Ratio of Water and Cement

Water cement ratio are often defined because the ratio of the quantity of water to the quantity of cement utilized in a concrete mix. Water features a great role on the strength and workability of concrete. After many experiments it's been found that for a selected proportion of materials during a concrete mix, there's a particular amount of water that provides maximum strength.

A slight change within the amount of water causes far more differences within the strength of concrete. If less water is employed , the resultant concrete are going to be nearly dry, hard to put within the form and should create difficulties in compaction. Besides this, with less water proper setting won't be guaranteed and thus the strength of concrete get reduced considerably.

On the opposite hand, if water is employed more, it's going to develop larger voids and honey-combing within the set concrete, during this way decreasing its density, durability, and strength. Hence, water cement ratio attends a crucial role in producing concrete of required strength. The lower the ratio, the greater is that the strength of concrete.

As per British Standard Specifications : Water-Cement Ratio