Lesson 3 Research
Lesson 3 Research
1. Background Narrative
Working in groups, students will research concrete topics on the internet, and then share the
information they have gathered on their group’s concrete topic with the entire class. By the end of the
lesson students should have a solid grasp of the information covered in each concrete research topic.
This will give students a basic understanding about some of the physical properties and how concrete is
made and tested,
Note: If you need to make some groups larger than others, make groups 1 and 2 larger, there is more
information in their topics.
This information sharing can be done quickly by having students just report their answers while other
students fill in their worksheets. If an assessment is desired, groups could prepare overhead
transparencies or PowerPoint slides of the answers to their sections and present to the class. If this is
done, students should get a copy of the grading rubric that will be used so they know what is required.
2. Performance Objectives
• Students will be able to determine what information is relevant and necessary to understand in
order to solve our problem.
• Students will be able to apply the new knowledge to the process and problem.
3. Standards:
• NYS Integrated 2.1, 2.2, 5.3, 5.5
• US Science: 2.3
• US Technology: 1.3, 3.2, 4.1, 5.4
4. Resources
• Key Concept Worksheet
• Student Research Worksheets, along with the answer key
• Computers and Internet access
• Blank overhead transparencies or PowerPoint access
5. Vocabulary:
hydration Compression strength
curing Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)
Concrete – A heterogeneous mixture of cement, water, and aggregate.
Cement – The “glue” that holds the concrete together.
Fine Aggregate - Generally consist of natural sand or crushed stone with most particles ranging in size
from 0.025 to 6.5 mm.
Course Aggregate - Any particles greater than 4.75 mm, but generally range between from 6.5 to 38 mm
in diameter.
6. Instruction Plan
Introduction: (5 minutes)
Since maximizing discussion time is important for this lesson the introduction should be kept short.
Simply recap what you told the students last lesson about what they are to do today. Explain that we
will go through the work sheet in its entirety and the group that researched a given topic will be
responsible for explaining the answers to those questions to the class (either just saying the answers or
– preferably – standing in front and presenting the answers on an overhead), while the rest of the class
writes down the answers on their own work sheet packets. Also explain that students will be given a
grade based on student participation in class discussion, and correctness and completeness of group
answers. (provide rubric if used) Remind students that they will be tested on this material at the end
of the unit, so they need to record the answers!
Hand out key concept worksheet. If time permits go over the key concepts worksheet with the students
and ask if there are any questions about it. Tell students to save these! Inform them that there will be a
test at the end of this unit over this material!
Closure:
Review what the students learned through questioning. Focus on what they now know about the
ingredients in concrete (cement, water, sand and gravel – cement and water critical for making
“concrete,” sand and gravel really just fillers to reduce the cost - cheaper than cement). They’ve used
the web as an information resource . Was it effective? Was it efficient (quick)?
Tomorrow we will learn more about aggregates and how we can use waste materials as aggregates.
Concrete Research
Key Concepts
Name _____________________________ Date ______________________
Clarkson Partnership
Key Concepts:
• The ratio of water to cement in most concrete mixtures is about 0.5:1 by weight. For
example, if you used 2 pounds of cement in your concrete you would need to add 1
pound of water to your mixture.
• In most concrete mixtures sand is used as a fine aggregate and pea stone is used as a
course aggregate.
• During the curing process concrete gains most of its strength. Concrete hardens due to
hydration. Hydration only occurs if there is enough water to react with the cement. For
this reason concrete needs to be kept wet during curing, by frequent watering and
covering with wet cloth or plastic to hold in moisture.
• Concrete is usually tested after 7 or 28 days of curing. By the 28th day the concrete has
gained most of its strength. Concrete’s strength is most commonly tested by
compression, and measured in PSI.
Concrete Vocabulary:
• Concrete – A heterogeneous mixture of cement, water, and aggregate.
• Curing – The chemical process required for the hydration of cement. This process takes
a period of time, which is referred to as “curing”.
• Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) – The unit used to measure the compressive strength of
concrete.
Concrete Web Research
Look through this website to help you answer the questions below:
{See the list of sites at the end of this document and give each group the relevant site.}
[We created a webpage that has all the web links to the concrete sites - to eliminate the need for
students needing to type the url addresses – saves lots of time!]
If your group finishes your section try the extra credit or find the answers to some of the other
questions. Also feel free to help other groups out that are having trouble finding answers to their
questions.
Group 1. Cement and Concrete
What is the name of the chemical reaction that takes place in concrete?
What are the two ingredients that take part in this reaction?
There is more than one type of cement, list the name and type of the most common form used for
general purposes.
Group 2. Concrete Mixture
Approximately what percentage of concrete’s volume is made up of coarse aggregates, fine aggregates,
and cement?
Group 3. Aggregates
What are the approximate sizes of coarse and fine aggregates (in mm)?
Group 4: Curing
What is curing?
How long does it take for concrete to reach its greatest strength?
Extra Credit
Search for “recycled waste materials in concrete.” Can you name 2 waste materials that people have
used to make concrete?
Describe 2 benefits of using waste materials instead of sand and gravel in concrete.
Concrete Web Research
List of Websites (2004):
http://www.cement.org/basics/
http://www.ecosmart.ca/facts/what.asp
http://www.wrmca.com/
http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/courses/gladney/mathphys/subsubsection1_1_3_1.html
http://va.essortment.com/mixingconcrete_rupc.htm
http://doityourself.com/concrete/cement_water_ratio.htm
http://www.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rec/classofmatter.htm
Note: before doing this activity, check the websites to see that they are still current!
Note: If you need to make some groups larger than others, make groups 1 and 2 larger, there is more
information in their topics.
Concrete Web Research KEY
What is the name of the chemical reaction that takes place in concrete?
What are the two ingredients that take part in this reaction?
Cement
Water
There is more than one type of cement, list the name and type of the most common form used for
general purposes.
Cement
Coarse aggregate
Fine aggregate
Water
Approximately what percentage of concrete’s volume is made up of coarse aggregates, fine aggregates,
and cement?
11% Cement
41% Coarse Aggregates
26% Fine Aggregates
What is the best water-to-cement ratio to use to make strong concrete?
About 0.5:1 by weight
3. Aggregates
What are the approximate sizes of coarse and fine aggregates (in mm)?
Coarse (4.75 mm, but generally range between from 6.5 to 38 mm in diameter)
Fine (most particles ranging in size from 0.025 to 6.5 mm)
For a good concrete mix, aggregates need to be clean, hard, strong particles free of absorbed chemicals
or coatings of clay and other fine materials that could cause the deterioration of concrete.
4: Curing
What is curing?
Curing is the period of time that the concrete is left to harden.
5: Testing
What is 28-day strength?
The time period of 28 days was selected by specification writing authorities as the age that all concrete
should be tested. At this age, a substantial percentage of the hydration has taken place.
How long does it take for concrete to reach its greatest strength?
Concrete will reach its ultimate strength after several years.
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