Why does this test exist? Steel reinforcement in concrete is protected by the high alkalinity (pH of about 12.5 or more) of the cement paste, which forms a thin passive film on the bar. Chloride ions, coming from sea water, deicing salts, contaminated aggregates or groundwater, can break down this film. Once enough chloride reaches … Read more
Porosity & Permeability in Concrete Concrete looks like a solid and impermeable material. But if we could zoom into the concrete at the microscopic level, we would see a complex network of tiny pores and channels. These pores are important because they provide pathways through which water, vapour, gases and dissolved ions can move. Understanding … Read more
Carbonation Depth Test Concrete may look perfectly sound on the outside while its protective environment around reinforcement is slowly changing beneath the surface. One of the simplest ways to investigate this process is the Carbonation Depth Test using phenolphthalein indicator. The test is particularly useful when assessing the durability condition of existing reinforced-concrete members and … Read more
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) Test of Concrete The Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) test is a non-destructive test used to assess the quality and uniformity of hardened concrete without damaging the structural member. It is particularly useful for identifying areas that may contain cracks, voids, honeycombing, or other internal defects. Reference Standard IS 516 (Part 5/Sec … Read more
Concrete is normally selected for its strength, durability and versatility. However, some applications require another important property: high mass within a limited volume. This is where high density concrete, also known as heavyweight concrete, becomes useful. By replacing conventional aggregates with heavier natural or manufactured materials, concrete with a significantly higher density can be produced. … Read more
Codal Provisions from IS 516 (Part 1 / Section 1) If you are involved in construction, quality control, or civil engineering, keeping up with standard codes is crucial for safety and compliance. The Bureau of Indian Standards updated its concrete testing protocols with IS 516 (Part 1 / Section 1): 2021. This comprehensive standard outlines … Read more
Texas Slab Guys Explains a Concrete Breakthrough By Jeff Price, Founder & President, Texas Slab Guys For as long as reinforced concrete has existed, engineers have watched it fail in ways that feel almost inevitable. A coastal overpass develops rust stains along its soffits. A parking garage deck starts flaking at the rebar lines. A … Read more
Properties of Hardened Concrete 1. Strength: Concrete is strong in compression but relatively weak in tension and bending. It takes a great deal of force to crush concrete, but very little force to pull it apart or cause bending cracks. Compressive strength is determined primarily by the amount of cement used, but is also … Read more
CEMENT AND CONCRETE – ARE THEY THE SAME? Many people think that cement and concrete are the same product – they are not. Cement is a dry powdered chemical that, when mixed with water, slowly reacts to form a new hard, solid compound. On the other hand, concrete is a mixture of cement blended with … Read more
PROPERTIES OF HARDENED CONCRETE The following are the properties of concrete in its hardened state, used by the designer during design process of reinforced concrete structure. 1. Compressive Strength The characteristics strength is defined as the strength of concrete below which not more than 5% of the test results are expected to fall. As per … Read more
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