Abstract:
Concrete strength depends on the quality of concrete-making materials selection. The
concrete-making materials selection should satisfy the requirement stated in the standards.
Mixing and curing water is one of the materials used and should be suitable for making
concrete. The quality of water is important because impurities can affect the strength of
concrete and lead to corrosion of reinforcement. The usage of potable water is getting more
intense with the study area (Jimma town) which can lead to a reduction in potable water
consumption. Hence, different sources of water can be used as a substitute for concrete mixing
and curing purposes. In this study, water samples were collected from different water sources
(potable water, river water, deep well water, and rainwater), and their chemical properties
were conducted based on standard lab procedures to identify the constituents. The concrete
strength of C-25 was prepared using the identified water sources, and testing was done for 7
and 28 days. Tests were conducted on cement setting time, workability of concrete,
compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength of concrete. According to laboratory test
results, the impurities observed in the identify water sources were within the specified limit as
per the ASTM C1602. The initial and final setting time of cement using each water source
showed an insignificant deviation from the control (potable water) and all are within the
specified limit as per ASTM C 94. The water sources had no significant effect on the workability
of concrete the range of slump all is (0-25). The compressive strength test results on the 28-
days mark showed that the potable water has more strength with 29.5 MPa followed by river
water with 28.8 MPa, deep well water with 26.86 MPa, and rainwater 24.69 MPa for the
mixing part, in the curing part river water with 27.09 MPa, deep well water with 26.12 MPa,
and rainwater with 25.4 MPa. The same source of water used both mixing and curing parts,
river water with 26.6 MPa, deep well water with 25.7 MPa, and rainwater with 22.97 MPa.
The results showed that the compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength of concrete
mixing and curing with potable and river water at 28 days had been more strength compared
with deep well and rainwater. Potable water and river water was relatively good for mixing
and curing concrete around Jimma town
