Chapter Five
Admixtures & Water
CONCRETE
ADMİXTURES
Materials in the form of powder or fluids that are added to the
concrete to give it certain characteristics not obtainable with
plain concrete mixes. In normal use, admixture dosages are
less than 5% by mass of cement, and are added to the concrete
at the time of batching/mixing.
Function of admixtures
➢ To accelerate or retard the setting time of fresh concrete.
➢ To improve the workability or followability of concrete.
➢ To maintain the quality of concrete during the stages
of mixing, transporting, placing, and curing in adverse
weather conditions.
➢ To increase the strength and durability of concrete.
➢ To reduce the heat of hydration.
➢ To reduce the segregation and bleeding.
➢ To decrease the permeability.
CHEMİCAL ADMİXTURES
Accelerators :
Speed up the hydration (hardening) of the concrete, and so
accelerate the rate of setting and/or early gain in strength of
concrete.
ACCELERATORS
Uses:
➢ Where rapid setting and high early strengths are
required.
➢ Where rapid turnover of moulds or formwork is
required.
ACCELERATORS
Dosage:
➢ Chloride based: 500 mℓ to 2 000 mℓ per 100 kg
cementitious.
➢ Non-chloride based: 500 mℓ to 2 000 mℓ per 100 kg of
cementitious material.
➢ Shotcrete accelerators react almost instantaneously,
causing stiffening, rapid set, and rapid hardening of the
shotcrete. Refer to the supplier’s directions regarding
dosage.
CHEMİCAL ADMİXTURES
Retarder:
These admixtures slow the chemical reaction of the cement
and water leading to longer setting times and slower initial
strength gain.
RETARDERS
Dosage:
Typical dosages for retarders are between 150 mℓ and 500 mℓ
per 100 kg cementitious material.
RETARDERS
Uses:
➢ When placing concrete in hot weather, particularly when
the concrete is pumped.
➢ In concrete which has to be transported for a long time.
CHEMİCAL ADMİXTURES
Air Entraining agents:
produce microscopic air bubbles(air bubbles predominately
between 0.25—1 mm diameter ) throughout the concrete.
Also Air entrainment will dramatically improve the
durability of concrete exposed to cycles of freezing and
thawing.
Air Entraining agents
Uses:
➢ Where improved resistance of hardened concrete to damage
from freezing and thawing is required.
➢ For improved workability, especially in harsh or lean mixes.
➢ To reduce bleeding and segregation, especially when a mix lacks
fines.
Air Entraining agents
Dosage:
Typical dosage for air-entraining agents is between 50 mℓ
and 150 mℓ per 100 kg of cementitious material.
CHEMİCAL ADMİXTURES
Water-reducing admixtures (plasticizer)
➢ Increase the workability of plastic or "fresh" concrete,
allowing it be placed more easily, with less consolidating
effort.
➢ Increase workability
➢ Reduce the water content of a concrete.
➢ Improves its strength and durability characteristics.
Various types of Water Reducers can reduce the water content
by approximately 5% to 25%.
Shrinkage-Reducing Admixtures
Shrinkage cracks, such as shown on this bridge deck, can be
reduced with the use of good concreting practices and
shrinkage reducing admixtures.
WATER
Good water is essential for quality concrete. Should be good
enough to drink. free from trash, organic matter and excessive
chemicals and minerals.
The 7 day and 28 day compressive strengths of the cylinder
specimens prepared with impure water should not differ by
10 % from that of cylinders prepared with pure water.
Excessive Impurities in Water May Affect
➢ setting time
➢ strength
➢ durability
➢ efflorescence
➢ surface discoloration
➢ corrosion of steel.
EFFECT OF MIXING OF WATER FROM
DIFFERENT SOURCES
1) Ground Water:
Natural ground waters seldom contain more than 20 to 30 ppm of
iron. Iron salts in concentrations up to 40,000 ppm do not usually
affect mortar strengths adversely.
2) Sea Water:
The sea water generally contains 3.5 % of salts with about 75 % of
sodium chloride, about 15 % of chloride and sulphate of
magnesium. Sea water may lead to corrosion of the reinforcement.
Curing Water:
Water containing more than 0.08 ppm of iron is not recommended
for curing
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Concrete
