Effect Of Water Cement Ratio On The Compressive Strength Of Concrete By Using Different Types Of Coarse Aggregate

Abstract

Concrete is a composite material consisting of cement, sand, and coarse aggregates, commonly used in reinforced cement concrete (R.C.C) and plain cement concrete (P.C.C) works. This study presents an experimental analysis of the effects of different water-cement (W/C) ratios on the compressive strength of concrete using various types of coarse aggregates. A total of 36 concrete cylinders (4 in. × 8 in.) were prepared using two types of coarse aggregates—crushed local stone chips and pea gravel—and three different water-cement ratios: 0.40, 0.45, and 0.50. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Sylhet sand were used in all mixes to maintain consistency. The specimens were cast, cured, and tested at 7-day and 28-day intervals to assess the influence of water-cement ratio on strength development. Mixing and curing were done using potable water under controlled conditions. The key parameters of this study include variation in W/C ratio and type of coarse aggregate used. Results showed that a lower water-cement ratio (0.40) generally produced higher compressive strength, especially when combined with crushed stone chips, while pea gravel yielded comparatively lower strengths at all W/C ratios. The study highlights that both the type of aggregate and the water-cement ratio significantly affect the strength characteristics of concrete. Hence, determining the effective W/C ratio is crucial for optimizing concrete performance, ensuring durability, and maintaining quality control in construction practices