Difference Between Pcc and RCC – Pcc and RCC are two terms that are used to differentiate the concrete. In simple words, both of these are the different methods or processes to make concrete structures. These days concrete is used everywhere in India as well as out of India. Currently concrete is the most durable, affordable material which is used worldwide. Mostly this material is used for roads, bridges, buildings, and dams. In this article, we will differentiate the difference between PCC and RCC. Here we will also discuss the strengths, cost construction process, and applications.
Table of Contents
Comparison chart of Difference Between Pcc and RCC
| PCC | RCC |
| Concrete without reinforcement steel bars | Concrete with reinforcement steel bars |
| Suitable for light-duty structures such as pavements, footpaths, and floors | Suitable for heavy-duty structures such as bridges, high-rise buildings, dams, and industrial structures |
| Uses lower-grade materials | Uses high-grade materials |
| Simple construction process | Complex construction process |
| The curing process takes up to 28 days | The curing process takes up to 14-21 days |
| Compressive strength ranges from 15-40 MPa | Compressive strength ranges from 30-60 MPa |
| Tensile strength is low | High tensile strength due to reinforcement |
| More economical compared to RCC | More expensive compared to PCC |
| Environmental impact can be high due to cement production | Environmental impact can be high due to cement production |
Definition of Pcc / Full form of PCC
The full form of PCC is Plain Cement Concrete which is also well known as non-reinforcement concrete. We know concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, aggregate, and water in a fixed proportion ratio. When we pour concrete in the formwork without the reinforcement bars is known as PCC. Mostly PCC is used to make the initial foundations. In other words, PCC is used for light-duty work.
What is the Pcc ratio?
Mostly PCC is used for light-duty works or as a first layer above the soil it is also known as lean concrete. Pcc ratio starts from m7, M10, and M15. In PCC mostly lower-grade of materials are used.
What is the unit weight of PCC?
Unit weight is the weight of the PCC (1x1x1) meter cube in kg. The unit weight of the PCC is 2400 kg/M3.
The construction process of PCC.
The construction process of PCC is very simple all of the PCC construction processes are cast in situ. Because it is very different to sift the PCC structure from one place to another place because due to the movement, it will break down. For this construction, concrete is directly poured into the formwork where we need its structure. After the construction after 10 hours or completely setting out curing starts which continues for 28 days.
Definition of RCC / Full form of RCC
RCC stands for reinforced cement concrete. Simply when we used reinforcement bars or steel in the concrete to provide the tensile strength is known as the RCC. The steel was used when we cast the concrete. In every structure, RCC is used to provide more compressive and tensile strength. For example, we are very familiar with the beams in our homes. Bean is an RCC structure because alone concrete is unable to bear the load of the building.
What is the RCC Ratio
In RCC we use high-strength concrete. So the RCC grades start from the M20, M25, M30, and so on. These days many chemicals are also used in the RCC as per the condition and requirements.
Unit weight of RCC.
The unit weight of the RCC structure is 2500 kg/M3. We take this weight as standard to design the building.
The main difference between PCC and RCC
here are some important Difference Between Pcc and RCC
Reinforcement
No reinforcement is used in the PCC construction. Steel or reinforcement bars are embedded in the RCC to provide tensile strength to the structure. This increases the load-bearing capacity of the structure.
Intended use
Pcc is mostly used for the light duty loads structure like footpaths, and floors and as a base layer for the foundation and other structures. While RCC is used for heavy-duty structures like bridges, dams, machine foundations, high-rise buildings, and other industrial heavy structures.
Material used
For PCC mostly low-grade materials are used like low grades, like cent sand and aggregate. In RCC only high-grade materials are used like high-grade cement, clean and washed sand, and good aggregate is used.
Construction process
The construction process of PCC is very easy and simple. For PCC construction the work is to set the formwork and then just pour the concrete. While RCC is a much more difficult construction than PCC. For this first, we have to make the formwork and the reinforcement layers laid at proper spacing as per the design. After that concrete is poured.
Workers requirements
For PCC we don’t need much-skilled workers for the laying of the concrete. But for the RCC we need highly skilled workers like bar binders, Masons, and good labor.
Curing time
Pcc needs more curing than the RCC structure.
Compressive strength
The compressive strength of the PCC lies between 15-40 Mpa. While the compressive strength of the RCC lies between 30-60 Mpa. Its higher strength is due to the reinforcement.
Tensile strength
RCC Tensile strength is more than the PCC due to the reinforcement. RCC is able to bear the high tension. Steel makes the RCC structure resistant to deformation and cracking.
Use of chemicals or admixture
Generally, no extra chemicals are used in the PCC. But in the RCC these days many chemicals are used as per the condition and the requirements of the structure. Chemicals and admixtures like retarding admixture, accelerating admixture, superplasticizers, water-reducing admixture, and air-entraining admixture.
Cost
Pcc is cheaper than RCC because mostly low-grade material is used in PCC construction. While in the case of RCC all high-grade materials are used which increases the cost. In RCC steel is also used which also increases the cost of the structure. Other skilled labor and formwork cost is also more in the RCC construction.
Above are the important difference between PCC and RCC
Conclusion
This was the discussion on the Difference Between Pcc and RCC. Both of these concrete is very different from one another as per composition and use. All measures of Difference Between Pcc and RCC are explored here. In general terms, low-grade concrete which is poured without embedding the steel and reinforcement is known as Plain Cement Concrete.
This is mostly used for the light-duty load structure like footpaths, and our non-commercial floors. On the other hand, RCC is high-grade concrete in which steel or reinforcement is embedded to provide more strength is known as RCC construction. This is mostly used for heavy-duty structures like dams, rivers, bridges, industrial buildings, high rise buildings. These days RCC is used everywhere even the small works.
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