In order to develop concrete, binding materials and inert materials are amalgamated with water. Therefore, the quality of concrete is dependent on the water and its quality as well as quantity. Water to cementitious materials ratio in concrete is most vital to ascertain the strength and longevity of concrete.
Water is essential to drench the surface of aggregates to form adhesive quality because the cement paste affixes instantly and suitably to the wet surface of the aggregates as compared to a dry surface. Also water plays a vital role to produce plastic mixture of the different components with the purpose of passing on workability to concrete so that it can be arranged in the preferred position. In due course, by making a chemical reaction with cement, water facilitates to form the desirable properties of the concrete.
Generally, consideration is not given to the quality of the water though water is very vital to detect the strength of the final product. It is a general conception that any potable water is ideal for being applied in concrete formation. But, if only non-potable water is usable, it is suggested to check the water to determine its contents and acquire necessary steps to provide possible adversarial effects on the final concrete.
Though water with little acidic nature is not harmful, but highly acidic or alkaline water must not be used as it may provide adversarial effect over the reinforcing of concrete. Water blended with algae should not be used as such water may lead to entrainments which sequentially can reduce the concrete strength. It is observed that sea water minimizes the long-lasting strength of the cement, though it is calculated to be just 15%. Water containing If, huge amount of chlorides are included in water, it results in creating perpetual dampness and surface efflorescence and also corrosion of steel utilized in concrete.
Thus, the available chemical components in water may actively form the chemical reactions and thus influence the setting, hardening and strength development of concrete. So, it is recommended to verify the quality of water in order to maintain the superior quality of concrete.
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