Admixtures Assignment
Admixtures Assignment
Admixtures Assignment
Beato
CEE41
Air-entrained Admixtures
Air-entrained concrete contains billions of microscopic air cells per cubic foot. These air pockets
relieve internal pressure on the concrete by providing tiny chambers for water to expand into when it
freezes. Air-entrained concrete is produced using air-entraining portland cement, or by the introduction
of air-entraining agents, under careful engineering supervision, as the concrete is mixed on the job. The
amount of entrained air is usually between four and seven percent of the volume of the concrete but
may be varied as required by special conditions.
Air-entrained admixtures are anionic, because the hydrocarbon structures contain negatively
charged hydrophilic groups, such as COO, SO3 and OSO so that large anions are released in water.
Conversely, if the hydrocarbon ion is positively charged, the compound is cation active or cationic.
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 classes can cause air
entrainment in concrete, but their efficiency and characteristics of air-void system vary widely.
Accelerating Admixtures
Increase the rate of early strength development, reduce the time required for proper curing and
protection, and speed up the start of finishing operations. Accelerating admixtures are especially useful
for modifying the properties of concrete in cold weather. It provides higher early strength development
in freshly cast concrete.
- Other Definition
The function of retarding concrete admixture is to delay or extend the setting time of cement paste
in concrete. These are helpful for concrete that must be transported to long distance in transit mixers
and helpful in placing the concrete at high temperatures, specially used as grouting admixture and water
reducers results in increase of strength and durability.
- Advantages
o The hydroxyl carboxylic acid type admixture normally produces concrete having a slightly
lower aim content them that of a control mix.
o Materials of this class (lignosulphonate containing sugar and derivatives of hydroxyl
carboxylic acid) in some cases have a much higher dispersing effect and hence water
reducing capacity.
o Durability increases.
- Applications of Retarding Admixture: Retarding admixtures are used;
o Where long transportation of ready mixed concrete is required then premature setting
can be usefully avoided by this type admixture.
o When concrete is being placed or transported under conditions of high ambient
temperature.
o In case of large concrete pours
o Concrete construction involving sliding formwork
Superplasticizers
These are the second-generation admixture and also called as Superplasticizers. These are
synthetic chemical products made from organic sulphonates of type RSO3, where R is complex organic
group of higher molecular weight produced under carefully controlled condition.
This admixture acts as the same way as that of a water reducing admixture acts. It disperses the
cement agglomerates when cement is suspended in water and adsorbed on to the surface of cement,
causing them mutually repulsive as a result of the anionic nature of super plasticizers.
The second use of this admixtures is in the production of concrete of normal workability but
with an extreme high strength (super plasticizer can reduce the water content for a given workability by
25 – 35 percent compared with half that value in the case of conventional water reducing admixtures).
- Advantages
o The concrete using this admixture can be placed with little or no compaction and is not
subject to excessive bleeding or segregation.
o They can be used as high dosages became they do not markedly change the surface
tension of water.
o It does not significantly affect the setting of concrete except that when used the cements
having a very low C3A content.
o They do not influence shrinkage, creep modulus of elasticity or resistance to freeing to
thawing.
- Disadvantages
o High Cost
- Applications of Super Plasticizer Admixtures
o In very heavily reinforced sections, in inaccessible areas in floor or road slabs.
o Where very rapid placing is desired.
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 behavior 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.