Engineering Better Concrete: A Training Course in Mix Design, Durability and Performance (Online / Remote)
1Summary
Most concrete problems are decided long before the first cube is cast — in the choice of materials, the mix proportions, and the way admixtures are combined. This Concrete Technology training course looks at concrete production from that angle: how early decisions about materials and mix design determine strength, durability and service life. Participants learn to select materials, proportion mixes, use admixtures effectively, and diagnose and prevent the deterioration that shortens a structure's lifespan.
The programme sits within Arab British Fellowship Training Academy's Construction and Civil Engineering Training Course specialisation. It builds hands-on skills in material selection, mix proportioning, admixture use and compressive-strength evaluation, while tackling the durability factors — permeability, carbonation, chloride attack, freeze-thaw — that cause premature failure. The result is practical knowledge for engineering maintenance and operation, and a clear method for extending concrete's service life.
2Objectives and target group
- Understand how material selection — cement, aggregates, water, and supplementary materials — shapes concrete performance.
- Develop effective concrete mix designs for different construction requirements.
- Select and apply chemical and mineral admixtures appropriately.
- Evaluate fresh concrete properties, including workability, segregation and setting behaviour.
- Assess compressive strength and other hardened concrete performance characteristics.
- Identify the mechanisms behind concrete deterioration — carbonation, chloride ingress, sulphate attack and freeze-thaw damage.
- Apply techniques to improve durability, sustainability and service life.
- Implement testing, quality control and preventive maintenance procedures for concrete structures.
Target Audience
- Civil and structural engineers
- Concrete technologists and laboratory technicians
- Construction and site engineers
- Quality control and quality assurance professionals
- Materials engineers and technicians
- Construction project managers and supervisors
- Infrastructure and maintenance engineers
- Contractors and professionals responsible for concrete production and engineering maintenance
3Course Content
Module 1: Concrete Performance Starts with Material Choices
- Components and composition of concrete
- Cement types, chemistry and hydration
- Aggregate grading, shape and texture
- Water quality and supplementary cementitious materials
- Material compatibility and selection criteria
Module 2: Designing the Mix: Proportioning for Purpose
- Principles of concrete mix proportioning
- Mix design methods and procedures
- Water-cement ratio and workability
- Aggregate proportioning and optimisation
- Mix adjustments for field conditions and performance requirements
Module 3: Admixtures and Performance Enhancement
- Types and functions of chemical admixtures
- Water reducers and superplasticisers
- Accelerating, retarding and air-entraining admixtures
- Mineral admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials
- Compatibility, dosage and performance considerations
Module 4: From Fresh to Hardened: Properties, Strength and Quality Control
- Workability, consistency, segregation and bleeding
- Setting time and temperature effects
- Batching, mixing, transportation and placement
- Development of compressive strength and factors affecting it
- Curing methods, density, permeability and shrinkage
Module 5: Why Concrete Deteriorates: Durability and Common Failure Mechanisms
- Principles of concrete durability and permeability
- Carbonation and chloride ingress
- Sulphate attack and chemical deterioration
- Freeze-thaw damage and environmental exposure
- Corrosion of reinforcement and preventive strategies
Module 6: Improving Performance: High-Performance and Sustainable Concrete
- High-performance and high-strength concrete
- Low-permeability and durable concrete
- Sustainable concrete technologies and recycled materials
- Reducing environmental impact while maintaining performance
- Optimising concrete service life
Module 7: Testing, Troubleshooting and Long-Term Maintenance
- Laboratory and field testing procedures
- Identifying concrete defects and failures
- Crack evaluation and repair considerations
- Quality assurance and performance monitoring
- Preventive maintenance strategies for long-term concrete performance