What Is Plum Concrete?

The article aims to answer the question, “What is plum concrete?”. It will also discuss the applications and properties of plum concrete. Read on to know more:

A combination of wet concrete and a plum stone is called plum concrete or cyclopean concrete (large, strong, and clean natural coarse aggregate or boulders of roughly 300 mm or larger). Plum accounts for 30-40% of the overall concrete mass.

Incorporating plums into concrete decreases hydration temperature without sacrificing its structural integrity. There are several uses for plum concrete, such as gravity dams, embankments, foundations, and filling deep or uneven terrain. As a result, it’s a more affordable option than traditional concrete.

This is the most basic kind of concrete. It is made by combining cement, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates in the correct proportions. Concrete that uses medium- to large-sized stones as filler instead of aggregates is known as plum concrete.

Including considerable rocks in the concrete mix is the sole distinction between normal cement concrete and plum concrete. It serves as a filler, decreasing the need for tiny, high-priced aggregates. Thus, the cost of concrete may be reduced.

It is possible to make Plum concrete, also known as Rubble concrete or Cyclopean Concrete, in two methods. In either case, the plum may be added to the concrete mix during the mixing process or put on top of a layer of standard concrete, and then the second layer of concrete is spread on top of that. To avoid air traps, care must be used while setting the plums in the concrete. Following is a broad description of the manufacturing process:

What are the properties of plum concrete?

The properties of plum concrete are:

You’ll have to go elsewhere if you’re looking for anything less than a half-inch thick. The project, the availability of materials, and engineering considerations all have a role in determining the final size.
Plum concrete is best made using stones that have an angular form.
No grease or dirt on the plum should interfere with the correct adherence or bonding to the concrete.
It is acceptable if the material is strong enough to stand the test of time and does not include any structural problems or flaws.
A plum should also contain signs of wear and aging, like rounded edges.

How to place plum concrete?

To place plum concrete:

Apply water to the area before applying plum concrete. The anti-termite substance should be sprayed next, which is critical to the foundation of a building.
The bottom of boulders should be immersed in at least two layers of concrete to prevent cavities at the bottom.
After that, the natural stones are carefully arranged, so they don’t accidentally fall into the concrete underneath them. Keep the gap between stones or the form they are attached to under 50 mm.
Layers of concrete are poured till the desired depth is reached.
A maximum of 900 mm should be the maximum thickness of any one layer.
Plum concrete must be cured for at least seven days before being used.

What are the applications of plum concrete?

The most typical applications of plum concrete are:

Reduce building expenses by leveling large pits or uneven surfaces at the bottom of foundation excavations. You may use cheap yet sturdy materials to get to the bottom of the foundation.
Establish a solid foundation by laying concrete foundations and footings.
Concrete dams, bridge piers, side slopes, and barriers use rumble concrete, a kind of large-scale concrete installation.
Plum concrete, a mixture of 150 mm boulders and at least 173 kgm3 of cement, has been utilized to build a dam.
Reduce the cost of large-thickness Portland cement concrete.
This technique is used in machine foundation building to ensure the stability of both the base and the machine.
In the building of water channel beds, it’s a common material.

How is plum concrete made?

Continue reading the article to understand how plum concrete is made;

Medium to big stones of up to 300mm or greater is used as filler to create plum concrete. You may avoid using excessive cement by increasing the apparent yield of concrete while maintaining the same level of strength thanks to this technique. Plums are the name given to the vast stones utilized. Mass concrete is made from these plums.

However, no more than 30-40% of the overall volume of the completed concrete should be made up of plums. Rubble concrete and Cyclopean concrete are other names for Plum concrete. The Plum should not exceed one-third of the cross-section of the concrete mixer.

Technically, “Cyclopean concrete should be created using a combination of 60% plain concrete and 40% big stones,” according to the United States of America. At least 180 kg/cm2 of plain concrete must be used on the 28th day, and all ingredients must be soaked before mixing. The ASTM requirement for stone material must be met, and the concrete design will determine the specifications.

What is the difference between plum concrete and plain cement concrete?

The primary difference between PCC and plum Concrete is the inclusion of pebbles in the concrete mix. It reduces the need for pricey coarse aggregates by acting as a filler ingredient. As a result, PCC is more affordable.

Medium to big stones of up to 300mm or greater is used as filler to create plum concrete. To prevent using too much cement without sacrificing strength, it is used to enhance the apparent yield of concrete for a given quantity of cement.

Plums are the name given to the enormous stones utilized. Mass concrete is made from these plums. However, no more than 30-40% of the overall volume of the completed concrete should be made up of plums. Rubble concrete and Cyclopean concrete are other names for Plum concrete. The Plum should not exceed one-third of the cross-section of the concrete mixer.

Angular rock pieces with a maximum size of 60 percent of a layer of pour thickness are placed in the concrete after at least two layers of wet concrete have been completed, well-shaped, and thoroughly washed while maintaining a distance of more than 1.5 times the largest aggregate size in the concrete.

On the other hand, plain concrete, also known as PCC or plain cement concrete, is the most frequent choice for paving and flooring. Cement is a mixture of cement, aggregate, and water, and the varied kinds of aggregate and the ratio of materials used will provide distinct types of cement.

A prominent selling feature of ready mix concrete is the ability to accurately measure and monitor the aggregate values and kinds to provide the required characteristics with no deviation. Production may be made more efficient while also reducing the risk of human mistakes.

Conclusion

A combination of wet concrete and a plum stone is called plum concrete or cyclopean concrete (large, strong, clean natural coarse aggregate or boulders of roughly 300 mm or larger). Plum accounts for 30-40% of the overall concrete mass.

There are several uses for plum concrete, such as gravity dams, embankments, foundations, and filling deep or uneven terrain. As a result, it’s a more affordable option than traditional concrete.

Frequently asked questions (FAQS): What is plum concrete?