154 Concrete Technology

5.13. Retarders
A retarder is an admixture that slows down the chemical process of
concrete remains plastic and workable for alonger time than concrete hydrattheion
without
onretarder
Retarders are used to overcome the accelerating effect of high
properties of concretein hot weather concreting. The retarders temperature
castalisnosgetuSeding
are uSed in
consolidating large number of pours without the formation of cold joints. They are and
in grouting oil wells. Oil wells are sometimes taken upto a depth of abOut
6000
where the temperature may be about 200°C. The annular spacing between the meter deen
the wall of the vwell will have to be sealed with cement grout. Sometimes steel tube and
at that
stratified or porOus rockstrata may also require to be grouted to prevent the entry of
into some other strata. For all these works cement grout is required to be in mobile
qas depth
for about 3to 4 hours, even at that high temperature without getting set. Use of Condition
agent is often used for such requirements.
Sometimes concrete may have to be placed in difficult conditions and delay may
retarding
in transporting and placing. In ready mixed concrete practices, concrete is manufactured
central batching plant and transported over along distance to the job sites which maut
considerable time. In the above cases the setting of concrete will have to be retarded. so th
concrete when finally placed and compacted is in perfect plastic state.
Retarding admixtures are sometimes used to obtain exposed aggregate look in concrete
The retarder sprayed to the surface of the formwork, prevents the hardening of matrix at the
interface of concrete and formwork, whereas the rest of the concrete gets hardened. On
removingthe formwork after one day or so, the unhardened matrix can be just washed of
by ajet of water which will expose the aggregates. The above are some of the instanes
where a retarding agent is used.
Perhaps the most commonly knovwn retarder is calciumsulphate. It is interground to
retardthe setting of cement. The appropriate amount of gypsum to be used must be
determined carefully for the given job. Use of gypsum for the purpose of retarding setting tine
is only recommended when adequate inspection and control is available, otherwise, aditon
of excess amount may cause undesirable expansion and indefinite delay in the setng or
Concrete.
In addition to qypsum there are number of other materials found to be suitable for Us
purpose. They are: starches, cellulose products, sugars, acids or salts of acids. These chemicds
may have variable action on different types of cement when used in different quantities. Unies
experience has been had with a retarder, its use as an admixture should not be attemptu
without technical advice. Any mistake made in this respect may have disastrous consequerc
admixture for
Common sugar is one of the most effective retarding agents used as an
delaying the setting time of Concrete without detrimental effect on the ultimate strerg
temperatures
Addition of excessive amounts will cause indefinite delayin setting. At normal butifthe
addition of sugar 0.05 to 0.10 per cent have little effect on the rate of hydration.thatfinalset
quantity is increased to 0 2 per cent, hydration can be retarded to such an extent
a
retardingeffed
may not take place for 72 hours or more. Skimmed milk powder (casein) has
mainly due to sugar Content. Ligno
agents are
Other admixtures which have been suCcessfully used as retarding whichin addition
sulphonic acids and their salts, hydroxylated carboxylic acids and their salts workability
to the retarding effect also reduce the quantity of water requirement for a given
like
mucicacd
This also increases 28 days compressive strength by 10 to 20 per cent. Materials
(n Conlents
5.5. Action of Plasticizers 133
5.5..Dispersion I33
55.2. Retarding Efect I33
5.6. Superplasticizers (Hiqgh Range Water Reducers) 133
5.6.1.Classificaton of Superplasticizer 134
S.62 Efects of Superplasticizers on Fresh Concrete 135
5.7 Compatiblity of Superplasticizers and Cement 135
577. FLow Table Test 140
58. EfMciency of Plasticizer 140
S9. Factors Efecting the Workablity 142
5.91. Types of Superplasticizers 142
5.92. Dosage 142
5.9.3. Mix Composition 143
5.9.4. Variability in Cement Composition 143
5.9.5. Mixíng Procedure 143
59.6. Equipment 144
5.9.7. Others 144
5.9.8 Site Problems in the use of Superplasticizes 144
5.10. Slump Loss 146
5.10.1. Steps for ReducingSlump Loss 146
5.10.2. Other Potential Problems 148
5.1. Efect of Superplasticízers on the
Hardened Concrete Properties of
149
5.12. New Generation
Superplasticízers
5.12.1. Carboxylated Acrylic Ester (AE)
150
150
5122. Multicarboxylatether 153
5.13. Retarders
513.1. RetardingPlasticizers 154
5.14. ACcelerators 155
I55
5.14.1.Accelerating Plasticizers
5.15. Airentraining Admixture 164
164
5.15.1.Air entraining agents 165
5.15.2. Factors affecting amount of air
5.15.3. The Effect of Air Entrainment onentrainment
the
165

Properties of Concrete I66

5154. Resistance to Freezing and Thawing I67
5 155. Efect on
workabilityy
5.156 Efect on strength
I68
l69
5.157 Efect on Segregation, Bleeding and Laitance 172
5.158 Efect on Permeability 175
5.15.9 Efect on Chemícal Resistance 175
5.15.10. Effect on sand, water and cement content 175
5.15| Unit Weight I76
5.15.12. AkaliAggregate Reaction 176
5.15 13. Modulus of Elasticity 176
5.15.14. Abrasion Resistance 176
5..5.15. Optimum Air Content in Concrete
5.15.16. Measurement of Air Content in Ai
Entrained Concrete 177
 WNIER rBIN GvL

CONCRETE
TECHNOLOGY
THEORY AND PRACTICE

M.S. SHETTY
B.E., M.E., FICI, FIIBE, FIE, MACCE
Consultant Indiabulls Real Estate Company Ltd.
Consultant Nathani Parekh Construction Pvt. Ltd.
Formerly
Technical Advisor, MC Bauchemie (Ind) Pvt. Ltd.
Principal Technical Consutant, Grasim Industries Ltd.
Consultant to IMCC Delhi Metro Railway Corporation
Senior Prof, and Head of Department of Construction Engineering
College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune
Ministry,.af Defence

S.CHAND
PUBLIS HING
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