1.7.2.

2 AGGREGATE-CEMENT RATIO
i. Finer aggregate would reduce workability because of high specific
surface are.
ii. Irregular & angular aggregate also reduce workability.
iii. Whereas, rounded aggregate increase workability because of reduction in
particle interference.
iv. Lower aggregate-cement ratio will increase the workability. On the other
hand, if the ratio of volume of coarse to fine aggregate is high, it will
lower the workability and cause segregation.
v. The use of coarse aggregate of larger size gives higher workability
because of the reduction in total specific surface area.
vi. The use of elongated aggregate results in low workability, primarily due
to increase in particle interference.

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1.7.2.3 SHAPE & FLESHINESS OF AGGREGATE:
i. Aggregates that have a smooth surface can provide a good workability, but
has a low bond strength.
ii. While the aggregate with a rough surface produces a low workability, but the
bond strength between aggregates and cement are much better.

1.7.2.4 ADMIXTURE/ADDITIVES SUBSTANCES:

i. Addition of air entraining admixture and plasticizer will increase workability.
ii. Pozzolanic materials like Pfa and slag would likely reduce workability.

1.7.2.5 TIME & TEMPERATURE:

i. High temperature for longer period of time would result absorption &
evaporation hence reduce workability.
ii. During hot day, it becomes necessary to increase water content of the
concrete mix in order to maintain the desired workability.
iii. The fresh concrete loses workability with time mainly because of the loss
of moisture due to evaporation.
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1.8 ADDITIVES IN CONCRETE MIXTURE
1.8.1 DEFINITION OF ADDITIVE
1. Admixtures are materials other than cement, aggregate and water , in
liquid or powder form that are added to fresh concrete either before or
during its mixing to improve its properties, such as workability, curing
temperature range, setting time , slump retention and etc.
2. Some admixtures have been in use for a very long time, such as
calcium chloride to provide a cold-weather setting concrete.
3. Others are more recent and represent an area of expanding
possibilities for increased performance.
4. Not all admixtures are economical to employ on a particular project.
5. Also, some characteristics of concrete, such as low absorption, can be
achieved simply by consistently adhering to high quality concreting
practices.
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6. The chemistry of concrete admixtures is a complex topic requiring in-depth
knowledge and experience.
7. A general understanding of the options available for concrete admixtures is
necessary for acquiring the right product for the job, based on climatic
conditions and job requirements.
8. Based on their functions, admixtures can be classified into the following
five major categories:
a) Retarding Admixtures.
b) Accelerating admixture.
c) Super plasticizers.
d) Water reducing admixtures.
e) Air-entraining admixtures.
9. Among other important admixtures that do not fit into these categories are
admixtures whose functions include bonding, shrinkage reduction, damp
proofing and coloring.

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10) Purposes of admixture/additives:
i. To improve workability of fresh concrete.
ii. To improve durability by entrainment of air.
iii. To reduce water required.
iv. To accelerate setting & hardening and thus to produce high early strength.
v. To promote pozzolanic reaction with lime liberated by cement due hydration.
vi. To aid curing.
vii. To impart water repellent or water proofing property.
viii. To retard setting.
ix. To improve wear resistance.
x. To cause dispersion of the cement particles when mixes with water.
xi. To offset or reduce shrinkage during setting & hardening.
xii. To cause expansion of concrete and automatic prestressing of steel.
xiii. To impart colour.
xiv. To reduce bleeding.
xv. To reduce the evolution of heat.
xvi. To reduce some chemical reaction.
xvii. To aerate mortar or concrete to produce a light-weight product.
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1.8.1.1 RETARDING SUBSTANCES
i. Retarders are used to delay the setting time of cement paste in concrete.
ii. High temperatures of fresh concrete (85˚F – 90˚F) are often the cause of an
increased rate of hardening that makes placing and finishing difficult.
iii. One practical way to reduce the temperature of the concrete is by cooling the
mixing water or the aggregates.
iv. Retarders do not decrease the initial temperature of the concrete.
v. Retarders are sometimes used for:
a) Offset the accelerating effect of hot weather on the setting of concrete.
b) Delay the initial set of concrete when difficult or unusual conditions of
placement occur, such as placing concrete in large piers and foundations.
c) Delay the set for a special finishing process, such as an exposed aggregate surface
vi. Some of the materials used to retard the set of a concrete mixture are lignin, borax,
sugar, tartaric acid, and salt. These materials should be added to the mixing water.

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1.8.1.2 ACCLERATING SUBSTANCES
1. Accelerators shorten the set time of concrete, allowing a cold-weather pour,
early removal of forms, early surface finishing, and in some cases, early load
application.
2. Proper care must be taken while choosing the type and proportion of
accelerators, as under most conditions, commonly used accelerators cause an
increase in the drying shrinkage of concrete.
3. Calcium chloride is a common accelerator, used to accelerate the time of set
and the rate of strength gain.
4. Excessive amounts of calcium chloride in concrete mix may result in rapid
stiffening, increase in drying shrinkage and corrosion of reinforcement.
5. In colder climates, calcium chloride should not be used as an anti-freeze.
6. Large amount of calcium chloride is required to lower the freezing point of
the concrete, which may ruin the concrete.

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1.8.1.3 SUPERPLASTICIZER SUBSTANCES
1. Super plasticizers, also known as plasticizers, include water-reducing admixtures.
2. Compared to what is commonly referred to as a "water reducer" or "mid-range water
reducer", super plasticizers are "high-range water reducers".
3. High range water reducers are admixtures that allow large water reduction or greater
flow ability (as defined by the manufacturers, concrete suppliers and industry standards)
without substantially slowing set time or increasing air entrainment.
4. Each type of super plasticizer has defined ranges for the required quantities of concrete
mix ingredients, along with the corresponding effects.
5. They can maintain a specific consistency and workability at a greatly reduced amount of
water.
6. Dosages needed vary by the particular concrete mix and type of super plasticizer used.
7. They can also produce a high strength concrete.
8. As with most types of admixtures, super plasticizers can affect other concrete properties
as well.
9. The specific effects, however, should be found from the manufacturer or concrete supplier.

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1.8.1.4 WATER REDUCING SUBSTANCES
1. Water reducing admixtures require less water to make a
concrete of equal slump, or increase the slump of concrete at
the same water content.
2. They can have the side effect of changing initial set time.
3. Water reducers are mostly used for hot weather concrete
placing and to aid pumping.
4. A water-reducer plasticizer, however, is a hygroscopic
powder, which can entrain air into the concrete mix via its
effect on water's surface tension, thereby also, obtaining some
of the benefits of air-entrainment

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1.8.1.5 AIR ENTRAINING SUBSTANCES
1. Air-entraining agents entrain small air bubbles in the
concrete.
2. The major benefit of this is enhanced durability in freeze-
thaw cycles, especially relevant in cold climates.
3. While some strength loss typically accompanies
increased air in concrete, it generally can be overcome by
reducing the water-cement ratio via improved
workability (due to the air-entraining agent itself) or
through the use of other appropriate admixtures.
4. As always, admixtures should only be combined in a
concrete mix by a competent professional because some
of them can interact in undesirable ways.
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1.8.1.6 OTHER SUBSTANCES
1. Mineral admixtures:
a) Make mixtures more economical, reduce permeability,
increase strength, and influence other concrete properties.
b) Mineral admixtures affect the nature of the hardened
concrete through hydraulic or pozzolan activity.
c) Pozzolan are cementitious materials and include natural
pozzolans, fly ash and silica fume.
d) They can be used with Portland cement, or blended cement
either individually or in combination as a cement
substitutes.
e) Cement substitutes also change concrete properties, but
typically are not classified as admixtures.

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2. Bonding Admixtures:
a) Bonding admixtures, including addition of compounds and materials such
as polyvinyl chlorides and acetates, acrylics and butadiene-styrene co-
polymers, can be used to assist in bonding new / fresh concrete with old /
set concrete.
3. Coloring Agents:
a) Have become more commonly used, especially for patios and walkways.
b) Most are surface applied and often have the additional effect of surface
hardening.
c) Such surface applied coloring admixtures generally should not be used on
air-entrained concrete.
d) Integrally colored concrete is also available.
4. Waterproofing and Damp proofing admixtures:
a) Including soaps, butyl stearate, mineral oil and asphalt emulsions, are used
to decrease the amount of water penetration into the larger pores of
concrete.
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