Water Cement Ratio – Explained in Detail

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Water Cement Ratio is the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of cement used to prepare 1 unit of concrete. It is essentially the weight ratio and not the volume.
The water/cement ratio primarily governs the strength of concrete. More water added to make concrete higher will be the w/c ratio and the lesser will be the strength.

These facts were first studied in 1918 AD by Abrams. Abrams also said that the relation between the Water/Cement ratio and strength is not linear.

Method to Calculate the Water/Cement Ratio

If 2 bag of cement is used to prepare some random amount of concrete and for that 60 liters of water is consumed then the calculation is as below.

The weight of cement used to prepare concrete is – 100 kg
The weight of water used to prepare concrete is – 60 kg [as 60 liters water is used]

W/c = 60/100 = 0.6

The Water cement ratio has no dimension as it is a weight to weight ratio.

Following is an image giving an idea about the water/cement ratio and strength as per IS-10262:2019.

Water cement ratio v/s strength chart. Where water/cement ratio influences the strength of the concrete.
Water Cement Ratio v/s Strength of The Concrete

Read Also-
Types of Cement, and their properties and applications

Soundness test on cement as per Indian Standard

Most widely use admixtures use for concrete

Different types of cement and their applications

Ready Mix Concrete and its advantages and disadvantages


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