Maricopa Community Colleges  CON101   19952-20046 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 11/22/94
CON101 19952-20046 LEC 1 Credit(s) 1 Period(s)
Introduction to the Concrete Trade
Components and characteristics of concrete. Properties of portland cement, aggregates, mixing water and admixtures. Placing and finishing concrete. Prerequisites: Indentured status with the Arizona Concrete Contractor's Association or permission of the apprenticeship coordinator.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
CON101   19952-20046 Introduction to the Concrete Trade
1. Describe the components and characteristics of concrete. (I)
2. Explain how portland cement is produced and list and describe the types available. (II)
3. List the chemical compounds in portland cement and explain the characteristics of each compound. (III)
4. Describe the properties of portland cement. (IV)
5. Explain the use of aggregates in concrete and describe their characteristics. (V)
6. Describe the effects on concrete of specific chemicals which may be contained in mixing water. (VI)
7. Explain the purpose of admixtures in concrete and describe the function of specific admixtures. (VII)
8. Describe the procedures for placing and finishing concrete slabs and walls. (VIII)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
CON101   19952-20046 Introduction to the Concrete Trade
    I. Concrete components and characteristics
        A. Components
          1. Aggregates - sand and gravel
          2. Paste - portland cement and water
        B. Characteristics - freshly mixed
          1. Mixing
          2. Workability
          3. Consolidation
          4. Hydration
        C. Characteristics - hardened
          1. Moist curing
          2. Drying rate
          3. Strength
          4. Unit weight
          5. Drying shrinkage
          6. Other
      II. Portland cement
          A. Manufacture
            1. Mixing
            2. Heating
            3. Grinding
          B. Types
            1. Type I - general purpose
            2. Type II - sulphate resistant
            3. Type III - quick drying
            4. Type IV - slow drying
            5. Type V - highly sulphate resistant 6 Other
        III. Chemical compounds
            A. Tricalcium silicate
              1. Hydrates and hardens rapidly
              2. Provides early strength
            B. Dicalcium silicate
              1. Hydrates and hardens slowly
              2. Provides later strength
            C. Tricalcium aluminate
              1. High water libration
              2. Provides early strength
            D. Tetracalcium aluminofemite
              1. Reduce clinking temperature
              2. Rapid hydration
              3. Effects cement color
          IV. Properties of portland cement
              A. Fineness
              B. Soundness
              C. Consistency
              D. Setting Time
              E. False set
              F. Compressive strength
              G. Heat of hydration
              H. Loss on ignition
              I. Specific gravity
              J. Weight
              K. Other
            V. Aggregates
                A. Importance
                B. Types
                  1. Fine
                  2. Course
                C. Characteristics
                  1. Grading
                  2. Shape and texture
                  3. Weight and voids
                  4. Specific gravity
                  5. Absorption and surface moisture
                  6. Resistance to freezing and thawing
                  7. Wetting and drying properties
                  8. Abrasion and skid resistance
                  9. Strength and shrinkage
                  10. Resistance to corrosion
                  11. Fire resistance and thermal properties
                  12. Other
              VI. Mixing water for concrete
                  A. Criteria
                  B. Chemical effects
                    1. Alkali carbonate and bicarbonate
                    2. Chloride
                    3. Sulfate
                    4. Other salts
                    5. Organic impurities
                    6. Algae
                    7. Silt
                    8. Other
                VII. Admixtures
                    A. Purpose
                      1. Reduce cost
                      2. Enhance desirable properties
                      3. Ensure quality
                      4. Overcome emergencies
                    B. Function
                      1. Air- entraining
                      2. Water-reducing
                      3. Retarding
                      4. Accelerating
                      5. Super plasticizers
                      6. Finely divided mineral
                      7. Miscellaneous
                  VIII. Placing and finishing concrete
                      A. Placing
                        1. Subgrade preparation
                        2. Subbase
                        3. Vapor barriers
                        4. Depositing
                        5. Consolidation
                      B. Finishing
                        1. Screeding
                        2. Bull floating/darbying
                        3. Edging and joining
                        4. Floating
                        5. Troweling
                        6. Brooming
                        7. Patterns and textures
                        8. Curing and protection
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