Chapter 1 Materials Used to Cast Concrete 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Portland cement 1.2.1 Manufacture of cement clinker 1.2.2 Composition of Portland cement clinker 1.2.3 Types of Portland cement 1.2.4 Technically important properties of Portland cement-testing and specifications 1.2.5 Hydration 1.2.6 Correlation microstructure properties 1.2.7 Chemical degradation reactions 1.2.8 Strength classes and early strength 1.3 Aggregates 1.3.1 Aggregate characteristics and their significance 1.3.2 Density and apparent specific gravity 1.3.3 Absorption and surface moisture 1.3.4 Crushing strength, abrasion resistance, and elastic modulus 1.3.5 Soundness 1.3.6 Size and grading 1.3.7 Deleterious substances 1.4 Water 1.5 Admixture 1.5.1 Nomenclature, specifications, and classifications 1.5.2 Air-entraining surfactants 1.5.3 Water-reducing surfactants 1.5.4 Set-controlling chemicals 1.6 Mineral admixtures Questions and exercises References Chapter 2 Fresh Concrete 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Workability 2.3 Measurement of workability 2.3.1 Slump test 2.3.2 Vebe test 2.4 Factors affecting the workability and their control 2.4.1 Water content 2.4.2 Cement content 2.4.3 Aggregate characteristics 2.4.4 Admixtures 2.5 Segregation and bleeding 2.5.1 Measurement 2.5.2 Causes and control 2.6 Slump loss �� 2.6.1 Cause of slump loss 2.6.2 Control of slump loss Questions and exercises References Chapter 3 Curing of Concrete 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Curing methods and materials