Slide 1

WORKABILITY :
Factors Affecting


We all know the strength, stability, and durability of concrete depends upon the degree of
compaction. So it is so important that the fresh concrete can be properly compacted easily.
It must be easily mixed, transported, placed compacted and finish it.


Slide 2

the amount of useful internal work necessary to
produce full compaction
CONSISTANCY
- Term used for describe the firmness of form of a
substance or the ease with which it will flow.
The word workability get its full meaning when we
specify the type of work, thickness of section, extent
of reinforcement and mode of compaction.


The useful internal work is the work or energy required to overcome the internal friction
b/w the individual particles in the concrete. But in practice additional energy is required to
overcome the surface friction between concrete and the formwork or the reinforcement.
Also, wasted energy is consumed by vibrating the form and in vibrating the concrete which
has already been compacted.
consistency often used loosely for workability - It is a general term to indicate the degree
of fluidity or the degree of mobility. but concretes of the same consistence may vary in
workability.
A concrete which is considered workable for concrete foundation is not workable for roof
construction, or even in roof construction, concrete considered workable when vibrator is
used, is not workable when concrete is to be compacted by hand. Similarly a concrete
considered workable when used in thick section is not workable when required to be used in
thin sections. So the word workability assumes full significance of the type of work,
thickness of section, extent of reinforcement and mode of compaction.




Slide 3

1) Water content
2) Mix Proportion
3) Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate
4) Size of aggregate
5) Shape of aggregate
6) Surface Texture of aggregate
7) Grading of aggregate
8) Use of Admixtures
9) Mixing time
10)Temperature




Slide 4

WATER CONTENT
Flow of the concrete increased.
Inter-particle lubrication is increased.
Hence workability increased.
It Is one of the most easiest corrective measures.
But it is not desirable.
Causes segregation & bleeding.
As a last option it can be done by
adding higher qty of cement so
that W/C ratio remains constant
hence strength remains same.


Water content is a main factor, since by simply adding water the inter-particle lubrication
increases and flow of the concrete increases so workability increases. In sites its common
tendency to add water to make the mix loose hence workable. But it is not advisory becoz it
will cause segregation, bleeding and directly effect the strength and durability. It can be
done if all the other correction methods such as aggregate type and grading fails.. With
adding cement along with water so that water cement ratio remains constant.



Slide 5

Mix Proportion (Aggregate/cement ratio)
The higher the aggregate/cement ratio, lower
will be the workability.
Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate.
Porous and non-saturated aggregate will
require more water than a non-porous and
saturated aggregate. For same degree or
workability, the latter will require less quantity
of water.


The higher the aggregate/cement ratio, the leaner is the concrete, Less quantity of paste is
available for providing lubrication, hence the mobility of aggregate is restrained. It wont be
that much easy to mix and pour it.



Slide 6

Size of the Aggregate
Bigger size Low Surface area Less amount of
water for wetting the surface and absorption also
less.
And Also less paste is required to provide
lubrication to reduce friction
So BIGGER SIZE aggregate - HIGHER WORKABILITY
Note : This is upto a certain limit since we will have
to consider handling, mixing and placing
equipment, thickness of section and
quantity/spacing of reinforcement.




Slide 7

Shape of the Aggregate
Angular, Elongated & Flaky low wokability
Round & cubic - better workability
Surface Texture of Aggregate
The total surface area of rough textured aggregate
is more than the surface area of smooth rounded
aggregate of same volume.
Hence rough textured aggregate will show poor
workability


finer particles require more water to wet their larger specific surface, whilst the irregular
shape and rougher texture of an angular aggregate demand more water than, say, a rounded
aggregate.
the total surface area of rough textured aggregate is more than the surface area of smooth
rounded aggregate of same volume.



Slide 8

Grade of the Aggregate
Well graded less voids more cement paste
available for lubricating effect Higher
workability.
The better the grading, the less is the void content and
higher the workability.


A well graded aggregate is the one which has least amount of voids in a given volume.



Slide 9

Use of Admixtures
Plasticizers and superplasticizers greatly
improve the workability many folds.
Air entraining agents reduces internal friction
Fine glassy pozzolanic materials such as fly ash
give better workability.


Air entraining agents reduces internal friction Since air bubbles act as a sort of ball
bearing b/w particles to slide each other so better mobility to particles.
the fine glassy pozzolanic materials, offer better lubricating effects for giving better
workability.



Slide 10

Conclusion
W/C high - high workability
Lower the aggregate/cement ratio, higher will be the
workability.
Non porous and saturated aggregate.
BIGGER SIZE aggregate - HIGHER WORKABILITY
Round & cubic aggregate - better workability
Smooth and Rounded surface aggregate higher
workability
Well graded aggregate shows higher workability
Admixtures also can increase workability
Workability is different in different kind of works




Slide 11

Thank you