The document provides an introduction to concrete as a construction material. It discusses the history and origins of concrete, highlighting its use in ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. The document outlines the key advantages of concrete such as its widespread availability, engineering properties, durability, and ability to be molded into different shapes. Some disadvantages mentioned include the carbon dioxide emissions from cement production and concrete's lower strength compared to steel. The objectives of the lecture are also stated as explaining the basic concepts of concrete, and discussing its advantages and history.

1. University of Salahaddin/ College of Engineering 2015-2016
Dept. Of Dams & Water resources Engineering By: Goran Adil
Ch1: Introduction To Concrete Construction Material 1
Lecture No. 01
Subject: Fundamentals of Concrete
Objectives of Lecture:
1. To explain the basic concepts of concrete
2. To explain Advantage and disadvantage of Concrete
3. History of Concrete
Introduction
Concrete is one of the construction materials that has been known by the man
from long period of time. Many studies and researches have been made to
overcome most of its disadvantages and to reach the concrete which is known
today. In the early decades of the twentieth century, the materials of concrete
have been improved and many specifications and standard methods for testing
these materials have been approved as well as the properties of the fresh and
hardened concrete have been studied deeply. Through this century studies have
been made to overcome the disadvantages of the fresh and hardened concrete by
using concrete admixtures. Now, intensive studies are being done all over the
world to develop this important material which is used widely in all
construction fields.
Advantages of the concrete and being on the top of the list of building
materials:
1) The raw materials of the concrete are available in large quantities in all
the countries. This leads to economical production of the concrete.
2) The concrete has good engineering properties in most cases and the ability
to modify some of these properties according to work environments.
3) The concrete has high resistance to the surrounding environmental
condition as well as the properties of the concrete are continuously
improved with age.
4) The concrete can be loaded after putting it in forms with short period
because of the rapid increasing in its strength.

2. University of Salahaddin/ College of Engineering 2015-2016
Dept. Of Dams & Water resources Engineering By: Goran Adil
Ch1: Introduction To Concrete Construction Material 2
5) It is easy to get any shape because the fresh concrete is poured in the
moulds and the forms so it takes its shape after hardening.
6) The concrete has high bond strength with the imbedded materials like
reinforcing steel, metallic and polymeric elements.
7) The concrete protects the imbedded materials like the reinforcing steel
from corrosion
Disadvantages of concrete:
1. The concrete needs cement and the production of cement produces CO2
which contaminates the atmosphere and the soil.
2. The concrete has lower strength of the steel therefore we need to make large
sections to resist the same load which makes concrete buildings very heavy.
3. The concrete undergoes volumetric changes with time which may produce
different types of cracking
4. The concrete is a brittle material so when it fails a sudden collapse may
happen.
5. The time needed to construct a building with concrete is longer than that
required with steel.
For all these reasons, the engineers should be familiar with this material and
have to learn the methods of design and implementation of concrete as well as
the quality control of concrete.

3. University of Salahaddin/ College of Engineering 2015-2016
Dept. Of Dams & Water resources Engineering By: Goran Adil
Ch1: Introduction To Concrete Construction Material 3
The History of Concrete
CONCRETE
HISTORICAL
TIMELINE
3000 B.C.-
PRESENT
3000 B.C.
Egyptians used mud mixed
with straw to bind bricks. They
used gypsum and lime mortars in the
pyramids.
300 BC- 476 AD
Applian Way, Roman
baths, the Colosseum and
Pantheon used Pozzalana cement.
Animal fat, milk and blood were used as
admixtures.
1824
Joseph Aspdin of England
invented portland cement by burning
ground chalk with finely divided clay
in a lime kiln until carbon dioxide is
driven off. The product was then ground.
1836
The first systematic test
of tensile and compressive
strength took place in Germany
1867
Joseph Monier of France
reinforced flower pots with wire
ushering in theidea of iron
reinforcing bars.
1793
John Smeaton used hydraulic
lime to rebuild Eddystone
Lighthouse in Cornwall, England

4. University of Salahaddin/ College of Engineering 2015-2016
Dept. Of Dams & Water resources Engineering By: Goran Adil
Ch1: Introduction To Concrete Construction Material 4
1886
First rotary kiln was introduced
in England, which allowed for
continuous production of cement.
1889
First concrete reinforced
bridge was built.
1891
First concrete street in the
USA was placed in Bellefontaine,
Ohio by George Bartholomew
1936
First major concrete dams,
the Hoover Dam and Grand
Cooley Dam, were built.
1992
Tallest reinforced building
( 946 ft) constructed in
Chicago, IL
1967
First concrete dome sport
structure constructed at the
University of Illinois, Assembly Hall.