cell and place on it a new filter paper
disc. Place the weighed quantity of standard cement, W, in the cell taking care to avoid loss.
3. Tap the cell to level the cement. Place a second new filter paper disc on the leveled cement.
4. Compress the cement with the plunger until the plunger collar is in contact with the top of the
cell. Slowly withdraw the plunger a short distance, rotate 90 0, repress the cement bed, and then
slowly withdraw.
5. Attach the permeability cell to the manometer tube with an air tight connection and slowly
evacuate the air in the manometer U-tube until the liquid reaches the top mark, then tightly
close the valve.
6. Start the timer when the bottom of the meniscus reaches next to the top mark and stop the timer
when the bottom of the meniscus reaches the bottom mark. Record the time t and temp. of test.
7. Repeat the whole procedure on two further samples of the same reference cement. Calculate
the average time of the three determinations. Then calculate the apparatus constant using the
formula given below.

Where,
K=Apparatus constant
S0=Specific surface of reference
ρ0=Density of reference cement
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t0=Mean of three measured times

η0=Air viscosity at the mean of the three temperatures.

D. DETERMINATION OF FINENESS

1. Repeat the steps (1 to 6) as done in determination of apparatus constant, but this time using the
cement whose fineness is to be calculated.
2. Calculate fineness of cement using following formula.

Where,

S = Specific surface area

K =Apparatus constant

ρ =Density of cement

t = Time

OBSERVATIONS:
Blaine's air permeability method:
1. Weight of empty crucible (W1) =.............................g.
2. Weight of crucible + mercury filling permeability cell (W2) =..........................g.
3. Weight of mercury filling cell (WA) = (2) - (1) =.............................g.
4. Weight of crucible + mercury filling portion above cement bed (W3) =.............g
5. Mass of mercury required to fill the portion of cell above the cement bed (W4) =
………g
6. Bulk volume of compacted bed of cement, V cm
7. Mass of the sample W gm
8. Average time taken by the manometer liquid to fall from second to third line, TS seconds.
Specific surface of standard cement, SS cm2/gm.
9. Temperature of the laboratory =..................................°C
For fineness of cement:
1. Mass of sample W gram
2. Mean time for liquid to fall through, the middle interval T1+ T2+ T3 = T seconds
3

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3. Specific surface cm2/gm.

RESULT:
The fineness of the cement is cm2/gm.

CONCLUSION:
The fineness of the given sample of cement is --------- (within / not within) the limit specified by
B. I. S. The finess is given,
1. For ordinary Portland cement = 2250 cm2/gm.
2. For rapid hardening cement = 3250 cm2/gm.
3. For low heat cement = 3200 cm2/gm.

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M25-MIX DESIGN
M-25 CONCRETE MIX DESIGN

As per IS 10262-2009 & MORT&H

A-1 Stipulations for Proportioning

1 Grade Designation M25

2 Type of Cement OPC 53 grade confirming to IS-12269-1987

3 Maximum Nominal Aggregate Size 20 mm

4 Minimum Cement Content 310 kg/m3

(MORT&H 1700-3 A)

5 Maximum Water Cement 0.45

Ratio (MORT&H 1700-3
A)
6 Workability (MORT&H 1700-4) 50-75 mm (Slump)

7 Exposure Condition Normal

8 Degree of Supervision Good

9 Type of Aggregate Crushed Angular Aggregate

10 Maximum Cement Content 540 kg/m3

(MORT&H Cl. 1703.2)

11 Chemical Admixture Type Superplasticiser Confirming to IS-9103

A-2 Test Data for Materials

1 Cement Used Coromandal King OPC 53 grade

2 Sp. Gravity of Cement 3.15

3 Sp. Gravity of Water 1.00

4 Chemical Admixture BASF Chemicals Company

5 Sp. Gravity of 20 mm Aggregate 2.884

6 Sp. Gravity of 10 mm Aggregate 2.878

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7 Sp. Gravity of Sand 2.605

8 Water Absorption of 20 mm 0.97%

Aggregate
9 Water Absorption of 10 mm 0.83%
Aggregate
10 Water Absorption of Sand 1.23%

11 Free (Surface) Moisture of 20 nil

mm Aggregate

12 Free (Surface) Moisture of 10 nil

mm Aggregate

13 Free (Surface) Moisture of Sand nil

14 Sieve Analysis of Individual Separate Analysis Done

Coarse Aggregates

15 Sieve Analysis of Combined Separate Analysis Done

Coarse Aggregates

15 Sp. Gravity of Combined 2.882

Coarse Aggregates

16 Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates Separate Analysis Done

A-3 Target Strength for Mix Proportioning

1 Target Mean Strength 36N/mm2

(MORT&H 1700- 5)

2 Characteristic Strength @ 25N/mm2

28 days
A-4 Selection of Water Cement Ratio

1 Maximum Water 0.45

Cement Ratio
(MORT&H
1700-3 A)
2 Adopted Water Cement 0.43
Ratio

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A-5 Selection of Water Content

1 Maximum Water content (10262- 186 Lit.

table- 2)

2 Estimated Water content for 50- 138 Lit.

75 mm Slump

3 Superplasticiser used 0.5 % by wt. of cement

A-6 Calculation of Cement Content

1 Water Cement Ratio 0.43

2 Cement Content (138/0.43) 320 kg/m3

Which is greater then 310 kg/m3

A-7 Proportion of Volume of Coarse Aggregate & Fine Aggregate Content

1 Vol. of C.A. as per table 3 of IS 62.00%

10262
2 Adopted Vol. of Coarse Aggregate 62.00%

Adopted Vol. of Fine 38.00%

Aggregate ( 1- 0.62)

A-8 Mix Calculations

1 Volume of Concrete in m3 1.00

2 Volume of Cement in m3 0.10

(Mass of Cement) / (Sp.

Gravity of Cement)x1000

3 Volume of Water in m3 0.138

(Mass of Water) / (Sp.

Gravity of Water)x1000

4 Volume of Admixture @ 0.5% in 0.00134

m3
(Mass of Admixture)/(Sp.
Gravity of Admixture)x1000

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5 Volume of All in Aggregate in m3 0.759

Sr. no. 1 – (Sr. no. 2+3+4)

6 Volume of Coarse Aggregate in m3 0.471

Sr. no. 5 x 0.62

7 Volume of Fine Aggregate in m3 0.288

Sr. no. 5 x 0.38

A-9 Mix Proportions for One Cum of Concrete (SSD Condition)

1 Mass of Cement in kg/m3 320

2 Mass of Water in kg/m3 138

3 Mass of Fine Aggregate in kg/m3 751

4 Mass of Coarse Aggregate in 1356

kg/m3
Mass of 20 mm in kg/m3 977

Mass of 10 mm in kg/m3 380

5 Mass of Admixture in kg/m3 1.60

6 Water Cement Ratio 0.43

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CHAPTER 6

TEST ON CONCRETE
6.1 TEST ON FRESH CONCRETE

1. Slump cone method.

2. Compaction Factor test.
3. Vee Bee tests.

6.2 TEST ON FRESH CONCRETE

SLUMP TEST
AIM: To determine workability of concrete by slump cone method.
THEORY: Unsupported fresh concrete will flow to the sides and this vertical settlement is known as
slump. Slump increases with increase in water/cement ratio. Different slump values are recommended
for different concrete works. Slump value is a measure of workability of concrete. Concrete is said to
be workable, if it can be easily mixed, place, compacted and finished. A workable concrete should not
show any segregation or bleeding.
APPARATUES: Concrete mixing pan, balance, trowels, slump cone apparatus, tampering rod 60 cm
long and 1 cm ɸ and graduated cylinder.

DIAGRAM:
PROCEDURE:

1. Calculate the quantities of materials required for slump test and weigh them separately.
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2. Adopt the given water cement ratio as recommended and calculate the water required.

3. Mix sand and cement dry thoroughly and thus prepare a dry mix. Spread the aggregates on the
iron pan evenly to about 5 cm layer and on this spread cement sand mix. Sprinkle about 1/3
water calculated for the experiment and mix uniformly.

4. Add again water about 1/3 and mix the concrete thoroughly. This procedure is repeated for
third time and concrete should look uniform.

5. Fix the truncated cone to the stand after applying the inner surface with oil and till the concrete
in 4 equal layers each layer giving 25 blows uniformly all over the surface.

6. Fill the space and level the surface of striking off extra concrete.

7. Remove the cone raising it slowly without jerks.

8. Note the reading after the settlement is over, this value gives the slump value of concrete.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:

W/c ratio Slump

50
0.5
77.5
0.55
151.6
0.6

Result:

Sample for ,

Water cement ratio 0.5 slump is = 5 cm

For water cement ratio of 0.55 slump is= 7.15 cm
For water cement ratio of 0.6 slump is =15.16cm

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6.3 Effect of Superplasticizer on Slump Loss:

Shows the slump values for all the batches of concrete tested for workability. The workability of
concrete enhanced with addition of superplasticizer with constant W/C ratio. However, the workability of
concrete is one of the most important criteria that should be always be kept in check for long duration
depending up on the retention time which is calculated keeping the distance between the site and the ready
mixed concrete plant. The data are recorded and being shown to observe the relation between dosages of
superplasticizer and slump loss.

Table 1 Slump Loss for Superplasticizer Concrete

Concrete mix Slump (mm)
0 min 30 min 60 min 90 min 120 min 180 min 240 min 300 min
Control M 40 35 20 10 0 0 0 0
Control M1 130 100 70 50 30 15 10 0
400ml/100 kg of cement (MS1) 150 110 80 60 35 20 10 0
600ml/100 kg of cement (MS2) 160 140 90 65 35 25 13 0
800ml/100 kg of cement (MS3) 165 140 110 95 73 50 20 0
1000ml/100 kg of cement (MS4) 170 150 140 115 65 47 15 0
1200ml/100 kg of cement (MS5) 190 170 155 123 76 52 25 10

Fig.6.3.1Effect of Superplasticizer Dosage on Flow Table

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Results And Discussion

Tests needed to be carried out in order to investigate the properties of the concrete. Basically, there
are three types of testing, namely control testing, compliance testing and secondary testing. Control testing
is used to ensure acceptable supplied materials are available, whereas, compliance testing is to judge
compliance of the material with the given specifications. Lastly, secondary testing is used when there is
doubt about the reliability of control and compliance results [8]. Usually, the objective of fresh concrete
testing is to determine the workability of the sample, since workability is important to ensure sufficient
compaction on the concrete to avoid excessive porosity that might affect the quality of the concrete. On the
other hand, tests on harden concrete is to observe its strength and other properties of concrete so that the
effect of both retarder and superplasticizer could be quantified.

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COMPACTION FACTOR TEST

AIM: To determine the workability of concrete by Compaction Factor test.
THEORY: This workability test determines the amount of work required to produce full compaction for
a concrete which partially compacted during the test by allowing it to fall from a predetermined height.
APPARATUES: Compaction factor test apparatus, Concrete mixing pan, balance to 30 Kg, trowels,
tampering rod and graduated cylinder of 1 liter capacity.
DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:
1. Mix suffient quantity of concrete as explained in slump cone test and fill the top hopper of the
compaction factor equipment.
2. Allow the concrete into bottom hopper by opening the flip of top hopper which the flip of
bottom hopper is closed
3. Now allow the concrete to fall into the cylinder the weight of concrete required to fill the
cylinder is determined, let it be W2
4. Remove the concrete from cylinder and fill the same concrete into it in 14 layers each layer is
tampered 25 times uniformly all over the surface, now find the weight of cylinder W3
5. Compaction factor = W2 – W1 = Weight of partially complete concrete
W3 – W1 Weight of fully compacted concrete Where W1 = Weight of

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empty cylinder

Observations and calculations

For water cement ratio = 0.4, compaction factor = 20.475/12.877 = ….0.73….

For water cement ratio = 0.5, compaction factor = 12.467/13.017 = ….0.95….

For water cement ratio = 0.6, compaction factor = 13.012/13.137 = ….0.990….

Placing condition Degree of workability Value of workability

Concerting shallow sector with Very low 0.75 to 0.80

vibration

Concerting of lightly reinforced Low 0.8 to 0.85

section with vibration

Concerting of lightly reinforced Medium 0.85 to 0.92

section without vibration

Concerting of heavily High 0.92 to above

reinforced section without
vibration

Result:

Compaction factor for a given sample:

For water cement ratio = 0.4, compaction factor = ….0.73….

For water cement ratio = 0.5, compaction factor = ….0.95….

For water cement ratio = 0.6, compaction factor = ….0.990….

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VEE BEE CONSISTOMETER

AIM: To determine the workability of concrete by Vee Bee Consistometer test.

THEORY: This test measures in relative effort required to change a mass of concrete called
remolding effort is taken as time in seconds required to complete the change. This test is useful in
standing the mobility of the masses of the concrete made with varying amounts of water, cement and
various types grading of aggregate The time required for complete remolding in seconds is
considered as a measure of workability and is expressed as the number of vee bee seconds. This test is
suitable for dry mixes.
APPARATUS: Vee Bee vibrating table, slump cone, tampering rod, trowels and balance.
DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:
1. Place the slump cone in the VB consistometer and compact the mixed concrete in equal 4
layers, each layer giving 25 blows using a tamping rod uniformly all over the surface. Fill the
concrete full in the cone using trowel.
2. Adjust the glass disc to the initial reading on the graduated rod.

3. Raise the cone slowly in the vertical direction without any jerks. Lower the transparent
discs on the top of concrete and note down the reading on the graduated rod and calculate the
slump.
4. Switch on the electrical vibrations and also a stopwatch simultaneously, after complete
remoudling task. Stop the watch and find the time required for complete remoulding in VB

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seconds.
OBSERVATION:

Top Dia of the slump cone (d 1) = 10 cm = ….0.1 m….

Bottom Dia of the slump cone (d 2) = 20 cm = ….0.2 m….

D = d1+d2/2 = 0.1+0.2/2= …0.15m…

Height of slump cone = H = 31 cm = …0.31 m…
V = area * h = 0.0176 * 0.31 =…0.0567m3….

Water cement ratio 0.30 0.35 0.40

Time for complete 172 149 111
remolding in sec

RESULT:
Water cement ratio 0.3, time = …172sec…
Water cement ratio 0.35, time = …149sec…
Water cement ratio 0.40, time = …111sec…

Photo gallery

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Conclusions
The characteristic behaviour of concrete was studied using different dosages of superplasticizer on
properties of concrete with strength of 30 MPa. The properties explored were workability (slump and flow
table). From the test results, following conclusions are:

1. From the results of the study, it is decided that by addition of superplasticizer the workability of concrete
can be enhanced.
2. By using the proper chemical admixtures slump loss can be reduced to a great extent. In superplasticizer
concrete effect is too high.
3. Inclusions of superplasticizer in concrete enable concrete to have a better cohesiveness without
segregation, by increasing diameter of spread concrete to the range between 500- 650 mm. However, at
very high dosages, cohesiveness reduces.

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