Materials Used In R.C.C. Work
Following four materials are required for making R.C.C.
(1) Cement
(2) Aggregates
(3) Steel
(4) Water.
(1) Cement: Before the introduction of ordinary Portland cement, the lime was used as a cementing material. Most of the cement concrete work in building construction is done with ordinary Portland cement at present. But other special varieties of cement such as rapid hardening cement and high alumina cement are used under certain circumstance. The cement should comply with all the standard requirements.
(2) Aggregates: These are the inert or chemically inactive materials which form the bulk of cement concrete. These aggregates are bound together by means of cement. The aggregates are classified into two categories: fine and coarse.
The material which is passed through BIS test sieve no. 480 is termed as a fine aggregate. Usually, the natural river sand is used as a fine aggregate. But at places, where natural sand is not available economically, the finely crushed stone may be used as a fine aggregate.
The material which is retained on BIS test sieve no. 480 is termed as a coarse aggregate. The broken stone is generally used as a coarse aggregate. The nature of work decides the maximum size of the coarse aggregate. For thin slabs and walls, the maximum size of coarse aggregate should be limited to one-third the thickness of the concrete section.
The aggregates to be used for cement concrete work should be hard, durable and clean. The aggregates should be completely free from lumps of clay, organic and vegetable matter, fine dust, etc. The presence of all such debris prevents adhesion of aggregates and hence reduces the strength of concrete.
(4) Water: This is the least expensive but most important ingredient of concrete. The water, which is used for making concrete, should be clean and free from harmful impurities such as oil, alkali, acid, etc. In general, the water which is fit for drinking should be used for making concrete.
