ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the properties when freshly mixed, between placing and setting, and during the early stages of hydration. Civil engineers are responsible for the production, transport, placing, compacting and curing of fresh concrete. Experience in mixing, handling and placing fresh concrete quickly gives concrete workers a subjective understanding of its behaviour and an ability to recognise ‘good’ and ‘bad’ concrete. In general, higher-consistence concretes are easier to place and handle, but if higher consistence is obtained, for example, by increased water content, then a lower strength and/or durability will result if no other changes to the mix are made. The cone is lifted off, and slump is defined as the downward movement of the concrete. In hot weather, the initial concrete temperature can be reduced by cooling the constituents before mixing and the concrete can be transported in cooled or insulated trucks.
