RCC

UNIT III
Concrete:
Structural concrete is the most commonly used construction
material, used up at a rate of about one ton for every living human
being. Man uses no material other than water in such tremendous
quantity. Concrete is the most important building material, playing
a part in all infrastructure projects. It can be molded into different
Concrete is a heterogeneous
shapes using suitable formwork.
mixture of cement, fine aggregate
(sand), coarse aggregate (boulders
or gravels) and water
which solidifies into a strong mass
due to the Hydration of Cement.
Apart from these components, large
number of additives
called admixtures are also added to
enhance the properties of concrete
Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC)
Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) is a composite building
material consisting of structural concrete reinforced with a
reinforcing material like steel. The most common reinforcement
used is steel, due to its complimentary properties and it is
called steel reinforced cement concrete or simply Reinforced
Cement
Types ofConcrete.
Reinforcement Used in
RCC:
1. Mild Steel Bars: Mild steel bars
are generally bent easily without
breaking at the bends. They are
available in different diameters,
but you have to check if they
meet the requirements of the
applicable codes regarding
2. Hot Rolled Bars: Hot rolled bars are specially prepared
reinforcements. Compared to mild steel bars, their tension
strength is nearly twice as high and is commonly available in
thick sections. They can be bent without developing any
defects when heated to up to 100°C, but using regular mild
steel bars is not achievable.

3. Cold-Worked Bars: The cold-worked steel bars are formed

into twisted or stretched shapes with long ribs or other
structures running the length of them. Additionally, their
characteristic strength is significantly higher than mild steel
bars’, at approximately 425 N/mm2 instead of 250 N/mm2.
These bars might not be heated in order to bend and re-bend.

4. Steel Fabric: Steel fabrics are made with different types of

bars and wires such as indented and deformed wires, plain
round wires, and deformed steel bars of cold-worked bars
etc. These wires are made into mesh by carefully and strictly
welding straightened lengths together in compliance with the
specifications. If proper care should be not taken, there could
be a negative impact on the mechanical characteristics of the
reinforcement.
Why is Reinforced Concrete better than Concrete?
Plain concrete is strong in compression, but it is weak in
bending. Too weak that its tensile strength is around one tenth
of its compressive strength. When plain concrete member is
subjected to bending, it develops cracks and ruptures. Tensile
strength is defined as the ability to resist bending forces.
Bending forces causes tensile stresses in flexural members like
beams and columns. Plain concrete when reinforced with steel,
which is more than hundred times stronger than concrete in
tension, the overall capacity of plain concrete in bending is
enhanced.
The steel bars compensate the concrete’s incapability for tensile
resistance, effectively taking up all the tension, acting
monolithically with concrete. So, when concrete and steel bars
combine to act against forces result in good strength. Similar to
how human bones reinforces the flesh and mass around it.
What is reinforced concrete used for?
Reinforced concrete is used for all structural members subject to
bending. From simple building components like Beam, Columns,
Slabs, shear walls and Foundations to heavy structures like
bridge piers, girders and dams are constructed with reinforced
cement concrete. Reinforced cement concrete can be insitu
concreted or precast concrete.
RCC is the most practical and affordable material for various
Buildings Marine Structures
building applications, such as:
Precast Works
Bridges Bunkers and Silos
Roads Chimneys and Towers
Water Tanks Pipes and Conduits
Flyovers Retaining Walls
Floating
Structures
Foundations
Advantages of Reinforced Cement Concrete

1. Strength: It is among the best building materials because of its

excellent tension and compression strengths.

2. Durability: The RCC structures are long-lasting and durable. It can

endure for up to 100 years and is not impacted by snow or rainfall.
Because RCC has a low permeability, it can withstand substances like
carbon dioxide, sulfates, and chlorides that dissolve in water without
having significant deterioration.

3. Ductility: The reinforcement bar gives the ductility to the reinforced

concrete structures. When reinforced concrete is overloaded, its ductility
appears as distress in the form of cracks and deflection. This gives the
engineers the opportunity to think of ways to prevent concrete damage to
it.

4. Versatility: At the construction site, the concrete can be shaped into the
desired shapes, forms, surfaces, textures, and sizes using shuttering or
formwork configuration. When concrete is made, it is liquid, which makes
it more suited for a variety of architectural needs.

5. Cost-Effective: The components of RCC are inexpensive and widely

accessible worldwide. The cost of production is also extremely low. It is
extensively utilized because reinforced concrete lasts a long time and
requires less maintenance. In addition to being resilient and long-lasting,
reinforced concrete uses less energy, resulting low operating costs of the
Disadvantages of Reinforced Cement Concrete
The following are the disadvantages of reinforced cement
concrete:
1. RCC structures are normally heavier than those made of steel,
wood, or glass.
2. RCC buildings require a lot of labor and site or workspace to
fix because they require massive formwork, centering, and
shuttering.
4. Mixing, casting, and curing
3.
areItthe
takes time
three for RCC
primary to reach
steps to its maximum strength. Thus, it
cannot
make be use concrete
reinforced right away after construction.
which
all influence its ultimate
strength.
5. When compared to other
methods, the forms needed for
casting RCC are expensive.
6. Strength loss and the
Factors To Consider Before Using RCC
1. Requirement of Strength: Determine your requirement for the
strength of the concrete according to the intended use of the
structure and design specifications. Take into account variables
like structural stability, environmental conditions, and load-
bearing capacity.

2. Quality Standards: Make sure the reinforced cement concrete

fulfils all necessary quality standards and requirements. Hence,
you have to verify that the manufacturer or supplier complies
with strict quality control standards and holds the necessary
certifications. By doing this, you can make sure that the concrete
meets the required performance, strength, and durability
requirements, guaranteeing a dependable and superior building
material.

3. Mix Design: Understand the design of the concrete mix,

including the amounts of water, admixtures, cement, sand and
aggregates. Check whether the concrete mix design complies with
the needs and specifications of your project. Think about the
important factors like desired strength, workability, and setting
time.
Different Types of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC)

1. Steel-Reinforced Concrete: In this type of RCC, steel reinforcement is

embedded to hold the concrete together. It prevents large cracks and
adds overall strength. The major use of steel-reinforced concrete is to
combine the compressive strength of concrete with the tensile strength
of steel to carry heavy loads, such as footings, foundation walls, and
columns, driveways with heavy traffic, carport floors, and large shed
floors.

2. Fibre-Reinforced Concrete : Fibre-reinforced concrete is generally used

in pavement overlays and for new construction. It is prepared with a
combination of cement, sand, aggregates, water and other fibrous
materials, such as glass fibres. Using steel or alternative fibre in
preference to steel rods for reinforcement can reduce the overall cost.
Fibre-reinforced concrete is used in prefabricated concrete structures,
concrete reactor pressure vessels, blast-proof structures, machine
frames, tunnel liners, and thermal impact-resistant structures.

3. Pre-Stressed Concrete: Pre-stressed concrete is a highly advanced type

of reinforced concrete that combines the strength of concrete and steel
to prevent cracking and reduce brittleness. This is achieved through a
process called pretensioning, where high-strength steel is stretched
before concrete is poured around it and allowed to harden.
The benefits of pre-stressed concrete include:
• High compressive strength
• No tension cracks
Methods of Reinforced Cement Concrete Structure Construction
RCC construction methods commonly involve the following major steps:
1. Layout: To build RCC elements like RCC columns/pillars at the construction
site, the layout must be surveyed and marked with grid lines for column
marks.

2. Mixing: Proper mixing of cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures to

get the desired concrete strength and consistency is very important. This can
be achieved on-site or by using ready-mixed concrete.

3. Reinforcement Work: Reinforcement involves placing steel bars (rebars) or

mesh within the concrete to provide tensile strength and improve the overall
structural integrity. The process involves cutting and bending steel bars to
the required length to fit into the design specification. Positioning the rebars
within the formwork according to the structural drawings. Securing the
rebars with binding wires to maintain their position during concrete pouring

4. Formwork: An integral part of the construction process is the building of

temporary molds to hold the concrete in place until it hardens. Formwork,
whether made from timber, steel, or plastic, is not just a tool, is used to
shape and support the structure during the curing process.

5. Pouring Concrete: Pouring the concrete into the formwork can be done
manually or with the help of a pouring machine or pump. The appropriate
type of compaction of the concrete should be performed properly to remove
air bubbles or voids and ensure uniform distribution. The compaction of
concrete can be mechanical, with vibration, or by using self compacting
 Precast Concrete Cast-in-situ Concrete

01. Precast concrete is cast into a specific shape Cast-in-situ concrete is cast into forms on the
Definition at a location other than building site like building site. It offers unlimited possibilities to
factories. The concrete is placed into a form, the designer for any shape formation with a
typically wood or steel, and is cured. These limitless selection of surface textures.
components are then transported to the
construction site for erection into place.
Precast concrete can be plant-cast or site-
cast.
02. • In the precast concrete, elements are • In the cast-in-situ concrete, column, slab
Casting manufactured in a controlled casting etc. elements are casted on site in the
environment and hence it is easier to open environment and hence it is difficult
control mix, placement and curing. to control mix, placement and curing.
• Elements can be cast in advance and held • Elements cannot be casted in advance.
until the hour you need them, thereby • Weather condition can delay the casting
saves time. work.
• Weather condition has no effect on casting
work.
03. Quality Quality can be controlled and maintained easily. Quality control and maintenance is
Control difficult.

04. Cost • Precast concrete is cheaper form of • In situ concrete is cheaper form of
construction if large structures are to be construction for small structures.
constructed. • Maintenance cost of cast-in-situ
• Maintenance cost of precast concrete concrete structure is less compared
structure is higher. to the precast concrete structure.

05. • Less labours are required. • More labours are required.

Requirement • Skilled labours are required at construction • Skilled labours are required at
of Worker & site. construction site.
Machinery • Skilled and technical contractor is required • Local contractors can also build the
for construction of the precast concrete structure.
structure. • Cast-in-situ concrete does not require
• Precast concrete requires heavy machinery such handling equipment.
and cranes for handling i.e. lifting and
installation of heavy elements
06. Strength • Precast concrete construction is quick as it • In situ concrete construction is slow
can be installed immediately and there is as gaining of strength requires time.
no waiting for it to gain strength. • Increase in strength at situ by
• Increase in strength can be achieved by accelerated curing is a difficult task.
accelerated curing. • On site strength test is required.
• On site strength test is not required. • It will difficult to use high strength
• High strength concrete can be used concrete as it depends on site
because it is in controlled condition. condition and resources available.
07. Time of • Total construction time is less as • Total construction time is more as
Construction compared to cast-in-situ. compared to precast.
• Speedy construction is possible. • Speed is less as elements are casted at
site.
08. Technical • Large number of joints in structural • Less number of joints present in structural
Points system. system.
• Less resistant to Earthquake and wind • More resistant to earthquake and wind
forces not recommended where seismic forces.
loads are dominant. • Elements cannot be casted in advance.
• In precast concrete construction, details at • Elements are not to be designed for any
the joint become very critical and needs such loads or stress.
careful attention. • There is constraint in length and shape of
• The elements have to be designed for element.
handling stress or loads during handling, • In situ concrete offers a monolithic
which may or may not increase steel. architectural character.
• Elements of varying lengths and shape
can be developed.
• Precast concrete does not offer a
monolithic architectural character.
09. Surface Precast concrete gives smooth interior finish In the cast-in-situ concrete construction, you
Finishing hence they need minimum preparation have to do plaster for the smooth finish and
before paint, wallpaper etc. or the other wall also requires pre-preparation for a paint
coverings can be applied directly. like wall putty etc.

10. Points to • One has to meticulous during work with In the cast-in-situ concrete construction, be
Be Taken precast concrete because the precast careful about following points:
Care of unit can be damaged during • During the concreting process like mixing,
transportation and handling. transportation, placing, finishing etc.
• Curing of concrete for certain time etc.