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What is Concrete, Mortar and Grout? Explain these? |
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Concrete is a composite material that consists of a binding medium embedded with fine Sand and Coarse aggregate. In Hydraulic Cement Concrete, the binder is cement paste, a mixture of cement and water and possibly one or more admixtures. The hydration reactions results in the formation of a hard solid mass. Mortar is a mixture of cement paste and fine aggregate. Grout is a mixture of cementitious material and water with or without fine Aggregate, proportioned to produce a pourable consistency without segregation of the constituents. |
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What are the prime requirements for a successful concrete structure? |
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The concrete must have sufficient strength to carry the loads imposed. The concrete must be able to endure under the conditions of exposure to which it will be subjected. The concrete must be economically produced in comparison with other materials equally strong and durable. Thus the requirements may be briefly stated as strength resistance to degradation (durability) and economy. |
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'Admixture', What is it? |
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An admixture is a material other than Water, Aggregates and Cement used as an ingredient of concrete mixture to modify its freshly mixed, setting or hardened properties. Admixtures modify the properties of concrete or mortar to make them more suitable for the work at hand, without any segregation and bleeding of water in the plastic stage and strong and durable in the hardened stage. |
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Some other types of admixtures? |
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There are other admixtures to enhance concrete properties and improve the performance of structures. For example:- Corrosion reducing Admixtures, to protect the steel from corrosion, shrinkage and minimize cracking. Other specialized admixtures include gas forming admixtures, grouting admixtures, pumping aids, damp proofing admixtures, bonding admixtures, anti washout admixtures, permeability reducing admixtures, flocculating admixtures, anti insecticidal admixture, etc. |
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'Curing', What? How? Why? |
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Curing is action taken to maintain moisture and temperature conditions in a freshly placed concrete to allow cement hydration and other pozzolanic reactions to occur so that the main potential properties of concrete may develop. The presence of sufficient moisture to maintain a relative humidity with the concrete and favourable temperatures are necessary for the cement hydration and strength developments. For this concrete is kept moist by water through ponding, continuous sprinkling covering with wet hessians or apply a curing compound to the touch dry surface of the concrete. |
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