Visvesvaraya Technological University

BELGAUM, KARNATAKA

A PROJECT REPORT ON

“TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF WATER CEMENT

RATIO ON THE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE WITH
CHEMICAL ADMIXTURE”

Submitted to Visvesvaraya Technological University in partial fulfillment of

the requirement for the award of Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil
Engineering.

Submitted by:
FAISAL SHAIKH - 4JN21CV023
AHMED ALI KHAN - 4JN22CV400
MOHAMMED NAZISH IMAAN - 4JN22CV414
SYED YASEEN - 4JN22CV435
Under the guidance of:
Mr . ANAND B
Assistant Professor, Dept, of CIVIL ENGG,
JNNCE, Shivamogga

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 National Education Society ®
Department of Civil Engineering,
Jawaharlal Nehru New College of Engineering,
Shivamogga - 577204
November-
Jawaharlal Nehru New 2024
New College
College of Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Project entitled

“TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF WATER CEMENT

RATIO ON THE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE WITH
CHEMICAL ADMIXTURE”

Submitted by:
FAISAL SHAIKH - 4JN21CV023
AHMED ALI KHAN - 4JN22CV400
MOHAMMED NAZISH IMAAN - 4JN22CV414
SYED YASEEN - 4JN22CV435

The student of 7th semester B.E. Civil Engineering under our supervision and
guidance towards the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of
degree of Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering as per the university
regulations during the year 2021.

Mr. Anand B Dr. Karthika B S

Asst. Professor, H.O.D,
Dept. Of Civil Engineering Dept. Of Civil Engineering,
JNNCE, Shivamogga. JNNCE, Shivamogga.

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 CONTENTS :
1. INTRODUCTION
2. OBJECTIVES
3. LITERATURE SURVEY
4. METHODOLOGY
5. SCHEDULE OF WORKS
6. MATERIALS USED
7. MIX DEIGN FOR M20 GRADE CONCRETE
8. TEST PROCEDURE
9. REFERENCES

ABSTRACT

The strength of concrete is a critical factor in determining the overall

performance and durability of a structure. One of the key parameters

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 influencing the strength of concrete is the water-cement ratio (w/c ratio).
The w/c ratio refers to the ratio of the mass of water to the mass of
cement used in the mix, and it plays a pivotal role in determining the
hydration process and the ultimate strength of the hardened concrete. This
study aims to investigate the effect of varying water-cement ratios on the
compressive strength of concrete, with the incorporation of chemical
admixtures.

Chemical admixtures, such as superplasticizers, retarders, accelerators,

and air-entraining agents, are commonly used in concrete mixes to
modify its properties, such as workability, setting time, and durability.
The objective of this research is to explore how chemical admixtures
interact with different w/c ratios to enhance the strength of concrete,
especially under varied curing conditions. The study involves preparing
concrete mixes with different w/c ratios, ranging from low to high, while
incorporating a specified amount of chemical admixture into the mixture.

INTRODUCTION :

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials
worldwide, known for its versatility, durability, and strength. The strength of
concrete plays a critical role in determining the structural integrity and
longevity of the built environment. Among the various factors influencing the
properties of concrete, the water-cement ratio (w/c ratio) is one of the most
significant. The w/c ratio, defined as the ratio of the mass of water to the mass
of cement in a concrete mix, directly impacts the hydration process and,
consequently, the strength and durability of concrete. A lower w/c ratio
generally leads to higher strength, but it may reduce the workability of the mix,
making it more difficult to handle during construction.

LITERATURE :

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Effects of Retarding Admixtures on Low w/c Ratio Concrete (2021)
Ahmed et al. (2021)
examined the role of retarding admixtures in concrete mixes with low w/c
ratios under high-temperature curing (35-45°C). They prepared mixes with w/c
ratios of 0.30, 0.35, and 0.40 and dosed the retarding admixture at 0.5%, 1%,
and 1.5% by cement weight. The study observed that as retarder dosage
increased, the setting time was extended, which allowed for sufficient hydration
even in hot conditions.

Combined Effect of Chemical Admixtures and Supplementary

Cementitious Materials on Low w/c Ratio Concrete (2024)

Ghosh and Patel (2024): SCMs were added at 20% and 30%
replacement levels of cement to improve sustainability and reduce carbon
footprint. This research highlights the environmental and mechanical benefits of
using SCMs alongside chemical admixtures in high-performance, low w/c ratio
concrete, suitable for sustainable infrastructure projects.

OBJECTIVE :

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 1. To investigate the effect of different water-cement (w/c) ratios on the
compressive strength of concrete.
2. To evaluate the impact of incorporating chemical admixtures (e.g.,
superplasticizers, accelerators) on the workability and strength of
concrete with varying w/c ratios.
3. To determine the optimal w/c ratio that provides a balance between
workability and strength in concrete mixes with chemical admixtures.
4. To assess the influence of chemical admixtures on the hydration process
and microstructure of concrete with different w/c ratios.
5. To compare the compressive strength of concrete mixes at different
curing ages (e.g., 3, 14, 28 days) for various w/c ratios and chemical
admixture concentrations.
6. To explore how the addition of chemical admixtures can improve the
strength of concrete with higher w/c ratios, typically associated with
lower strength.
7. To provide recommendations for selecting the appropriate w/c ratio and
chemical admixture dosage for achieving desired concrete strength and
durability.
8. To analyze the impact of chemical admixtures on the porosity and
permeability of concrete with different water-cement ratios.
9. To contribute to the development of more sustainable and efficient
concrete mix designs that optimize both material costs and structural
performance

METHODOLOGY :

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 • Collection of Materials

• Physical Property Test

• Mix Design

• Casting

• Curing

• Testing

COLLECTION OF MATERIALS:

 Cement  Fine Aggregates

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 Coarse  Admixture-
Aggregates (Conplast)

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 SCHEDULE OF WORKS

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 Cement ACC 43 Grade

Specific Gravity of Cement 3.15

Coarse Aggregate 20 mm

Fine Aggregate Zone I

Specific Gravity of Coarse 2.68

Aggregate

Specific Gravity of Fine 2.60

Aggregate

Water Absorption 0.5%

a. Coarse Aggregate 1.0%
b. Fine Aggregate

Free Surface Moisture Nill

a. Coarse Aggregate 2%
b. Fine Aggregate

MATERIALS USED:-

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 Sl. N0 Items Quantity Quantity Quantity
for 1 m³ for 1 for 9
Mould Mould
1. Cement 390 kg/m³ 1.18 kg 15.40 kg
2. Water 155.63 0.526 lit 6.16 lit
lit/m³
3. Fine 830.37 2.80 kg 31.62 kg
Aggregate kg/m³
4. Coarse 1140 3.7 kg 43.39 kg
Aggregate kg/m³
5. Admixture 6.3 lit/m³ 0.021 lit 24.8 ml
s
Mix Proportions for M20 Grade Concrete: For 0.4 W/C Ratio :-

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 TESTING PROCEDURE

 Mixing: Initially materials are mixed according to their mix proportions

uniformly.
 Casting: Greased Moulds of dimensions (150x150x150)mm are filled
with mixture by 3 layers and leveled and tampered for 25 times each
layer.
 Setting: Moulds are allowed to set for 24 hours and removed.
 Curing: The removed blocks were kept for curing for 3,14 and 28 days in
water as per the planning of project.

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT

AIM: To determine the Initial and Final setting times of cement

APPARATUS: a. Vicat’s apparatus with plungers of 1.13 mm diameter and an

annular attachment. b. Vicat’s mould c. Measuring jar, electronic weighing
balance accurate to 1.0 g d. Trowel. e. Straight Edge

PROCEDURE:

1. Weigh about 400 g of dry cement and place it on a non absorbent surface.
2.Prepare the cement paste by adding water equal to 85% of normal consistency
(0.85P). A stop watch is started the moment water is added to cement. The time
of gauging of cement paste shall not be less than 3 minutes and not more than 5
minutes.
3. Fill the Vicat mould with the cement paste, the mould resting upon a non-
porous plate. Smoothen the surface of the paste, making it level with the top of
the mould.
4. Place the mould in the apparatus and a standard plunger of 1.13 mm diameter
and 50 mm length is attached and brought down to touch the surface of the test
block. The initial reading is noted and the plunger is allowed to fall into the
mould by its own weight. After the plunger has stopped moving, the final
reading is noted. The difference in the initial and final reading gives the
penetration value.
5.The above procedure is repeated at an interval of 5 minutes till such time the
plunger penetrates for a depth of 33-35 mm from the top.
6.The time elapsed from the time water is added to the cement and the time at
which the needle penetrates the test block to a depth of 33-35 mm from the top
is taken as the initial setting time.
7.Replace the 1.13 mm diameter needle of the Vicat’s apparatus by the needle
with annular attachment. Place the mould in the apparatus and the plunger with
annular attachment is brought down to touch the surface of the test block.

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF FINE AGGREGATE:-

AIM: To determine specific gravity of given fine aggregate.

APPARATUS: Balance & weights, Pycnometer, water and aggregate.

THEORY: Specific Gravity is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of

aggregate to the weight of an equal volume of water. Water, at a temperature of
73.4°F (23°C) has a specific gravity of 1.

PROCEDURE:

1. Take a clean and dry pycnometer with its cap and take weight i.e., W1g.
2. Take the pycnometer and fill the aggregate in the pycnometer of height of 1/3
rd of it, aggregate are sieve on 4.75mm IS sieve passed and retained on 75µ and
take weight as W2 g.
3. Then fill the water in pycnometer up to a hole of conical cap and remove all
air in pycnometer then take weight of pycnometer with fine aggregate and water
as W3.
4. Empty the pycnometer and clean it thoroughly then it is filled with the
distilled water up to a hole of conical flask and take weight i.e., W4 g.

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF COARSE AGGREGATE

AIM: To determine specific gravity of given coarse aggregate.

APPARATUS: Spring balance, wire basket, weighing balance, absorbent

cloth, oven.

PROCEDURE:

1. About 2kg of course aggregate sample is taken and washed thoroughly to

remove the fines, dried and then placed in the wire basket.
2. Weight of the aggregates and the wire basket is noted while suspending in
water, jolted 25 times and weighed i.e,A1 gm
3. Remove the aggregate and wire basket from suspension from the water. The
empty basket is then returned to the tank of water, jolted 25 times and weighed
in water i.e., A2 gm
4. Removed aggregates are placed on an absorbent cloth and dried till no further
moisture could be removed by the cloth; these aggregates should not be exposed
to sunlight or any other source of light.
5. The surface dried aggregates are then weighed i.e,, B gm
6. The aggregates are placed in the oven at 1050±50C for 24 hours and oven
dried aggregates are weighed i.e., C gm.

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga

 REFERENCE:-

1. Raman, S., & Sujatha, M. (2017). "Effect of water-cement ratio on the

mechanical properties of concrete with chemical admixtures."
International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 6(9), 649-
653.
2. Mehta, P. K., & Monteiro, P. J. M. (2014). Concrete: Microstructure,
Properties, and Materials (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
3. Neville, A. M. (2011). Properties of Concrete (5th ed.). Pearson
Education.

Department of Civil Engineering, JNNCE Shivamogga