Mobility of concrete mixture (concrete): what it is, how it is measured, main methods of determination

For anyone working in construction, it is essential to comprehend how mobile a concrete mixture is. This characteristic directly influences how easy it is to work with the concrete and ensures that it fills molds and forms properly without leaving gaps or voids.

The term "mobility" describes the concrete’s capacity to spread and flow under its own weight or with little assistance. It is crucial to getting a level and smooth surface, which is necessary for any concrete structure’s structural stability and visual appeal.

Concrete’s mobility can be measured and ascertained using a variety of techniques. These techniques assist engineers and builders in determining whether the concrete mix is appropriate for a given project or if modifications are required. It is possible to avoid problems that could occur from using a mix that is too stiff or too fluid by using mobility evaluation to save time and resources.

This article will define mobility in concrete, discuss the significance of precise measurement, and go over the key methods for figuring out this attribute. By the time you’re done, you’ll know more about how to make sure your concrete mix is ideal for your building requirements.

Mobility – what is it

The capacity of the new concrete mixture, or its ability to fill the formwork and take on its shape without losing its homogeneity and monolithic quality, is its primary technological parameter.

Formability affects not only the speed of working with the material on the construction site, but also its constructive characteristics. With high viscosity in concrete, voids and pores will form, and with strong fluidity, the strength of the structure will be reduced.

The mixture’s plasticity—the ability to change shape without altering its structure—and mobility—the propensity to spread under its own weight—determine its capacity. Fresh concrete creates a viscous mass that exhibits both liquid and solid body characteristics at the same time because of its two-phase structure, which is a matrix of cement dough and fillers.

The matrix will have an amorphous structure if the cement paste has a high water content. To guarantee the required viscosity, the connections that will form when the cement hydrates will not be sufficient. The diluted mixture will evenly cover the surface of the container and fill it to capacity.

A substantial filler content will result in a rigid, low-mobility, and unyielding solution. Concrete’s rigidity is influenced by the dispersion of filler particles as much as their content (gravel, sand, etc.).

The surface area of the particles, which is coated in cement paste, increases with particle size. The concrete mixture cannot spread since adhesion processes take place at the matrix-particle interface.

The adhesion forces in the diluted cement will not be sufficient to maintain the viscous-liquid structure in a stable form if a filler containing too big particles is added. The homogeneity of the concrete will be adversely impacted by the liquid base’s relatively free spread between the filler particles.

Developers find that rigid concrete solutions are the most profitable because they permit the addition of dust and inferior fine filler. This reduces the need for pricey cement, but it also modifies the characteristics of the finished structure. The concrete worker examines the mixture’s mobility to ensure it reaches the required strength prior to pouring the formwork.

The ease with which a concrete mixture flows and fills molds or forms determines how well it can be compacted and placed. This property is essential to guarantee that the mixture fills all spaces without creating gaps that could compromise the integrity of the finished structure. A number of techniques are used to measure mobility, such as the slump test, which evaluates the mix’s consistency and workability. To get the best results in building projects, it is crucial to comprehend and manage the mobility of concrete.

Methods of determination

It is possible to determine the mobility of the concrete mixture in a laboratory setting as well as directly on the construction site.

Determination of elasticity with a cone

The easiest and most popular way to measure is to look at how much a concrete cone has settled.

The following order is followed when conducting the test:

  1. A wooden platform covered with galvanized metal and a galvanized cut cone 30 cm high and 10 cm and 20 cm in diameter (upper and lower parts, respectively) are taken.
  2. The inner surface of the form and the platform are wetted with water to prevent water adsorption from the solution.
  3. The cone is turned over with the wide part down.
  4. The form is filled in several stages with fresh concrete mixture through a funnel (after each stage it is necessary to carefully bayonet the layer with a metal rod to remove excess air).
  5. The funnel is removed, the concrete level is aligned with the edge of the form.
  6. The metal cone is carefully removed and placed next to the concrete.

The material settles under the force of its own weight until the adhesion and spreading forces are balanced.

Measurements are taken when the concrete form stops moving. One ruler is inserted into the concrete, and the other, supported by the metal form, is positioned perpendicular to the first.

The mobility is determined by measuring the difference between the two cones’ heights using the rulers’ crosshairs.

The concrete worker may use the method of diluting the solution if the fluidity is not sufficient. A departure from the recommended water content (0.4–0.5 of the cement mass) could lead to a reduction in the material’s strength.

Determination of elasticity by analyzing the monolith

The most time-consuming control method—checking a monolith can take up to a month—allows you to determine both technological and design parameters.

The following is how the test is run:

  1. Several wooden cube boxes with a side length of 10-15 cm are prepared.
  2. Each cube is placed on a flat surface, the inner surface of the forms is thoroughly moistened.
  3. Fresh concrete is poured into the boxes and then compacted by ramming. For additional shrinkage, you can lightly tap the walls of the forms with a hammer, providing a weak vibration compaction effect.
  4. The cube samples are dried for 28-30 days. Air humidity should be at least 90%, and the temperature should be at least 20°C.
  5. After hardening, the samples are sent to the laboratory to check the structural strength, homogeneity and the presence of defects.

Using a laboratory vibrating table

It is possible to perform laboratory tests on the mixture’s fluidity while crucial structures are being built. Vibrating tables are used for this purpose, compacting newly laid concrete.

There are two ways to evaluate the material’s mobility:

  1. Measuring the time of decrease to the mark on the scale. A concrete cone is formed on a vibrating table. A tripod is installed in the middle of it, on which a mark is applied and a disk is put on. The disk is not fixed and lies on the surface of the concrete. After turning on the vibrating table, the height of the concrete form begins to decrease. When the disk reaches the desired mark, the vibration device is turned off and the time is recorded.
  2. Measuring the time of filling the form. In this case, the formed cone is placed inside a metal cube with a side of 20 cm. After turning on the vibration, the concrete will compact and fill the form. The time is recorded when the surface of the material becomes horizontal, and the mixture fills the cube.

Classification and how it is designated

The letter "P" stands for concrete’s mobility. This criterion divides concrete solutions into five groups, P-1 through P-5. The number in the mobility grade indicates the material’s fluidity, which increases with material thickness.

Table of the mobility of a concrete mixture

Type of mixture Settlement of test cone, cm Where to pour Features
P-1 1-5 Monoliths with minimal configuration complexity Must be compacted by vibration

Zero cone settlement rigid and super-rigid mixtures (e.g., ΡΖ-2) are denoted by the symbols μ and ΡΖ. They are employed in a restricted range of works because of the technological challenges associated with laying formwork.

Aspect Description
Mobility of Concrete Refers to how easily the concrete can flow and be poured into molds or forms.
Measurement Mobility is typically measured using the slump test, which evaluates the consistency and workability of the concrete mixture.
Main Methods The main methods of determining concrete mobility include the slump test, flow table test, and Vebe test. Each method helps to assess how workable the concrete is under different conditions.

One important factor that affects how simple it is to place and compact concrete is the mobility of the mixture. This feature is essential for guaranteeing that molds or forms fill properly and without undue effort. Gaining an understanding of and managing the mobility of concrete can result in better building outcomes and more effective project management.

There are several ways to gauge a concrete mixture’s mobility, but the slump test is the most widely used. This test measures the amount that concrete slumps or spreads by placing it inside a cone-shaped mold and lifting it. The mobility of the mixture is indicated by the degree of slump, where larger slumps correspond to higher mobility. The flow characteristics of the mixture can also be ascertained through additional techniques such as the Vebe test and the flow table test.

Adjusting the mix design, including the water-to-cement ratio and the kinds of additives used, is necessary to ensure the proper amount of mobility for a given application. Builders can achieve the desired workability, strength, and durability of the concrete by carefully controlling these factors. A more consistent and dependable final product is produced when testing and adjustments are done correctly, helping to prevent problems like bleeding and segregation.

In general, any construction project must comprehend the mobility of the concrete mixture. Concrete’s quality and performance can be maximized, guaranteeing favorable results for a range of construction applications, by employing the right measurement methods and making the required modifications.

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Anna Vasilieva

Journalist with a technical education, specializing in construction topics. I can explain complex technical topics in simple and accessible language.

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