Definition of Concrete Admixtures
Definition of Concrete Admixtures
Definition of Concrete Admixtures
So, it is of much importance for a civil site engineer to know about the types of
admixtures (additives) and their properties for better selection and application in concrete
works.
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Some of the important purposes for which admixtures are used are:
o Reduce segregation.
o Improve pumpability.
o Control expansion caused by the reaction of alkalies with certain aggregate constituents.
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When Concrete Admixtures Used?
o When properties cannot be made by varying the composition of basic material.
o Use a dispenser
2. Retarding admixtures
4. Air-entraining admixtures
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5. Super plasticizing admixtures
7. Miscellaneous admixtures
Classification of admixtures according to the book of “Concrete Admixtures: Use and
Applications” edited by M. R. Rixom are given in the forward pages.
In other words, anionic surface active agents produce bubbles that are negatively charged,
cationic charged cause bubbles to be positively charged, surface active agents of all
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classes can cause air entrainment in concrete, but their efficiency and characteristics of
air-void system vary widely.
2. Accelerating Admixtures
Accelerating admixtures are used for quicker setting times of concrete. It provides higher
early strength development in freshly cast concrete.
Mode of Action
The principal role on mechanism of water reductions and set retardation of admixtures
are usually composed of long-chain organic molecules and that are hydrophobic (not
wetting) at one end and hydrophilic (readily wet) at the other.
Such molecules tend to become concentrated and form a film at the interface between
two immiscible phases such as cement and water, and alter the physio-chemical forces
acting at this interface.
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The mechanism by which water reducing admixture operate is to deflocculated or to
disperse the cement agglomerates into primary particles or atleast into much smaller
fragments.
3. protection sheath of water dipoles around each particle i.e. mobility of fresh mix becomes
greater, partly because of reduction in inter-particle forces and partly because of water freed
from the restraining influence of the highly flocculated system which is now available to
lubricate the mixture. Hence less water is required to achieve given consistency.
b) By maintaining some workability, but at a lower water content, concrete strengths may
be increased without the need for further cement addition
c) While maintaining the same w/c ratio and workability concrete can be made to a given
strength as in the reference concrete at lower cement content.
Effect on durability
The straight addition of admixtures of this type does not came any increase in
permeability and indeed where the admixture is used to reduce the w/c, then permeability
is considerably reduced.
Effect on shrinkage
Admixture of this type when used as workability aids on water reducers do not adversely
effect the shrinkage.
Effect on creep
Materials of this type of admixture have no deleterious effect on the creep of concrete.
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Detrimental effect
a) While using water reducing agent. Care must be taken in controlling the air content in
the mix. Most water-reducing agent entrain air due to their surfactant properties.
a) When concrete pours are restricted due to either congested reinforcement or this
sections.
b) When harsh mixes are experienced such as those produced with aggregates (crushed).
Then considerable improvement in the plastic properties of concrete can be obtained.
c) When required strengths are difficult to obtain within specified maximum cement
content and where early lifting strengths are required.
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d) Soluble zinc
Mode of action
It is thought that retarding admixtures are absorbed on to the C3A phase in cement
forming a film around the cement grains and presenting or reducing the reaction with
water. After a while thus film breaks down and normal hydration proceeds. This a simple
mixture and there is a reason to believe that retards also interact with C3S since
retardation can be extended to a period of many days.
Why Retarding Concrete Admixtures are used?
To delay in the setting time of concrete without adversely effecting the subsequent
strength development.
c) Durability increases.
Detrimental effect
a) When lignosulphonate based material used, then the air content might be 0.2 to 0.3%
higher unless materials of the tributyle phosphate type are added.
a) Where long transportation of ready mixed concrete is required then premature setting
can be usefully avoided by this type admixture.
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c) In case of large concrete pours
iii) iii) Modified ligno-sulphonates and other sulphonic esters, acids etc.,
Chemical type
a) formaldehyde derivatives such as melamine formaldehyde and napthalene sulphonate
formaldehyde.
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Advantages of Super Plasticizer Admixtures
a) The concrete using this admixture can be placed with little or no compaction and is not
subject to excessive bleeding or segregation.
b) They can be used as high dosages became they do not markedly change the surface
tension of water.
c) It does not significantly affect the setting of concrete except that when used the
cements having a very low C3A content.
d) They do not influence shrinkage, creep modulus of elasticity or resistance to freeing to
thawing.
Disadvantage
The only real disadvantage of superplasticizer is their relatively high cost.
b) Industrial by products
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b) The ability of cement and concrete industries to consume mithions of tons of industrial
byproducts containing toxic metal would qualify these industries to be classified as
environmentally friendly.
c) Since natural Pozzolana and industrial by products are generally available substantially
lower costs than Portland cement, the exploitation of the Pozzolanic and cementitious
properties of mineral admixtures are used as a partial replacement of cement can lead to a
considerable economic benefit.
d) Possible technological benefits from the use of mineral admixtures in concrete include
entrancement of impermeability and chemical durability, improved resistance to thermal
cracking and increase in ultimate strength.
ASIM specification C618 recognizes the following three classes of mineral admixtures.
a) Class N — Raw or calcined natural pozzolanic such as diatomaceous earths, clay and
shales, tuffs and volcanic ashes.
c) Class C — Ash normally produced from lignite or sub-bituminous coal which may
contain analytical CaO higher than 10%.
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Production of Silica Fume
Silicon, ferrosilicon or other alloys are produced in so-called “submerged are electric
furnaces”. There are two types of electric furnaces one is with heat recovery system and
the other is without heat recovery system.
b) Calcium silicon
c) Ferrochromium Silicon
d) Silicomanganese
a) SF originates from the condensed SiO vapors and generally has a high content of silica
of 35 to 98%
b) SF is an amorphous material
c) SF is composed mostly of fine spheres with a mean diameter of 0.1 to 0.2 mm.
For use in large construction projects, the quantity of the admixture to be used shall be
obtained from tests reports for concrete mixed with admixtures at various percentage
admixtures use. These tests are conducted to understand the behaviour of admixtures on
the desired quality and strength of concrete at different quantity of admixtures used.
Thus, the optimum quantity of admixtures can be selected for specific application based
on results.
The selection of specific admixtures for use in concrete to alter properties of concrete
should be selected carefully as per requirement of concrete works. Concrete admixtures
should be used judiciously according to specification and method of application to avoid
adverse effect on concrete properties at fresh and hardened state.
After selecting the admixtures product, one should carefully choose the supplier with
quality product, timely service and at competitive price. The admixture supplier should
be with good history and should possess the staff with efficient and professional
experience to guide on effective application/use of admixture in right way.
Concrete admixtures should be accepted with test certificate, manufacturing date and its
chemical composition, should comply specifications given by the authorities.
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