ADVANCED CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

MODULE I

(Cements: Review of manufacturing process, chemical composition,Bogue’s compounds,

mechanism of hydration- heat of hydration. Aggregates: Review of types; sampling and
testing, artificial aggregates. Chemical admixtures - types,uses,mechanism of action- effect
on properties of concrete. Rheology-basic concepts. Bingham model.)

Prepared by,
LEKSHMI PRIYA A N
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Civil Engineering
YCET, Kollam

1
EMENT
 Cement is a building material which act as a binding material and it forms a paste with
water and hold Coarse Aggregate & Fine Aggregate together to form a solid mass. Cement
is prepared by mixing, burning and grinding of calcareous materials (chalk, lime stone)
&argillaceous materials (clay) together with little amount of gypsum.
 Cement was first discovered by an English brick layer named Joseph Aspdin in 1824. He
called it Portland cement for the reason that the cement he discovered resembled with
limestone found in Portland.Most of the concrete work done with ordinary Portland cement
(OPC).

FUNCTIONS OF CEMENT
It gives strength to the masonry It gives an excellent binding material
It is easily workable It possesses a good plasticity It stiffens or hardness early

USES OF CEMENT
 Cement is used for the preparation of cement mortar, cement concrete and reinforced
cement concrete.
 Cement mortar is used for masonry work, plastering and pointing.
 Cement concrete used in RCC for roof slabs, columns, water tanks, dams, foundations,
railway sleepers etc.
 Cement is used in the manufacture of dust bins, posts, pipes, garden benches, flower
pots etc.
 Cement mortar is used for all most all decorative and aesthetic works.

MANUFACTURING OF CEMENT
There are two methods are used for manufacturing of cement namely Wet process and Dry
process.Following three district operations are involved in the manufacture of cement.
1. Mixing of raw materials
2. Burning
3. Grinding

2
WET PROCESS
Mixing of raw materials
The calcareous materials such as limestone stored in silos or storage tanks
The argillaceous materials such as clay are thoroughly mixed in with water in a container
known as wash mill and they are stored in basin.
After the correct proportion its moved to fall in channel, this channel leads the materials
to grinding mill (ball mill or tube mill) where they are brought to form a slurry.
The slurry is lead to correcting basin at this stage chemical compositions are adjusted as
necessary. After the corrected slurry stored in a different storage tank then its moves
rotary kiln for burning.
Burning
Rotary kiln formed of steel tubes whose diameter varies from 250 – 300 cm.
Length of rotary kiln 90 -120 m.

Rotary kiln can be rotates at 1-3 revolution per minute about its longitudinal axis
Burn the slurry with 1500 *c .after the burring clinker is formed. And then cool down
the clinker and it’s collected to suitable sizes.

Grinding
Clinkers are finely ground in ball mills and tube mills. During grinding small quantity of
(3-4 %) gypsum is added.
Gypsum controls the initial setting time of cement. If not added gypsum cement set as
soon as water added. After grinding stored in tanks. And packed the cement bags (50kg

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Dry process:
In this process, the raw materials are first reduced in size at about 25 mm in crushers. A
current of dry air is then passed over these dried materials.
These dried materials are then pulverized into fire powder in ball mills and tube mills. All
these operations are done separately for each raw material and they are stored in hoppers. They
are then mixed in correct proportions and made ready for the feed at rotary Kiln.
This finely ground powder at raw materials is known as the raw mix and it is stored in storage
tank. Fig shows the flow diagram of mixing at raw materials by dry process.

BASIC INGREDIENTS OF CEMENT (OPC) AND ITS FUNCTIONS

 Cement is manufactured through a closely controlled chemical combination
of calcium, silica, aluminium, iron and other ingredients. Common materials used to
manufacture cement include limestone, shells, and chalk or marl combined with shale,
clay, slate, blast furnace slag, silica sand, and iron ore.

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 Ingredients Chemical Approximate Functions
Composition Amount (%)

Provide strength. Excess amount will make

unsound of cement, which means volume will
Lime CaO 60-67 be changed when it is mixed with water.

Silica SiO2 17-25 Provide strength

Excess silica decreases the setting time

Alumina Al2O3 3-8 Quick setting property

Calcium sulphate CaSO4 3-4 From Gypsum. its increase initial setting
time of concrete
Iron oxide Fe2O3 0.5-6 Gives colour, hardens & strength to cement

Magnesium oxide MgO 0.1-4 Gives colour, hardens& strength to cement.

Excess makes cement unsound.

Alkali Oxides Na2O, K2O 0.4-1 Excess causes efflorescence and Failure.

Sulphur Trioxide SO3 1 Small amount need for making sound

cement.
But excess makes unsound.

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GRADE OF CEMENT:
 The cement like ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is available in Indian market with three
different grades namely 33grades (IS 269:1989), 43 grades (IS 812:1989) and 53 Grade
(IS1226-1987).

33- Grade Ordinary Portland cement:

 The 33-grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is
33N/mm2 when tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions. This type of
cement is used for general construction work under normal environmental condition.
43- Grade Ordinary Portland cement:
 The 43-grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is
43N/mm2 when tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions. This type of
cement is used for plain concrete work and plastering works.

53- Grade Ordinary Portland cement:

 The 53-grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is
53 N/mm2 when tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions. This type of
cement is not used for ordinary works. It is mostly used for the structural purposes as in
reinforced cement concrete.
HYDRATION OF PORTLAND CEMENT
Introduction
 The reaction of cement and water is known as hydration due to this hydration cement paste
gives binding properties to the concrete. During the process, lots of gasses are evolved
namely C3S, C2S, C3A, C4AF these chemical compounds which are known by the name
Bogue’s compounds.
 The OPC consists of the following the hydration of the Bogue’s compounds is responsible
for setting and hardening of cement. When water is added to cement, C 3A gets hydrates
first, then C3S gets hydrated and there after C2S gets hydrates. C4AF has no role in setting
and hardening of cement.

Cement consists of the following major compounds (see composition of cement):

 Tricalcium silicate, C3S
 Dicalcium silicate, C2S
 Tricalcium aluminate, C3A
 Tetracalciumaluminoferrite, C4AF

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Bogue’s compounds:

Name of Compound Formula Mass % Functions & Properties

Gives early strength to cement.

Tricalcium silicate 3 CaO.SiO2
30-40 Heat of hydration is 120 Cal/gm
Gives later strength i.e. after 7 days.
Dicalcium silicate 2 CaO.SiO2
20-40 Less heat of hydration
Gives initial setting and strength
Tricalcium aluminate 3 CaO.Al2O3 8-12
High heat of hydration 320 Cal/g
Very high heat of hydration. Contributes
Tetracalciumalumino 4 6-10 to the colour effects that makes cement
ferrite CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3 grey.

Properties of Bogue’s Compounds

Tricalcium silicate, C3S
• It is responsible for early strength
• First 7 days strength is due to C3S
• It produces more heat of Hydration
• Cement with more C3S content is better for cold weather concreting.

Dicalcium silicate, C2S

• The hydration of C2S starts after 7 days. Hence, it gives strength after 7 days.
• C2S hydrates and hardens slowly and provides much of the ultimate strength.
• It is responsible for the later strength of concrete.
• It produces less heat of hydration

Tricalcium aluminate, C3A

• The reaction of C3A with water is very fast and may lead to an immediate stiffening of
paste, and this process is termed as flash set.
• To prevent this flash set, 2 to 3 % gypsum is added at the time of grinding the cement
clinkers.
• The hydrate C3A do not contribute to the strength of concrete

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Tetra calcium alumino ferrite, C4AF
• C4AF hydrates rapidly.
• It does not contribute to the strength of concrete.
• The hydrates of C4AF show a comparatively higher resistance to sulphate attack than the
hydrates of C3A

More about hydration reaction.

 Two silicates, namely C3S and C2S, control the most of the strength giving properties. Upon
hydration, both C3S and C2S give the same product called calcium silicate hydrate (C3S2H3)

and calcium hydroxide. Tricalcium silicate (C3S) giving a faster rate of reaction
accompanied by greater heat evolution develops early strength.
 On the other hand, dicalcium silicate (C2S) hydrates and hardens slowly and provides much
of the ultimate strength. It is likely that both C3S and C2S phases contribute equally to the
eventual strength of cement as can be seen in figure 1, C3S and C2S need approximately 24
and 21 percent water by weight, respectively for chemical reaction, but C3S liberates nearly
3 times as much calcium hydroxide chemical reaction as C2S. However, C2S provides more
resistance to chemical attack.
 Thus higher percentage of C3S results in rapid hardening with an early gain in strength at
a higher heat of hydration. On the other hand, a higher percentage of C 2S results in slow
hardening, less heat of hydration and greater resistance to chemical attack.

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Figure 2: Contribution of cement compounds to the strength of concrete

 The compound tricalcium aluminates (C3A) is characteristically fast reacting with water
and may lead to an immediate stiffening of paste and this process is termed flash set.
The role of gypsum added in the manufacture of cement is to prevent such fast reaction.
C3A reacts with 40 percent of water by mass, and this is more than that required for
silicates. However, since the amount of C3A in cement is comparatively small, the net water

required for the hydration of cement is not substantially affected. It provides weak
resistance against sulphate attack and its contribution to the development of strength of
cement is perhaps less significant.

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TESTS ON AGGREGATES
To decide the suitability of the aggregate for use in construction, following tests are carriedout:
 Crushing Strength test
 Abrasion test
 Impact test
 Soundness test
 Shape test
 Specific gravity and water absorption test
Crushing Strength test
The aggregate crushing value provides a relative measure of resistance to crushing under
gradually applied crushing load.
Procedure:
1) Dry aggregates passing through 12.5 mm sieves and retained 10 mm sieves are filled in a
cylindrical measure of 11.5 mm diameter and 18 cm height in three layers.
2) Each layer is tampered 25 times with at standard tamping rod.
3) The test sample is weighed and placed in the test cylinder in three layers each layer being
tampered again.
4) The specimen is subjected to a compressive load of 40 tonnes gradually applied at the rate
of 4 tonnes per minute.
5) Then crushed aggregates are then sieved through 2.36 mm sieve and weight of passing
material (W2) is expressed as percentage of the weight of the total sample (W1) which is
the aggregate crushing value.

Crushing test
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Abrasion test
 Abrasion test is carried out to test the hardness property of aggregates and to decide
whether they are suitable for different pavement construction works. Los Angeles abrasion
test is a preferred one for carrying out the hardness property
 The principle of Los Angeles abrasion test is to find the percentage wear due to relative
rubbing action between the aggregate and steel balls used as abrasive charge.
Procedure:
1) Los Angeles machine consists of circular drum of internal diameter 700 mm and length
520 mm mounted on horizontal axis enabling it to be rotated.
2) An abrasive charge consisting of cast iron spherical balls of 48 mm diameters and weight
340-445 g is placed in the cylinder along with the aggregates.
3) The number of the abrasive spheres varies according to the grading of the sample.
4) The quantity of aggregates to be used depends upon the gradation and usually ranges from
5-10 kg.
5) The cylinder is then locked and rotated at the speed of 30-33 rpm for a total of 500 -1000
revolutions depending upon the gradation of aggregates.
6) After specified revolutions, the material is sieved through 1.7 mm sieve and passed fraction
is expressed as percentage total weight of the sample.
7) This value is called Los Angeles abrasion value.

Fig: Los Angeles abrasion test setup

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12
Impact test
The aggregate impact test is carried out to evaluate the resistance to impact of aggregates.
Procedure:
1) Aggregates passing 12.5 mm sieve and retained on 10 mm sieve is filled in a cylindrical
steel cup of internal dia 10.2 mm and depth 5 cm which is attached to a metal base of
impact testing machine.
2) The material is filled in 3 layers where each layer is tamped for 25 numbers of blows.
3) Metal hammer of weight 13.5 to 14 Kg is arranged to drop with a free fall of 38.0 cm by
vertical guides and the test specimen is subjected to 15 numbers of blows.
4) The crushed aggregate is allowed to pass through 2.36 mm IS sieve. And the impact value
is measured as percentage of aggregates passing sieve (W2) to the total weight of the sample
(W1).

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Fig:8.5.3 Impact test setup

Soundness test
 Soundness test is intended to study the resistance of aggregates to weathering action, by
conducting accelerated weathering test cycles. The Porous aggregates subjected to freezing
and thawing is likely to disintegrate prematurely.
 To ascertain the durability of such aggregates, they are subjected to an accelerated
soundness test

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Procedure:
1) Aggregates of specified size are subjected to cycles of alternate wetting in a saturated
solution of either sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate for 16 - 18 hours and then dried
in oven at 105-1100C to a constant weight.
2) After five cycles, the loss in weight of aggregates is determined by sieving out all
undersized particles and weighing.
3) The loss in weight should not exceed 12 percent when tested with sodium sulphate and 18
percent with magnesium sulphate solution.

Shape tests

The particle shape of the aggregate mass is determined by the percentage of flaky and elongated
particles in it.
Aggregates which are flaky or elongated are detrimental to higher workability and stability of
mixes.
The flakiness index is defined as the percentage by weight of aggregate particles whose least
dimension is less than 0.6 times their mean size.

Fig: (a) Flakiness gauge

The elongation index of an aggregate is defined as the percentage by weight of particles whose
greatest dimension (length) is 1.8 times their mean dimension. This test is applicable to aggregates
larger than 6.3 mm.

Fig: (b)Elongation gauge

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8.5.6 Specific Gravity & Water Absorption Test

The specific gravity of an aggregate is considered to be a measure of strength or quality of the

material. Stones having low specific gravity are generally weaker than those with higher specific
gravity values.

Procedure:
1) About 2 kg of aggregate sample is washed thoroughly to remove fines, drained and placed in
wire basket and immersed in distilled water at a temperature between 22- 32º C and a cover of
at least 5cm of water above the top of basket.
2) Immediately after immersion the entrapped air is removed from the sample by lifting the basket
containing it 25 mm above the base of the tank and allowing it to drop at the rate of about one
drop per second. The basket and aggregate should remain completely immersed in water for a
period of 24 hour afterwards.
3) The basket and the sample are weighed while suspended in water at a temperature of 22°C–
32°C. The weight while suspended in water is noted =W1g.
4) The basket and aggregates are removed from water and allowed to drain for a few minutes,
after which the aggregates are transferred to the dry absorbent clothes. The empty basket is
then returned to the tank of water jolted 25 times and weighed in water=W2g.
5) The aggregates placed on the absorbent clothes are surface dried till no further moisture could
be removed by this cloth. Then the aggregates are transferred to the second dry cloth spread in
single layer and allowed to dry for at least 10 minutes until the aggregates are completely
surface dry. The surface dried aggregate is then weighed =W3 g
6) The aggregate is placed in a shallow tray and kept in an oven maintained at a temperature of
110° C for 24 hrs. It is then removed from the oven, cooled in an air tight container and
weighted=W4 g.
(1) Specific gravity = (Dry weight of the aggregate /Weight of equal volume of water)
Apparent specific gravity = (dry weight of the aggregate/Weight of equal volume of waterexcluding
air voids in aggregate) (1) Specific gravity = W3 / ((W3– (W1– W2))
(2) Apparent specific gravity = W4 / (W4– (W1– W2)

(3) Water Absorption = ((W3 – W4) / W4) X 100

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ADMIXTURES
Admixtures is defined as a material other than cement, water and aggregates.it is used as
an ingredient of concrete and is added to the concrete before mixing.It is used to enhance
the properties of cement.

Classifications of admixtures
I Chemical Admixtures
Plasticizers, Super Plasticizers, Accelerators, Retarders, Air entraining agents etc..
II Mineral Admixtures
Cementations,Pozzolanic, Blast Furnace Slag, Fly ash, Silica Fume, Rice Husk etc..

Mineral Admixture
Introduction

Also called ‘Supplementary Cementing Materials’

Used when special performance is needed: Increase in strength, reduction in water demand,
impermeability, low heat of hydration, improved durability, correcting deficiencies in aggregate
gradation (as fillers), etc.
Result in cost and energy savings: Replacement of cement leads to cost savings; energy required
to process these materials is also much lower than cement
Environmental damage and pollution is minimized by the use of these by-products – about 6 – 7%
of total CO2 emission occurs from the production of cement
Usage depends on supply and demand forces, as well as the market potential and attitudes

Typical compositions

% by mass PC GGBFS F-FA C-FA SF

SiO2 21 35 50 35 90

Al2O3 5 8 25 20 2

Fe2O3 2 3 10 5 2

CaO 65 40 1 20 -

PC: Portland cement, GGBFS: Ground granulated blast furnace slag, F-FA: Type F fly ash, C-FA:
Type C fly ash, SF: Silica fume

TYPES OF MINERAL ADMIXTURES

Ground granulated blast furnace slag

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Blast furnace slag is a by-product of the extraction of iron from iron ore. Coke and limestone are
added as fluxes inside the blast furnace. The impurities in iron ore combine with the lime and rise
up to the surface of the blast furnace (shown in Figure 8), while the molten iron, which is heavier,
stays at the bottom.
The use of blast-furnace slag as a cementitious material is very old. 1892 was the first time that
Portland-blast furnace slag cement was manufactured. In the present day scenario, slag is used
almost in every country to varying degrees.
The reactivity of slag depends on the rate of cooling. In increasing order of reactivity, the cooling
processes may be ranked as: Slow cooling (in air), Rapid cooling (by water spray), and Quenching
(dipping in water).

Amongst mineral admixtures, slag possesses the highest specific gravity (~ 2.8 – 3.0). Because it
is a processed material, the fineness can be controlled to any desired degree. However, for most
typical applications, slag fineness is only slightly higher than cement fineness.

Effects on fresh and hardened concrete

1. Apart from delaying the initial set, slag does not significantly alter the fresh concrete
properties. The workability of slag concrete is similar to an equivalent PC concrete,
primarily because slag possesses the same level of fineness as PC.
2. The rate of strength gain is slowed down considerably when cement is replaced by slag.
The delay increases with increasing replacement. 100% slag concrete is also possible,
although the curing duration to produce the required strengths would need to be
substantially increased
3. The ultimate strengths with slag are generally improved; the durability is also improved
with the replacement of cement by slag.
4. Slag is the ideal admixture for marine concrete, as slag concrete shows excellent resistance
to chemical attack and corrosion
5. Slag concrete is reported to have higher carbonation rates compared to ordinary PC
concrete

Rice husk ash (RHA)

This is a high reactivity pozzolan obtained by controlled calcination of rice husk. Field-burnt rice
husk is almost crystalline in nature, and makes a weak pozzolan. Thus, to obtain a high degree of
pozzolanicity, a good control is needed while burning.
RHA usually contains a large amount of unburnt carbon which might adversely affect air
entrainment.
RHA is a fine material, with particle sizes less than 45 µm, and a surface area of 60000 m2/kg.
The particles are typically cellular. A high amount of reactive silica is present in the system (>
90%).
• Composition of rice husk ash (rha)- 90% of silica, 5% of carbon, 2% of K20

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 Highlights/advantages
1. The incorporation of rice husk ash significantly increases segregation resistance.
2. Rice husk ash improves the robustness of self-compacting high performance concrete.
3. Having a macro-porous structure, rice husk ash can be used as a viscosity modifying
admixture.
4. Rice husk ash and fly ash has synergic effect on self-compatibility and compressive
strength.

METAKAOLIN

This is obtained from calcination of kaolinite clay in the range of 740*C – 840*C.
The crystalline clay loses its structure at this temperature by the loss of bound water.
Considered to have twice the reactivity of most other pozzolans, metakaolin is a
valuable admixture for concrete/cement applications. Replacing portland cement with 8–20% (by
weight) metakaolin produces a concrete mix, which exhibits favorable engineering properties,
including: the filler effect, the acceleration of OPC hydration, and the pozzolanic reaction. The
filler effect is immediate, while the effect of pozzolanic reaction occurs between 3 and 14 days.

Advantages

1. Increased compressive and flexural strengths

2. Reduced permeability (including chloride permeability)
3. Increased resistance to chemical attack
4. Increased durability
5. Reduced effects of alkali-silica reactivity (ASR)
6. Enhanced workability and finishing of concrete
7. Reduced shrinkage, due to "particle packing" making concrete denser
8. Improved color by lightening the color of concrete making it possible to tint lighter integral
color.

Uses.

1. High performance, high strength, and lightweight concrete

2. Precast and poured-mold concrete
3. Fibercement and ferrocement products
4. Glass fiber reinforced concrete
5. Countertops, art sculptures (see for example the free-standing sculptures of Albert Vrana)

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 SILICA FUMES
These are the byproduct of the reduction of high purity quartz with coal in electrical arc furnaces
in the manufacture of Ferro silicon and Silicon metal.
These are spherical in shape and size less than 0.1 micron.
Surface area of silica fume is 20m2/g and it size is 100 times smaller than average cement particles.

Chemical composition of silica fume is,

85% of silica
1% Al2O3
6% of Fe2O3
12% of carbon

Properties silica fume

Specific gravity: 2.2

Typical fineness: 20000 m2/kg (average particle size ~ 0.1 – 0.5 µm)
Bulk density: As-produced - 130 to 430 kg/m3, slurry - 1320 to 1440 kg/m3, densified - 480 to
720 kg/m3
Colour: light grey to dark grey (lighter implies purer)
Cost: almost 10 times as much as PC
Typically used at 5 – 15% replacement level
Benefits from silica fume are due to the pozzolanic reaction that produces additional C-S-H, as
well as due to the particle packing (filler effect) of the fine silica fume particles

Effects on fresh concrete properties

1. Because of its high fineness, the use of silica fume causes an increase in the water demand
of concrete. Typically it is always used in conjunction with a super plasticizer.
2. Silica fume causes the mix to be sticky and cohesive. Because of its cohesiveness, a higher
slump is needed to place silica fume concrete.
3. Bleeding is reduced drastically. In fact, most silica fume mixes do not show any bleeding.

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Effects on hardened concrete properties

1. Compressive and flexural strengths are increased, while the chloride permeability and
diffusion are reduced significantly compared to ordinary PC concrete.
2. Amount of air-entraining agent required for a particular volume of air is increased in silica
fume concrete.
3. Freeze-thaw resistance is reduced slightly compared to normal concrete, but damage is
usually limited owing to the extremely low permeability of SFC.
4. In most cases, silica fume concrete shows better resistance to chemical attack (exceptions
being ammonium sulphate and magnesium sulphate attack),
5. Corrosion rate is reduced with the use of silica fume.
6. Carbonation depth is generally lowered.
7. SFC has very good abrasion and erosion resistance. This makes it an ideal choice for
industrial flooring.

FLY ASH
It is the residual form obtained from combustion of powdered coal and transported by the flue
gases and collected by electrostatic precipitation.
It has a surface area 300 to 700 m2/kg. Its particles are finer than cement particles.
It is light grey to dark grey in colour.
Chemical composition
30 to 60% of silicon
15 to 30% of Aluminum oxide (Al2O3)
30% of carbon
1to 7% of calcium oxide and
Small amount of MgO & SOIt is used in mass concreting in dams, retaining walls etc.
Uses of fly ash in concrete
As a mineral admixture it doesn’t harm to the concrete
As a synthetic aggregate: Fly ash aggregate can be produced by sintering.
The fly ash can be used for lightweight concrete.
Effect on hardened concrete properties
1. Strength gain of fly ash concrete is slower than normal concrete, as stated in the previous
sections. The potential for thermal cracking is much reduced compared to ordinary PC
concrete. Ultimate strengths are usually improved when fly ash is used.
2. Pozzolanic activity is proportional to the amount of particles under 10 µm in diameter.
3. Creep and shrinkage of fly ash concrete are typically higher than normal concrete.
4. More air-entraining admixture is needed to entrain air in fly-ash concrete.
5. The results on the effects of fly ash on sulphate resistance are inconclusive.
6. Expansions during alkali aggregate reaction are reduced by the use of fly ash.

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CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES
Chemical admixtures are the ingredients in concrete other than Portland cement, water, and
aggregate those are added to the mix immediately before or during mixing. Producers use
admixtures primarily to reduce the cost of concrete construction; to modify the properties of
hardened concrete; to ensure the quality of concrete during mixing, transporting, placing, and
curing; and to overcome certain emergencies during concrete operations.
Successful use of admixtures depends on the use of appropriate methods of batching and
concreting. Most admixtures are supplied in ready-to-use liquid form and are added to the concrete
at the plant or at the jobsite. Certain admixtures, such as pigments, expansive agents, and pumping
aids are used only in extremely small amounts and are usually batched by hand from premeasured
containers.

The effectiveness of an admixture depends on several factors including: type and amount of
cement, water content, mixing time, slump, and temperatures of the concrete and air. Sometimes,
effects similar to those achieved through the addition of admixtures can be achieved by altering
the concrete mixture-reducing the water-cement ratio, adding additional cement, using a different
type of cement, or changing the aggregate and aggregate gradation.

The most common reasons for using chemical admixtures in a concrete mix are:-

1. To increase workability without changing water content

2. To reduce water content without changing workability
3. To effect a combination of above
4. To adjust setting time
5. To reduce segregation and/or bleeding
6. To accelerate the rate of early strength gain
7. To improve pump ability
8. To increase strength
9. To improve potential durability and reduce permeability
10. To reduce the total cost of the materials used in the concrete
11. To compensate for certain poor aggregate grading/properties
12. To depress the freezing point of water in concrete at very low temperatures (up to minus
30°C)
13. To maintain adequate freezing and thawing resistance of concrete
14. To inhibit alkali-aggregate reactions (AAR)

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Types and Functions
Admixtures are classed according to function. There are five distinct classes of chemical
admixtures: air-entraining, water-reducing, retarding, accelerating, and plasticizers (super
plasticizers).All other varieties of admixtures fall into the specialty category whose functions
include corrosion inhibition, shrinkage reduction, alkali-silica reactivity reduction, workability
enhancement, bonding, damp proofing, and coloring. Air-entraining admixtures, which are used
to purposely place microscopic air bubbles into the concrete, are discussed more fully in Air-
EntrainedConcrete.
Water-reducing admixtures: usually reduce the required water content for a concrete mixture by
about 5 to 10 percent. Consequently, concrete containing a water-reducing admixture needs less
water to reach a required slump than untreated concrete. The treated concrete can have a lower
water-cement ratio. This usually indicates that a higher strength concrete can be produced without
increasing the amount of cement. Recent advancements in admixture technology have led to the
development of mid-range water reducers. These admixtures reduce water content by at least 8
percent and tend to be more stable over a wider range of temperatures. Mid-range water reducers
provide more consistent setting times than standard water reducers.
Retarding admixtures: which slow the setting rate of concrete, are used to counteract the
accelerating effect of hot weather on concrete setting.

High temperatures often cause an increased rate of hardening which makes placing and finishing
difficult. Retarders keep concrete workable during placement and delay the initial set of concrete.
Most retarders also function as water reducers and may entrain some air in concrete.
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.

Super plasticizers also known as plasticizers or high-range water reducers (HRWR), reduce water
content by 12 to 30 percent and can be added to concrete with a low-to-normal slump and water-
cement ratio to make high-slump flowing concrete. Flowing concrete is a highly fluid but workable
concrete that can be placed with little or no vibration or compaction. The effect of super plasticizers
lasts only 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the brand and dosage rate, and is followed by a rapid
loss in workability. As a result of the slump loss, super plasticizers are usually added to concrete
at the jobsite.
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Corrosion-inhibiting admixtures fall into the specialty admixture category and are used to slow
corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete. Corrosion inhibitors can be used as a defensive strategy
for concrete structures, such as marine facilities, highway bridges, and parking garages, that will
be exposed to high concentrations of chloride. Other specialty admixtures include shrinkage-
reducing admixtures and alkali-silica reactivity inhibitors. The shrinkage reducers are used to
control drying shrinkage and minimize cracking, while ASR inhibitors control durability problems
associated with alkali-silica reactivity.

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