Concrete is prepared from constituent materials like cement, water, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and other enhancing materials that improve specific aspects of the concrete. The quantity of cement and water is mainly responsible for the properties of the concrete being prepared like strength, workability, durability, heat or radiation resistance of an individual type of concrete.
A concrete mix is generally prepared by following two mixing procedures, Nominal Mix and Design Mix, which involves mixing of appropriate proportions of constituent materials to achieve the desired quality. The nominal mix is prepared for minor construction processes such as small houses. The typical mix proportion used for preparing a nominal mix is 1:2:4(cement:sand:aggregate) based on either weight or volume of the materials.
PCC in Construction
Plain Cement Concrete, also known as Normal Cement Concrete is a mixture whose constituents are cement, fine aggregate(sand), coarse aggregate and water only. There is no type of reinforcement embedded inside or mixed with the concrete due to which it cannot be used for the construction of columns, beams, slab, etc that have to bear tensile load.
This type of concrete is only capable of withstanding compressive loads and because of this it can be used for the construction of floors, retaining walls, roads, etc. It has quite low toughness index, flexural rigidity, yielding strength, etc.
RCC in Construction
Reinforced Cement Concrete can be considered to be PCC which has been equipped with reinforcements. Steel is the best suited reinforcing material for concrete because both of them have minor differences in their thermal coefficient for expansion which enables them to work as a unit instead of two separate units.
RCC is suitable for the construction of bothe tensile as well as compression elements such as columns, beams, slabs, etc, and has high toughness index, flexural rigidity and yielding strength. Due to the introduction of steel reinforcements the depth of the concrete section can be reduced, thereby reducing overall cost.
DPC in Construction
Damp Proof Course is similar to PCC which is provided below the plinth level of a building or structure to prevent movement of moisture or dampness through the walls and floors. The depth of DPC provided for buildings is about 50mm and is kept at about 1 ft from the ground value or as specified in the design of structure.
DPC does not serve any purpose of bearing loads of any kind, it is only provided to protect the wall and floor from penetration of moisture. DPC can also prevent the movement of water into the superstructure from the ground due to the capillary action of water.