Concrete Reviewer – Division 03
Summary Reviewer
1. Cementing Materials
• Lime – calcined limestone → quicklime (CaO), slaked with water → hydrated lime
(Ca(OH)₂). Improves workability, reduces shrinkage. Hydraulic lime sets under water.
• Gypsum – calcined → Plaster of Paris or hard wall plaster. More plastic with lime/fiber.
• Cement – Romans first; modern Portland cement invented 1824 by Aspdin. Types: slow-
setting, quick-setting (high early strength), sulfate-resisting, white cement.
2. Storage of Cement
• Store on raised wooden floor (300mm above ground).
• Keep dry; avoid lumps.
• Max 12 sacks per pile.
3. Concrete
• Definition – mix of cement, water, aggregates. With reinforcement = RC, without = plain.
• Qualities – strong, durable, uniform, sound.
• Materials – Cement (tested for fineness, tensile strength), Aggregates (fine <6mm, coarse
>6mm), Water (clean, no salt).
• Water-cement ratio – 5–7 gallons/sack (avg. 6.5). Lower = stronger.
4. Slump Test
• Measures workability (consistency).
• Cone: 300mm high, 200mm base, 100mm top.
• Slump ranges: Pavements 25–75mm; Beams/columns 75–150mm; Foundations 50–
125mm.
5. Proportioning
• Methods: Arbitrary (least scientific), By water-ratio & slump, By water-ratio, slump &
fineness modulus.
• Class AA: 1:1.5:3 (retaining walls).
• Class A: 1:2:4 (slabs, beams, columns).
• Class B: 1:2.5:5 (walls >100mm, footings).
• Class C: 1:3:6 (plant boxes).
• Class D: 1:3.5:7 (mass concrete).
6. Mixing, Transport & Curing
• Machine mixing better than hand-mixing.
• Avoid segregation in transport.
• Curing: 7–14 days, keep moist.
7. Admixtures & Forms
• Retarders (slow set), Accelerators (fast set), Air-entraining agents (workability, freeze-
thaw resistance).
• Forms: strong, rigid, leak-proof, removable.
8. Processed Concrete
• Precast, Prestressed, Lightweight.
• Lightweight aggregates: expanded shale, perlite, vermiculite, sawdust.
Sitework Reviewer – Division 02
Summary Reviewer
1. Site Investigation
● Purpose: Understand soil & site conditions before design/construction.
● Tests include:
- Soil classification & compaction.
- Water table & drainage conditions.
- Load-bearing capacity.
- Subsurface investigation (borings, test pits).
2. Earthwork
● Excavation
- Removing soil/rock for foundations, basements, trenches.
Types:
- Open excavation (large area).
- Trench excavation (narrow/linear).
- Pit excavation (small/deep).
● Shoring & Bracing
- Temporary supports to prevent soil collapse.
- Common systems: sheet piling, soldier piles with lagging, trench shoring.
● Dewatering
- Removing groundwater during excavation.
- Methods: sump pumping, well points, deep wells.
3. Backfilling & Compaction
● Backfill: returning soil after excavation.
● Compaction: increases soil density & stability.
● Equipment: tampers, rollers, vibratory compactors.
● Prevents settlement & increases load-bearing capacity.
4. Grading
● Shaping ground to desired slope/level.
● Ensures proper drainage & site stability.
● Cut & fill balance important to minimize hauling.
5. Soil Stabilization
● Improves soil strength & durability.
● Methods:
- Mechanical (compaction, mixing soils).
- Chemical (lime, cement, bitumen).
- Geotextiles (reinforcement).
6. Foundations (Overview)
● Improves soil strength & durability.
● Methods:
- Mechanical (compaction, mixing soils).
- Chemical (lime, cement, bitumen).
- Geotextiles (reinforcement).
