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Background

slump test-Determining the consistency of concrete by filling a conical mold with a sample
of concrete, then inverting it over a flat plate and removing the mold; the amount by which
the concrete drops below the mold height is measured and this represents the slump.
The factors affect the workability of concrete mix

i. Water content or Water Cement Ratio

More the water cement ratio more will be workability of concrete. Since by simply
adding water the inter particle lubrication is increased.

High water content results in a higher fluidity and greater workability. Increased
water content also results in bleeding. another effect of increased water content can
also be that cement slurry will escape through joints of formwork.

ii. Amount and type of Aggregate

More the amount of aggregate less will be workability.

 Using smooth and round aggregate increases the workability. Workability


reduces if angular and rough aggregate is used.
 Greater size of Aggregate- less water is required to lubricate it, the extra
water is available for workability
 Angular aggregates increases flakiness or elongation thus reduces
workability. Round smooth aggregates require less water and less
lubricationand gretaer workability in a given w/c ratio
 Porous aggregates require more water compared to non absorbent
aggregates for achieving sam degree of workability.

iii. Aggregate Cement ratio

More ratio, less workability. Since less cement mean less water, so the paste is stiff.

iv. Weather Conditions

1. Temperature

If temperature is high, evaporation increases, thus workability decreases.

2. Wind:

If wind is moving with greater velocity, the rate of evaporation also increase reduces
the amount of water and ultimately reducing workability.

v. Admixtures

Chemical admixtures can be used to increase workability.

Use of air entraining agent produces air bubbles which acts as a sort of ball
bearing between particles and increases mobility, workability and decreases
bleeding, segregation. The use of fine pozzolanic materials also have better
lubricating effect and more workability.
vi. Sand to Aggregate ratio

If the amount of sand is more the workability will reduce because sand has more
surface area and more contact area causing more resistance.

why is the compaction test more appropriate for dried mixes

Compacting factor of fresh concrete is done to determine the workability of fresh concrete by
compacting factor test as per IS: 1199 – 1959. The apparatus used is Compacting factor apparatus

will the age of the concrete after mixing affect the results?
a) Why is the slump test suitable for site use?

Slump test is the most commonly used method of measuring workability of concrete
which can be employed either in laboratory or at site of work.It is seen that the slump test
gives fairly good consistent results for a plastic-mix.

b) What are the limitations of the slump test?

1. Pavement quality concrete, (PQC) measurement of workability by determination of


compacting factor will be more appropriate than slump.
2. It is not a suitable method for very wet or very dry concrete.
3. It does not measure all factors contributing to workability, nor is it always
representative of the placability of the concrete.

c)sketch the three main form of slump

d) will the addition of measured water to a ready concrete mix gave the desired
water/cement ratio

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