COURSE CONTENT
DAY 1

Module 1: Introduction to Concrete
○Basic components of concrete (cement, aggregates, water, admixtures)
○Hydration process and strength development
○Types of cement and their applications
○Influence of water-cement ratio on concrete properties
○Fresh concrete properties (workability, slump, setting time)
○Hardened concrete properties (compressive strength, durability)

Module 2: Concrete Defects and Troubleshooting
○Common concrete defects (cracking, scaling, segregation, bleeding, honeycombing)
○Causes and prevention of these defects
○Troubleshooting techniques and repair strategies
○Case studies: Analyzing real-world examples of concrete problems and solutions

Module 3: Introduction to Concrete Mix Design
○Principles of mix design
○Factors affecting mix design (strength requirements, exposure conditions, workability)
○ACI method of mix design (overview)
○Importance of quality control in concrete production

DAY 2

Module 4: Mix Design Calculations
○Step-by-step guide to mix design calculation procedure in a simple and most common used formula
○Selection of materials and proportions
○Calculation of water content, cement content, and aggregate proportions
○Adjustments for admixtures and special requirements
○Hands-on exercises: Performing mix design calculations for different scenarios

Module 5: Mix Design Optimization
○Optimizing mix designs for cost efficiency (cement replacement materials, aggregate optimization)
○Enhancing durability (admixtures for specific exposure conditions)
○Sustainability considerations in concrete mix design (reducing cement content, using recycled materials)
○Advanced topics: Self-consolidating concrete, high-performance concrete
○Case studies: Examining optimized mix designs for various projects