Concrete Appreciation

BACKGROUND

Concrete has an extensive role to play both in the construction and improvement of civil engineering infrastructure. It is an extremely versatile material that is used on virtually every engineering project due to its great strength, durability and versatility.

As an everyday construction material it seems so simple - and yet concrete must be fit for a wide range of uses. Only if correct properties are achieved can successful concrete projects be realised.

OVERVIEW

This one-day course introduces delegates to the materials and properties of concrete, providing a basic understanding of important requirements for its production and use.

An overview of the material properties, performance, classification and design of concrete sets the scene for the course. The constituents are discussed in detail, including:

• Cement products
• Mixers
• Admixtures
• Aggregates

Key topics includes:

• The performance of both fresh and hardened concrete is discussed in detail
• The fresh properties enable the concrete to be mixed, transported, placed and compacted to meet its end use requirements
• The hardened concrete needs to match design requirements that can include the specification of any number of criteria including: strength, permeability, durability, fire resistance and finish
• The practical use and control of concrete is introduced

These sessions will focus on the production, transport, testing and quality control of concrete to ensure it meets the required performance requirements.

This course starts at 08:45 and finishes at 17:00 with refreshment breaks mid-morning and afternoon, plus lunch.

All timings, except the start time, are approximate and may be adjusted to suit natural breaks in the lesson.

Session 1  Introduction and setting of course objectives
Session 2  Composition of concrete
Session 3  Cements
Session 4  Aggregates
Session 5  Properties of fresh concrete
Session 6  Properties of hardened concrete
Session 7  Admixtures
Session 8  Concrete application and uses
Session 9  Preparation for ready mixed concrete
Session 10 Testing concrete - various methods

The tutor is a highly experienced civil engineer and independent consultant to the construction industry. He has considerable experience in all aspects of concrete including:

• Quarrying
• Pulverised fuel ash and ready - mixed concrete industries 
• Delivering industry lectures and training courses on a broad spectrum of concrete
• technology and applications.

At the end of this course delegates should:

• Have a broad appreciation of the use, performance and versatility of concrete in the construction industry
• Have a clear and concise understanding of relationship between cement, aggregates, mixers, admixtures and concrete
• Understand the essential requirements for the production of successful concrete
• Be able to identify the composition and properties of concrete to meet design specifications
• Appreciate the key factors that ensure effective transport and end use of concrete
• Appreciate various methods of concrete testing

Graduate engineers and construction professionals who require an introduction to concrete, its uses, applications and control in the construction industry.

This course is suitable for those in both a technical or non-technical capacity.