Current Publications - Free leaflets
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Use of publications in this section: No material (which may include, but is not limited to, text, pictures and graphics) from this section may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded or distributed in any other way. You may, however, download one copy of a publication on a single computer for your personal, non-commercial use, provided that you keep intact all content and acknowledgment of copyright. Modification of the publications without C&CI's consent, or use of the publications for any other purpose, is a violation of C&CI's copyright.
Health and Safety
Guide to the safe use of portland cements and concrete - 2009
Concrete is the world's most widely used building material and workers in every construction sector as well as DIY enthusiasts handle cement and wet concrete every day. Like all materials, there are potential risks involved in handling cement and concrete. This leaflet identifies the areas of risk, provides guidance on how to avoid unprotected exposure, and outlines basic first aid procedures.
Downloadable pdf file: 65 kb
Cement
Cementitious materials for concrete: standards, selection and properties - 2009
Provides information on the standards that apply in South Africa to cementitious materials for concrete. Guidance is given on selection for various applications, includes graphs of strength performance, and discusses, briefly, the manufacture and properties of cementitious materials and fillers. The cementitious materials dealt with are all based on portland cement and many contain a "cement extender". Masonry cements are outside the scope of this leaflet since they are not intended for use in concrete.
Downloadable pdf file: 143 kb
Concrete General
Admixtures for concrete - 2009
Admixtures are chemicals which are added to concrete at the mixing stage to modify some of the properties of the mix. The leaflet covers the most common reasons to use admixtures and looks, in some detail, at the five types most commonly used in construction. The properties, dosage, uses and practical considerations for each type are discussed. Advice is also given on the design of mixes, storage and handling, dosage and dispensing of admixtures.
Downloadable pdf file: 74 kb
Concrete at home and on the farm - 2012
There are many small concrete projects which the home-owner can confidently tackle. This is a practical guide to making concrete for small jobs and covers the materials needed, how thick the concrete should be, how much is required, suggested mix proportions and how to go about mixing, placing and curing the concrete.
Downloadable pdf file: 349 kb
Concrete for precasting small items - 2012
Precasting is an economical means of producing high-quality concrete items. This leaflet gives information for small-scale precasting of relatively small unreinforced or reinforced items such as paving slabs, planks and elements for post-and-panel walling. It covers: choice of materials; mix proportions; and manufacturing processes including batching, mixing, transporting, placing, protecting, demoulding and curing.
Downloadable pdf file: 306 kb
Concrete, mortar and plaster mixes for builders - 2009
Presented largely in graphic form, this practical leaflet gives the proportions for large and small batches of concrete, mortar and plaster. It includes brief guidelines on quantities of materials to order.
Downloadable pdf file: 174 kb
Fibre-reinforced concrete - 2010
While concrete made with portland cement is strong in compression, it tends to be weak in tension and can also be brittle. The weakness in tension can be overcome by the use of conventional rod reinforcement and by the inclusion of sufficient volumes of certain fibres. This leaflet looks briefly at the concept of toughness, the use of fibres and the types of fibre and their properties.
Downloadable pdf file: 49 kb
Foamed cement - 2010
Foamed cement is a lightweight concrete which normally has a density of between 400 and 1 600 kg/m3(compared with about 2 300 kg/m3 for ordinary concrete). It is made of a cementitious material, a filler or aggregate and an aerated foam. It is also known as cellular or gas concrete.
Intended to give an appreciation of the material rather than offering a step-by-step method of manufacture, this leaflet briefly discusses materials for foamed cement, how it is produced, its properties and typical applications.
Downloadable pdf file: 19 kb
Monitoring concrete strength by the cusum system - 1996
The production of concrete must be controlled in such a way that strength specifications are met and materials costs are kept as low as possible. The cusum system is a practical means of meeting these requirements.
This technical guide, intended for concrete producers and readymix plant operators, deals mainly with monitoring the strength of a single grade of concrete (using a single set of materials) by the cusum system. Combining (or massing) results from several mixes into one cusum is dealt with briefly.
Downloadable pdf file: 64 kb
No-fines concrete: a practical guide - 2010
No-fines concrete (NFC) consists of coarse aggregate and cement paste. It has large interconnected voids and a much lower density than conventional concrete. Its structure makes it ideal for use as a drainage layer under reservoir and basement floors, as an insulating layer and as a damp-proofing material.
Information in the leaflet includes materials and mix proportions, manufacture, placing and compacting, protection, curing and screeding NFC.
Downloadable pdf file: 2.68 mb
Quantities for ordering building materials - 2009
Approximate quantities of materials required are given for: concrete; masonry walling; mortars, plasters and floor screeds.
Downloadable pdf file: 88 kb
Repairing the surface of concrete - casting defects and minor damage - 2010
This publication is Intended to assist those responsible for specifying, supervising or carrying out relatively superficial repairs to concrete. Types of defects and their causes are given as well as repairs of various types and the use of different materials. The selection of materials for repairs is discussed in an appendix.
Repairs to effect structural changes and repairs of cracks fall outside the scope of this leaflet. Repair materials are limited to formulations based on portland cement.
Downloadable pdf file: 64 kb
Tests on concrete - 2009
This leaflet has been prepared to assist the operator and describes, step by step, the procedures for carrying out the following tests: how to measure slump and how to make 150 mm cubes. The titles of the applicable SABS methods of test are given in the list of references.
Downloadable pdf file: 75 kb
Trial concrete mixes: proportions and quantities for ordering - 2010
Trial mix proportions for concrete made with four stone sizes and with strengths ranging from 10 MPa to 40 MPa are presented in tabular form. A field test for assessing and adjusting stone content is also given.
Downloadable pdf file: 23 kb
Domestic Applications
Building a fish pond - 2009
Covering the construction of a pond shell in concrete, the method described is suitable for ponds with a diameter or length of up to 5 metres. The leaflet provides notes on excavating, lining the excavation, manufacture and use of spacer blocks, mesh reinforcement and mixing and placing the concrete. Water circulation and filtration are not included, and it is strongly recommended that the reader obtain specialist advice on this aspect.
Downloadable pdf file: 71 kb
Building a pizza oven - 2010
This leaflet gives guidance on the selection of materials as well as providing step-by-step instructions on how to construct a pizza oven for home use.
Downloadable pdf file - 8 pages 0.3443 kb
Lay a concrete driveway at home - 2010
A well-laid concrete driveway will give at least 20 to 30 years' trouble-free service and can be laid quite easily by the ordinary homeowner. This publication describes briefly the preparation of the site, recommended concrete mixes, placing of the concrete, jointing and curing.
Downloadable pdf file: 49 kb
Making small garden ornaments in concrete - 2006
Explains how to produce garden ornaments weighing about 40 kg and manually movable by one person. The leaflet describes the equipment and materials required, how to prepare the pattern and make the mould as well as the steps involved in casting, demoulding and curing the ornament. In addition, guidance is given on how to colour the concrete and repair it if necessary.
Downloadable pdf file: 121 kb
Paving paths and patios - 2010
Well constructed paths and patios enhance any domestic property or garden, are practically free of maintenance and make a satisfying home improvement project.
All types of close-packed, cement based paving laid in a mortar bed are covered, and advice is given on selecting materials, preparing the site and choosing a suitable method of laying the paving. The leaflet excludes interlocking paving blocks laid close together on a sand bed without open joints.
Downloadable pdf file: 62 kb
Farm Structures
Concrete strip roads for the farm - 2009
Economical and durable all-weather roads, especially suitable for farms and rural areas, can be made with concrete strips laid as wheel-tracks. They can be built without expensive or sophisticated equipment and work can be done in short lengths as labour is available. Strip roads are a particularly useful means of making steep farm roads passable in all weathers.
Downloadable pdf file: 77 kb
Floors and Pavements
Repairing spalled joints in concrete floors - 2010
Gives guidance on the repair of spalled joints in concrete floors using portland cement concrete.
Downloadable pdf file: 272 kb
Sand-cement floor screeds and concrete toppings for floors - 2009
Sand-cement screeds and concrete toppings commonly used as a means of providing a smooth flat floor surface. The moderately theoretical and technical publication aims to provide the information needed by architects, engineers and contractors to specify and lay floor screeds and acceptable quality.
Downloadable pdf file: 165 kb
Masonry
How to make concrete bricks and blocks - 2011
Provides the technical information required to set up and run a blockyard for small-scale manufacture of masonry units. Aspects dealt with include the feasibility study, selecting and establishing a site, selection of equipment, materials for blockmaking, trial mixes, production and quality control.
Downloadable pdf file: 54 kb
Downloadabe pdf file: 306 kb
The manufacture of concrete paving blocks - 2009
This technical note covers basic principles and aims to assist manufacturers, particularly new manufacturers, to produce a durable and consistent product.
Downloadable pdf file: 58 kb
Mortars and Plasters
Common defects in plaster - 2009
Aimed at the homeowner who wishes to assess whether plaster is acceptable, and if not, what can be done about it.
Defects usually fall into one of the following categories:Non-structural and structural cracks; debonding; lack of hardness; grinning;expansion and popping. Causes of the most commonly occurring defects are discussed and repair methods for each are suggested.
Downloadable pdf file: 25 kb
Concrete, mortar and plaster mixes for builders - 2009
Presented largely in graphic form, this practical leaflet gives the proportions for large and small batches of concrete, mortar and plaster. It includes brief guidelines on quantities of materials to order.
Downloadable pdf file: 118 kb
Mortar mixes for masonry - 2009
Mortar binds bricks and blocks together to give strength and stability to a wall. The leaflet discusses briefly the required materials and mix proportions to give freshly mixed mortars the necessary softness and plasticity. It also covers batching, mixing and handling the mortar as well as quantities of materials to order for mortar mixes per cubic metre or per 50 kg bag of cement.
Downloadable pdf file: 25 kb
Successful plastering - 2012
Sand-cement plaster is used extensively in building work as a decorative or protective coating to concrete and masonry walls and concrete ceilings. This publication gives the technical information needed for successful plastering and covers selection of materials, mix proportions, surface preparation and plaster application for conventional architectural purposes. Special applications such as squash courts and swimming pools are outside its scope.
Downloadable pdf file: 258 kb
Sports Facilities
Concrete cricket pitches - 2012
Concrete provides a permanent solution to the problem of ever-increasing maintenance costs associated with the traditional turf pitch, whether for matches or for practice. The leaflet discusses pitch layouts, site preparation, concrete mixes and quantities, reinforcement, joints, placing and compacting, and finishing and curing the concrete.
Downloadable pdf file: 331 kb
Concrete tennis courts - 2012
Correctly constructed, concrete tennis courts can give many years of maintenance-free service. Aspects dealt with in this publication include choice and preparation of the site, setting out of the court and surround, construction of the concrete playing surface and various methods to obtain a colored finish.
Downloadable pdf file: 481 kb
Plastering squash-court walls - 2012
The plaster on playing walls of squash courts has to be hard and strong and its surface must be a true plane with a fine matt texture. This leaflet gives information on construction requirements, the plastering system, materials, batching and mixing, quantities of materials and repair of localised failures.
Downloadable pdf file: 306 kb
Sustainability
Sustainable concrete for human settlements - 2011
The global focus towards green building design has seen a rapid increase in the number of sophisticated and expensive alternative construction technologies aimed at improving the thermal performance of building.
Downloadable pdf file: 1.11 MB
Please complete the form below with all the relevant details.
Print this form out and fax or email to the address given below:
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PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Cement and Concrete Institute
PO Box 168
Halfway House
1685
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Tel: 011 315-0300
International: +27 11 315-0300
Fax: 011 315-0584
International: +27 11 315-0584
email: publications@cnci.org.za
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