CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 28

2 CHAPTER 2: MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES

2.1 Introduction
Concrete is used in constructing buildings, harbors, runways, water
structures, power plants, pressure vessels. In order to use concrete
satisfactorily, the designer, the site engineer, and the contractor need to be
familiar with construction materials and their technologies.
There are two common structural materials used in construction: concrete
and steel. They sometimes complement one another, and sometimes
compete with one another.
The man on the site needs to know more about concrete than about steel.
Steel is manufactured under controlled conditions in a sophisticated plant.
On a concrete building site, the situation is totally different. While the
quality of cement is guaranteed, transporting, placing, and compacting of
concrete greatly influence the final product. It is the competence of the
contractor and the supplier which controls the actual quality of concrete in
the finished structure.
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 29

2.2 Concrete
Concrete for reinforced concrete consists of aggregate particles bound
together by a paste made from Portland cement and water. The paste fills
the voids between the aggregate particles, and after the fresh concrete is
placed, it hardens as a result of exothermic chemical reactions between
cement and water to form a solid and durable structural material.
Although there are several types of ordinary Portland cements, most
concrete for buildings is made from Type I ordinary cement.
In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the use of other
chemical additives for cement dispersion, acceleration or retardation of
initial set, and improvement of workability. The so called Super-plasticizers
are being used in many applications where high strength concrete with
substantial slump is desired.
Aggregates are particles that form about three-fourths of the volume of
finished concrete. According to their particle size, aggregates are classified
as fine or coarse. Coarse aggregates consist of gravel or crushed rock
particles not less than 5 mm in size. Fine aggregates consist of sand or
pulverized rock particles usually less than 5 mm in size. Aggregates alone
exhibit a linear stress-strain relationship and so does the hydrated cement
paste. On the other hand, concrete exhibits a non-linear relationship due to
presence of interfaces and the development of micro cracking at the
interfaces under load, as indicated in Figure 2.1.
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 30

Figure 2.1: Stress-strain relations for cement paste,

aggregate, and concrete
Mixing water should be clean and free of organic materials that react with
the cement or the reinforcing bars in case of reinforced concrete. The
quantity of water relative to that of the cement, called water-cement ratio, is
the most important item in determining concrete strength. An increase in
this ratio leads to a reduction in the compressive strength of concrete as
shown in Figure 2.2.
It is important that concrete has workability adequate to assure its
consolidation in the forms without excessive voids. This property is usually
indirectly measured in the field by the slump test. The necessary slump may
be small when vibrators are used to consolidate the concrete.
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 31

Proper curing of concrete requires that the water in the mix is not to be
allowed to evaporate from the concrete until the concrete has gained the
desired strength.

Figure 2.2: Relation between compressive strength and

water-cement ratio of concrete

2.3 Mechanical Properties of Concrete

In this section, mechanical properties of concrete, including compressive
strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, shrinkage and creep will be
briefly covered.
2.3.1 Concrete Compressive Strength

The compressive strength of concrete f c′ is mainly affected by the water-

cement ratio, degree of compaction, age, and temperature. It is determined
through testing standard cylinders 15 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length in
uniaxial compression at 28 days (ASTM C470). Test cubes 10 cm × 10 cm
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 32

× 10 cm are also tested in uniaxial compression at 28 days (BS 1881),

shown in Figure 2.3.
The ACI Code is based on the concrete compressive strength as measured
by a standard test cylinder. Designers have to pay attention to make the
necessary transformation when concrete compressive strength is based on
the cube test. The concrete compressive strength as measured by the
standard cylinder test can be approximated by Eq.(2.1)
f c′ Cylinder = 0.80 f c′ Cube ( 2.1)

Figure 2.3: Cube and cylinder test specimens

2.3.2 Concrete Tensile Strength
The strength of concrete in tension is low compared to its compressive
strength. Tests have shown that the tensile strength ranges from 8 to 15
percent of the compressive strength f c′ .

Generally, the ratio of tensile strength to compressive strength is lower, the

higher is the compressive strength as indicated in Figure 2.4. There are
several factors which affect the relationship between the two strengths, the
main one is being the method of testing the concrete in tension, the size of
the specimen, the shape, surface texture of coarse aggregate, and the
moisture condition of the concrete. The large difference between the tensile
and compressive strengths of concrete is attributed to the formation of fine
cracks throughout the concrete.
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 33

Figure 2.4: Relation between tensile and compressive

strength of concrete
Tensile strength of concrete is important in structures where cracks are not
permitted, such as in the design of liquid containers.
2.3.2.1 Standard Tension Tests:
Three main tests are used to measure the tensile strength of concrete.
A. The Direct Tension Test
Direct tension tests are rarely used because of the problem of gripping the
specimen and due to the secondary stresses developing at the ends of the
specimens.
B. The Split Cylinder Test (ASTM 496)
In this test, a standard compression test cylinder 15 cm in diameter and 30
cm in length is placed on its side and loaded in compression along a
diameter until splitting occurs along the vertical diameter as shown in
Figure 2.5.
The splitting tensile strength f ct is given by

2P
f ct = ( 2.2)
π ld
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 34

where
P = maximum applied load
l = length of the cylinder
d = diameter of the cylinder

Figure 2.5: Split cylinder test

ACI R 11.2.1.1 gives an approximate value for f ct

′
f ct = 1.78 f c ( 2.3)

where f c′ is given in kg/cm2.

C. The Modulus of Rupture Test (ASTM C78)

In this test, a plain concrete beam 15 cm by 15 cm in cross section and 75
cm in length is loaded to failure in bending at the third points of a 60 cm
span as shown in Figure 2.6.
The modulus of rupture is given by
6M
fr = ( 2.4)
bh 2
where
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 35

M = maximum bending moment

b = width of specimen
h = depth of specimen.

Figure 2.6: Modulus of rupture test

ACI 9.5.2.3 gives an approximate value for f r

f r = 2 f c′ ( 2.5)

where f c′ is given in kg/cm2.

2.3.3 Modulus of Elasticity

The modulus of elasticity of concrete E c is defined as the ratio of normal

stress to corresponding strain for compression stresses below proportional
limit. Since the stress-strain diagram for concrete is nonlinear as evident in
Figure 2.7, the slope of the curve is variable, making the determination of
such modulus a tough task. The secant method is usually used to
determine E c , being the slope of the line drawn from a compressive stress
of zero to a compressive stress of 0.45 f c′ .

According to ACI 8.5.1 and for normal weight concrete

CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 36

Ec = 15110 f c′ ( 2.6)

where f c′ is given in kg/cm2.

Figure 2.7: Stress-strain diagram

2.3.4 Creep
Creep is defined as the long-term deformation caused by the application of
loads for long periods of time, usually years. The total deformation is
divided into two parts; the first is called instantaneous deformation
occurring right after the application of loads, and the second which is time
dependent is called creep. Long-term deformation increases at a slowing
rate for a period of two to three years with maximum value recorded at a
period of five years.
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 37

ACI 9.5.2.5 states that additional long-term deflection resulting from creep
and shrinkage of members under bending is determined by multiplying the
immediate deflection caused by the sustained load by a factor λ given by
ξ
λ = ( 2.7)
1 + 50 ρ ′
where
As′
ρ′ = is the compression reinforcement ratio
bd

As′ = cross sectional area of compression reinforcement

b = width of cross section

d = effective depth of cross section
ξ = time-dependent factor for sustained load.
λ = multiplier for additional long-term deflection.

Figure 2.8: Long-term deflection multipliers

CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 38

The time dependent factors ξ are given at different periods of time

3 months --------------- 1.00
6 months --------------- 1.20
12 months-------------- 1.40
60 months-------------- 2.00
Creep can be reduced through using high-strength concrete, good curing of
concrete, and using reinforcement on the compression side of the cross
section as evident in Eq. (2.7). Multipliers for long-term deflection are also
given in Figure 2.8.
2.3.5 Shrinkage
Shrinkage of concrete is defined as the reduction in volume of concrete due
to loss of moisture. If the concrete member is not restrained, no stresses will
be produced. On the other hand, stresses will be developed in case of
restraining the concrete member in any form. Once the allowable tensile
stresses are exceeded, tension cracking will take place.
Shrinkage can be reduced through using a low water-cement ratio, good
curing of concrete, nonporous aggregates, shrinkage reinforcement, and
expansion joints.
ACI 7.12.2.1 specifies that a minimum shrinkage and temperature
reinforcement ratio of 0.0018 is to be used in one-way slabs perpendicular
to the main reinforcement (for f y =4200 kg/cm2).

2.4 Reinforcement
Steel and steel alloys are widely used as construction materials throughout
the world. Steel is an iron-carbon alloy with the carbon content less than 2
%. Structural steel is an alloy with carbon content ranges from 0.80 % to 2
%. Cast iron contains more than 2 % of carbon, thus characterized by its
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 39

hardness and brittleness. Steel has three main uses in construction;

structural steel, forms, pans, and steel reinforcement.
The low tensile strength of plain concrete, a brittle material, results in
limited structural applications since most structural elements carry loads
that create tensile stresses of significant magnitude. The addition of high-
strength ductile reinforcement that bonds strongly to concrete produces a
tough ductile material capable of transmitting tension and suitable for
constructing many types of structural elements, e.g., slabs, beams, and
columns.
Most concrete members are reinforced with steel in the form of bars. Steel
reinforcement imparts a great strength and toughness to concrete.
Moreover, reinforcement reduces creep and minimizes the width of cracks.
2.4.1 Properties of Steel Reinforcement
Steel reinforcement in the form of longitudinal bars is used to resist tensile
forces resulting from direct tension and/or flexure. Reinforcement is also
used to resist stresses resulting from shear and/or torsion. In some cases,
reinforcement is used to resist compressive stresses.
Reinforcement comes in two forms; round steel bars or welded wire fabric
WWF. When bars have smooth surfaces, they are called plain, and when
they have projections on their surfaces, they are called deformed.
Round bars come in diameters ranging from 6 mm to 50 mm.
Reinforcement is to be free from mud, oil, or other nonmetallic coatings
that decrease bond. Table 2.1 shows weights and cross sectional areas of
different bar sizes.
Welded wire fabric is a prefabricated reinforcement welded together to
form rectangular or square mesh, usually used in slab or wall
reinforcement.
The most important mechanical property of steel reinforcement is the yield
stress f y . Mild steel has a well-defined yield stress on the stress-strain
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 40

curve, while high strength steel does not have a well-defined yield stress as
shown in Figure 2.9. For high strength steels, ACI 3.5.3.2 defines the yield
stress as the stress corresponding to a strain of 0.0035. Grade 4200 kg/cm2
and 2800 kg/cm2 are the commonly used steel grades in our region. Since
the cost of producing the two grades are about the same, grade 4200 kg/cm2
is the most commonly used as main reinforcement. When crack widths are
to be minimized through reducing reinforcement stresses, grade 2800
kg/cm2 is to be preferred over grade 4200 kg/cm2.
The modulus of elasticity E s is defined as the slope of the stress-strain
curve.
ACI 8.5.2 gives the modulus of elasticity for mild and high strength steels
as
Es = 2.04 × 106 ( 2.8)

where E s is given in kg/cm2.

Figure 2.9: Stress-strain relation for steel reinforcement

CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 41

Table 2.1: Properties of reinforcing bars

Cross – sectional area (cm2 )
φ Weight
Number of bars
Kg/m
mm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6 0.222 0.28 0.57 0.85 1.13 1.41 1.7 1.98 2.26 2.54 2.83

8 0.395 0.50 1.01 1.51 2.01 2.51 3.02 3.52 4.02 4.52 5.03

10 0.617 0.79 1.57 2.36 3.14 3.93 4.71 5.5 6.28 7.07 7.85

12 0.890 1.13 2.26 3.39 4.52 5.65 6.79 7.92 9.05 10.2 11.3

14 1.210 1.54 3.08 4.62 6.16 7.7 9.24 10.8 12.3 13.9 15.4

16 1.580 2.01 4.02 6.03 8.04 10.1 12.1 14.1 16.1 18.1 20.1

18 2.000 2.54 5.09 7.63 10.2 12.7 15.3 17.8 20.4 22.9 25.4

20 2.470 3.14 6.28 9.42 12.6 15.7 18.8 22.0 25.1 28.3 31.4

22 2.980 3.80 7.60 11.4 15.2 19.0 22.8 26.6 30.4 34.2 38.0

25 3.850 4.91 9.82 14.7 19.6 24.5 29.5 34.4 39.3 44.2 49.1
CHAPTER TWO MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES 42

2.5 References
2-5-1 Neville, A.M., Properties of Concrete, London, Longman, 1981.
2-5-2 Neville, A.M. and Brooks, J.J, Concrete Technology, London,
Longman, 1994.
2-5-3 Shah, S.P. and Winter, G., Inelastic Behavior and Fracture of
Concrete, Symposium on Causes, Mechanism, and Control of
Cracking in concrete, American Concrete Institute, Sp.
Publication No. 20, pp. 5-28, 1968.
2-5-4 Joint Tech. Information Letter No. 155, Washington D.C, Natural
Sand and Gravel Association, 29th April 1959.
2-5-5 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (318-99)
and Commentary (318 R-99), Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA,
American Concrete Institute, 1999.
2-5-6 Notes on ACI 318-99: Building Code Requirements for Structural
Concrete with Design Applications, Skokie, Illinois, USA,
Portland Cement Association, 1999.
2-5-7 Mindess, S. and Young, J.F., : Concrete, Englewood Cliffs, New
Jersey, USA, Prentice-Hall, 1981.
2-5-8 Leet, K. and Bernal, D., Reinforced Concrete Design, Singapore,
McGraw-Hill Company, 1997.