All About Plain Cement Concrete(PCC)

With technological evolution and the breakout of several modern construction methods, including Contech, several fundamental building methods are left out!

Not every concrete is used in home construction. You may have heard of RCC and what is rcc structure? Reinforced Cement Concrete, one of the Contech methods of building construction, and we have plain cement concrete(PCC), which is not very common when it comes to home construction.

Plain cement concerte(PCC) with its simple mix of water, cement and aggregates is renowned for its strength and durability. Along with the mixing of sand, cement and gravel, with water, plain cement concrete is known for its unbreakable strength.

So,

What is Plain Cement Concrete?

Plain Cement Concrete(PCC) is a construction material that is a mix of cement, gravel, and water, forming an unbreakable, versatile material used in the construction of roads, pavements, and walls in home construction.

PCC is widely used for foundations, pavements, footpaths, and other applications where moderate strength and durability are required. It's known for its versatility, affordability, and ease of use. However, compared to reinforced concrete, PCC lacks the strength to handle heavy loads or resist tension, making it unsuitable for major structural elements.

Plain Cement Concrete - Uses

As mentioned above, plain cement concrete is used in several constructions that require moderate durability and strength. Some of the uses of plain cement concrete are as follows:

• Foundation of building: Plain cement concrete or PCC is majorly used as the base for the foundation of building structures. The plain cement concrete ratio for the foundation is usually 1 part cement, 3 part sand and 6 part other aggregates, i.e., 1:3:6 ratio.

• Pavements: Pavements, such as - parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, commonly use the plain cement concrete material for their construction. The plain cement concrete ratio for the pavement foundation is also 1:3:6.

• Retaining walls: Retaining walls are the structure built to protect from soil erosion. Usually plain cement concrete is used in the construction of retaining walls.

• Canal lining: Plain cement concrete is used to line canals and waterways to prevent erosion and seepage. It creates a smooth and impermeable surface that minimizes water loss and maintains the flow.

• Floor slabs: Plain cement concrete Is used in the construction of floor slabs, especially for commencing a smooth and flat slabbing.

• Precast elements: PCC can be used to manufacture precast concrete elements like slabs, pipes, and drainage channels. These prefabricated units offer efficient and cost-effective construction solutions.

• Bridge: In order to withstand heavy load and harsh environment, every bridge construction uses plain cement concrete to maximise its durability.

• Water tanks: For restraining the weight of water and for water resistance, most of the water tanks use plain cement concrete(PCC) as its base material.

Chech out some of the prominent cement companies in India!

Plain Cement Concrete - Advantages & Disadvantages

Plain cement concrete has its pros and cons. Let's check out some of the advantages and disadvantages of plain cement concrete(PCC).

Advantages:

• Durability: What makes plain cement concrete(PCC) ideal for the applications that are exposed to harsh environment, is its advantage of durability. And that is one of the reasons why structures like pavements, foundations and retaining walls use plain cement concrete material.

• Strength: Though compared to reinforced concrete, plain cement concrete shows less strength components, it offers good compressive strength and it can hold a significant amount of strength, making it ideal for slabs, footing and foundation.

• Cost-Effectiveness: PCC is a relatively inexpensive material compared to other options. The readily available ingredients and simple mixing process contribute to its budget-friendly nature.

• Versatility: PCC can be easily shaped and moulded to fit various construction needs. It can be used for diverse applications, ranging from foundations and pavements to drainage ditches and precast elements.

• Ease of Use: PCC is relatively simple to mix and place on-site, requiring minimal special equipment or skilled labour. This makes it a practical choice for various construction projects.

• Fire Resistance: PCC offers good fire resistance, acting as a barrier against the spread of flames within a structure. This adds to the overall safety and resilience of buildings.

• Low Maintenance: PCC requires minimal ongoing maintenance compared to other materials. Proper installation can last for decades with occasional cleaning and repairs.

Disadvantages:

• Low tensile strength: One of the major drawbacks of plain cement concrete is its less tension. That is one of the reasons why plain cement concrete is not suitable for big structural elements, such as beams and slabs.

• Brittleness: Plain cement concrete tends to break down with minimal warning, making it not suitable for potential structure, and it usually deforms before breaking.

• Limited application: Due to insufficient comprehensive strength, plain cement concrete is only applicable for fewer structures. It can only be used for structures with moderate strength and durability.

• Susceptibility to Cracking: Several factors can contribute to cracking in PCC, including temperature changes, shrinkage during curing, and uneven settlements. These cracks, though not always structural failures, can compromise the aesthetics and durability of the concrete.

• High Weight: PCC is a heavy material, adding significant weight to the overall structure. This can be a disadvantage for projects requiring lightweight solutions or where weight limitations exist.

• Time-Consuming Curing: PCC requires time for proper curing and hardening, which can impact project timelines. This period can range from several days to weeks, depending on the weather and mix design.

• Environmental Impact: The production of cement, a key ingredient in PCC, has a significant environmental impact due to CO2 emissions. While advancements are being made, it's important to acknowledge this drawback.

Plain Cement Concrete vs Reinforced Cement Concrete - PCC vs RCC

You may have a brief idea about Plain Cement Concrete(PCC) as well as reinforced cement concrete(RCC), am I right?

But a little comparison won't be heard!

What is the difference between RCC and PCC?

As you may know, RCC, i.e., reinforced cement concrete, is an advanced concrete mix used for high-value structural building. The normal CC, cement concrete is further enforced with the help of steel bars or rods, forming the RCC structure.

As for PCC, the plain cement concrete, as the name suggests, is normal cement concrete without the enforcement of steel bars or rods in it. Compared to reinforced cement concrete, plain cement concrete offers less durability and strength.

Compared to PCC, ACC is more expensive, as it uses reinforced steel in the concrete mix. Also Check out some of the sought-after steel companies in India.

To summarise, ACC is for more complex and long-lasting use, while PCC is mainly used for primary structures like foundations, pavement, etc.

So folks, this is all you need to know about plain cement concrete(PCC).

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