Concrete Technology

Subject Code: SOE-B-CE505

Dr Swapnasarit Kar
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
OP Jindal University, Raigarh

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 1

 Unit II
Admixtures and Fresh Concrete: Chemical admixtures – Functions of Admixtures,
Classification of Admixtures, Mineral Additives, effects on concrete properties.
Workability, Factors affecting workability, Measurement of Workability, Requirements of
Workability, Segregation, Bleeding.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 2

 Chemical Admixtures
• Admixtures are the chemical compounds in concrete other than hydraulic cement (OPC), water and
aggregates, and mineral additives that are added to the concrete mix immediately before or during
mixing to modify one or more of the specific properties of concrete in fresh or hardened state.
• The use of admixture should offer an improvement not economically attainable by adjusting the
proportions of water, cement and aggregates, and should not adversely affect the performance of the
concrete.
• Admixtures are no substitute for good concreting practice.
• An admixture should be employed only after an appropriate evaluation of its effects on the performance
of concrete under the conditions in which the concrete is intended to be used.
• The admixtures have formulated chemical composition and special chemical action, and are used to
modify certain properties of concrete.
• They are used primarily to reduce the cost of concrete construction; to modify the performance of
hardened concrete; to ensure the quality of concrete during mixing, transporting, placing, compacting
and curing; and to overcome certain emergencies during concreting operations.
• The properties commonly modified are that the rate of hydration or setting times, workability, dispersion
and air-entrainment.
• The admixture is generally added in a relatively small quantity.
• Most admixtures are supplied in ready-to-use liquid form and are added to the concrete at the mixing
plant or at the jobsite.
• The effectiveness of an admixture depends on several factors including; type and quantity of cement,
water content, mixing time, slump, and temperatures of the concrete and air.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 3

 Mineral Additives
• The mineral additives or supplementary cementing materials, on the other hand, have
no formulated chemical composition nor do they have any special chemical action
distinct from pozzolana.
• These materials do not have any binding property by themselves but react with calcium
hydroxide liberated on hydration of cement to produce cementing compound with
good binding properties.
• These are added in large quantities to improve performance of the concrete and reduce
the cost of construction.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 4

 Functions of Admixtures
1. To accelerate the initial set of concrete, i.e., 9. To control the alkali-aggregate expansion or
to speed up the rate of development of alkali-silica reactivity (ASR).
strength at early ages. 10. To inhibit the corrosion of reinforcement in
2. To retard the initial set, i.e., to keep concrete concrete.
workable for a longer time for placement. 11. To increase the resistance to chemical attack.
3. To enhance the workability. 12. To reduce the heat of hydration.
4. To improve the penetration (flowability) and 13. To increase the bond between old and new
pumpability of concrete. concrete surfaces.
5. To reduce the segregation in grout and 14. To enhance the bond of concrete to the steel
concrete mixtures. reinforcement.
6. To increase the strength of concrete by 15. To produce non-skid wearing surfaces
reducing the water content and by 16. To produce cellular concrete.
densification of concrete. 17. To produce colored concrete or mortar for
7. To increase the durability of concrete, i.e., to colored surfaces.
enhance its resistance to special conditions 18. To decrease the weight of concrete per cubic
of exposure. meter.
8. To decrease the capillary flow of water 19. To produce concrete of fungicidal, germicidal
through concrete and to increase its and insecticidal properties.
impermeability to liquids.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 5

 Classification of Admixtures
• The admixtures may be broadly classified as belonging to the general category and the specialty
category.
• According to the functions or characteristic effects produced by them, there are four distinct
classes of general category chemical admixtures.
• General-purpose admixtures:
• (a) Accelerating admixtures or Accelerator
• (b) Retarding admixtures or Retarder
• (c) Air-entraining admixtures
• (d) Water-reducing admixtures
• Specialty category admixtures:
• (a) Grouting admixtures
• (b) Air-detraining admixtures
• (c) Gas-forming admixtures
• (d) Corrosion inhibiting admixtures
• (e) Shrinkage reducing admixtures
• (f) Water or damp-proofing and permeability reducing admixtures
• (g) Bonding admixtures
• (h) Concrete surface hardening admixtures
• (i) Colouring admixtures or pigments
• (j) Fungicidal, germicidal and insecticidal admixtures

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 6

 Accelerating Admixture or Accelerator
• An admixture when added to concrete, mortar or grout, increases the rate of hydration
of a hydraulic cement, shortens the time of set, or increases the rate of hardening or
strength development.
• These are added to concrete either
• (i) to increase the rate of hydration of hydraulic cement, and hence to increase the rate of
development of strength, or
• (ii) to shorten the setting time.
• (iii) when the concrete is to be placed at low temperatures.
• An increase in the rate of early strength development may help in
• (i) earlier removal of forms,
• (ii) reduction of required period of curing, and
• (iii) earlier placement of structure in service.
• The benefits of reduced time of setting may include
• (i) early finishing of surface,
• (ii) reduction of period of time during which the forms are subjected to hydraulic pressure; and
• (iii) more effective plugging of leaks against hydraulic pressure.
• Accelerators speed up the dissolution and hydration of cement compounds, especially
tricalcium silicate, through a catalytic mechanism.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 7

 Accelerating Admixture or Accelerator
• The most widely used accelerator is calcium chloride (CaCl2), available as flakes (77 per cent
CaCl2) or in the fused from (92 per cent CaCl2). It is always dissolved in a part of mixing water
before use. It is the solid mass, which is reckoned in the admixture.
• Calcium chloride can be used up to 2% by mass of cement, but IS 7861 (Part II)–1981 limits it to
1.5% for plain and reinforced concrete in cold weather. However,
• CaCl₂ or chloride-based admixtures are not allowed in prestressed concrete due to stress corrosion risk.
• They should also be avoided in concrete prone to alkali-aggregate reactions or exposed to sulfate-rich soils
or water.
• The benefits of CaCl2 are more evident below 25°C. Using 2% by mass of cement can reduce
setting time by one-third and increase compressive strength by 3 to 8 MPa in 1 to 7 days.
• Additionally, 2% CaCl2 accelerates hydration similarly to an 11°C temperature rise.
• Other less commonly used accelerators include:
• NaCl, Na₂SO₄, NaOH, Na₂CO₃, K₂SO₄, and KOH. Na₂SO₄ and K₂SO₄ accelerate cement hydration
• NaOH or KOH can achieve rapid hydration within two hours.
• Calcium formate, a fine powder less soluble than calcium chloride, is less effective but does not adversely
affect the corrosion of embedded steel. It is added in the same dosages.
• Some of the accelerators containing fluro-silicates and trietholamine can reduce the period during which
concrete remains plastic to less than 10 minutes.
• An accelerator produced under the trade name ‘Quickset’, added at up to 0.2% by mass, can set cement in
seconds, useful for sealing pressure leaks.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 8

 Accelerating Admixture or Accelerator
• Most accelerating admixtures minimally
affect rheology (flowability) and
consistency at early ages but can reduce
workability later due to rapid hydration.
• They do not cause adverse chemical
effects on concrete.
• The selection of the optimum amount
should be based on the
• Type of cement,
• Temperature of concrete and
• The ambient temperature.
• Large doses of CaCl2 result in flash set of
concrete and also in increased shrinkage.
• The effect of CaCl2 on the compressive
strength of concrete is shown in side
Figure.
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 9
 Retarding Admixtures or Retarder
• An admixture which delays the setting of cement paste, and hence of mixtures, such as
mortar or concrete containing cement.
• Retarders are used to counteract the adverse effects of high temperature, low humidity,
and wind, keeping concrete workable during placement to prevent cold joints.
• Retarders delay setting of cement either by forming a thin coating on the cement
particles (thus slowing down their dissolution in and reaction with water) or by
increasing the intra-molecular distance of reacting silicates and aluminates from water
molecules by forming certain transient compounds in the system.
• The effect of retarders diminishes as silicates and aluminate hydrates form, normalizing
the hydration process.
• Thus a retarding admixture holds back the hydration process, leaving more water for
workability and allowing concrete to be finished and protected before drying out.
• Some retarders lower the water requirement of the mixture making further reductions
possible in the water-cement ratio. They may also entrain some air in concrete.
• Retarders are also added in the concrete that has to be hauled long distances in transit
mix trucks, to ensure that it remains in plastic and placeable condition. Ready mixed
concrete technology employs retarders with an advantage, i.e., for the purpose of
retaining the slump and so, workability.
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 10
 Retarding Admixtures or Retarder
• The retarders do not affect significantly the final setting time of cement nor do they
have much influence on 28-days strength.
• The materials used as water-reducing and set controlling admixtures, generally called
retarding plasticizer, belong to the following groups:

Soluble Carbohydrate Derivatives:

• Admixture like sugar, water-soluble carbohydrates such as soluble starch, dextrin, etc.,
are effective.
• Very small dosage of the order of 0.05 to 0.1 per cent of mass of cement is enough.
0.05 per cent sugar can delay initial setting time by about four hours.
• It virtually kills setting of cement.
Inorganic Retarders:
• These are based on hydroxides of zinc and lead, alkali-bicarbonates, calcium borate, etc.

Hydroxides of zinc: Zn(OH)2, Hydroxide of lead: Pb(OH)2, Alkali-bicarbonates: Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) etc.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 11

 Air-entraining Admixtures
• An admixture for concrete or mortar which causes air to be
incorporated in the form of minute bubbles in the concrete or
mortar during mixing, usually to increase workability and
resistance to freezing and thawing and disruptive action of
de-icing salts.
• It is generally recognized that a proper amount of entrained
air results in improved properties of plastic concrete like
workability, easier placing and finishing, increased durability,
better resistance to frost action and reduction in bleeding and (a) 5–6 per cent total air voids
segregation.
• Air-entraining agents are anionic surfactants, which are
adsorbed on to the cement particles, forming a sheath of
limited solubility.
• The entrained air bubbles, ranging approximately from 0.05
to 0.25 mm diameter and spaced 0.003 mm apart reduce the
capillary forces in concrete. The capillaries are interrupted by
relatively large non-inter-connecting air voids in air-entrained
concrete.
(b) 17 per cent total air voids
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12
 Air-entraining Admixtures
• Air-entraining agents are anionic surfactants that form a
limited-solubility sheath on cement particles.
• Entrained air bubbles (0.05 to 0.25 mm in diameter)
reduce capillary forces and create non-interconnecting
voids in the concrete.
• Optimal air content is typically 3-6%.
• Air content in fresh concrete can be measured by
gravimetric, volumetric, or pressure methods.

Air-entraining compounds
• Air-entraining compounds include wood resins, sulfonated
compounds, and animal/vegetable fats and oils.
• Sulfonated hydrocarbon salts plasticize concrete,
especially useful with harsh aggregates or fine-deficient
sand.
• Vinsol resin-based agents are used in mass concrete and
highway pavements.
• Fly ash and fine materials reduce entrained air, requiring
more air-entraining agents.
• Using air-entraining agents with water reducers can cut
agent quantity by 50-60%. Structure of air-entrained concrete

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 13

 Air-entraining Admixtures
• Air-entrainment improves durability and
plasticity but may reduce concrete strength.
• Each 1% increase in air content lowers
compressive strength by about 1.4 MPa.
• Reducing water-cement ratio and sand content
due to air-entrainment helps compensate for
strength loss.
• The beneficial amount of entrained air depends
upon the
• type and quantity of air-entraining agent;
• water–cement ratio of the mix;
• type, grading and maximum size of aggregates;
• mixing time (entrained air content initially increases
with mixing time but decreases after prolonged
mixing)
• extent of compaction of concrete (entrained air Maximum size of Naturally entrained Optimal total
content reduced by the process of compaction or aggregate (mm)
vibration and decreases with vibration time)
• the temperature (entrained air content decreases 10 4.0 14±2
with the increase in temperature of concrete) 12.5 3.0 8±1.5
• type of cement.
20 2.5 7.5±1.5
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 14
 Air-entraining Admixtures
• Air-entrained concrete is more plastic and workable than non-air-entrained concrete. A 75
mm slump in air-entrained concrete has better placeability than a 125 mm slump in non-
air-entrained concrete.
• Air-entraining admixtures improve durability, reduce absorption, permeability, and weak
planes, increasing resistance to freezing, thawing, and de-icing salts.
• Air entrainment greatly reduces segregation, bleeding, and laitance. These reductions are
probably due to
• Firstly, Air bubbles buoy up aggregates and cement, reducing sedimentation in fresh concrete.
• Secondly, Bubbles decrease the effective area for water movement.
• Thirdly, They enhance adhesion between cement and aggregate.
• Lastly, The large surface area of voids slows down water separation from the paste.
• Air-entrained concrete is more resistant to chemical attack than normal concrete.
• It reduces alkali-aggregate reactions.
• Minute air bubbles act like fine aggregates, allowing sand and water reduction without
affecting workability or slump.
• Air-entrained concrete has about 5% less solid material, leading to lower density.
During freeze cycles, the pressure exerted by the expanded volume of ice is taken up by the air bubbles acting like tiny springs and during thaw cycles these bubbles revert back to their
original size.
Segregation usually implies separation of coarser aggregate from mortar or separation of cement paste from aggregates.
Bleeding is the autogenous flow of mixing water within, or its emergence to the surface from freshly placed concrete, usually, as a result of sedimentation of the solids due to
compaction and self-weight of the solids. A layer of water may emerge at the surface of the concrete, often bringing some cement with it.
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 15
 MCQs
• Admixtures can be used to
(a) accelerate initial setting of concrete
(b) increase the strength of concrete
(c) reduce heat of evolution
(d) Any of the above
• Answer: D
• An accelerator shortens all of the following except
(a) setting time
(b) period of curing
(c) period of removal of formwork
(d) strength of concrete
• Answer: D

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 16

 MCQs
• Addition of a retarder to concrete decreases all of the following except
(a) rate of hydration
(b) water–cement ratio
(c) workability and compressive strength
(d) rate of evolution of heat
• Answer C
• Addition of air-entraining agents to concrete increases all of the following except
(a) workability
(b) strength of concrete
(c) durability
(d) impermeability
• Answer: B

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 17

 MCQs
• An admixture
• (a) is a basic ingredient of concrete
• (b) offers improvement not economically attained by adjusting mix proportions
• (c) is a substitute for good concreting practice
• (d) is beneficial to the properties of concrete when used in large quantities
• Answer: B
• Admixtures can be used to
(a) improve impermeability
(b) inhibit the corrosion of concrete
(c) produce cellular concrete
(d) Any of the above
• Answer: D

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 18

 Water Reducing Admixtures (WRA)
• An admixture which either increases workability of freshly mixed mortar or
concrete without increasing water content or maintains workability with a
reduced amount of water.
• The organic or combinations of organic and inorganic substances to achieve
these objectives are termed as plasticizing admixtures.
• Benefits of water reduction in hardened state of concrete are increased strength,
density, durability, volume stability, abrasion resistance, reduced permeability
and cracking.
• The specific effect of water-reducing and set controlling admixtures vary with the
type of cement, water–cement ratio, mixing temperature, ambient temperature
and other job conditions, and therefore, it is generally recommended that the
admixture used be adjusted to meet the job conditions.
• A good plasticizer fluidizes the mortar or concrete in a manner different from
that of the air-entraining agents. Since the entrainment of air reduces the
mechanical strength, a good plasticizer is the one does not entrain air more than
one to two per cent.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 19

 Water Reducing Admixtures (WRA)
• The mechanism of action of plasticizers are: (a) Dispersion and (b) Retarding effect.
• Dispersion
• When Portland cement is in a fine state, it tends to flocculate in wet concrete, trapping
some water and reducing its availability to fluidize the mix. Plasticizers, when added,
adsorb onto the cement particles, creating repulsive forces (Zeta Potential) that
overcome attractive forces, deflocculating and dispersing the cement.
• Retarding effect
• The plasticizer adsorbs onto cement particles, forming a thin sheath that inhibits
surface hydration. As hydration progresses, the amount of available plasticizer
decreases as polymers get trapped in hydration products.
• One or more of the following mechanisms may take place simultaneously:
• (a) Reduction in the surface tension of water.
• (b) Induced electrostatic repulsion between particles of cement.
• (c) Lubricating film between cement particles.
• (d) Dispersion of cement grains, releasing water trapped within cement flocs.
• (e) Inhibition of the surface hydration of the cement particles, leaving more water to fluidify the mix.
• (f) Change in the morphology of the hydration products.
• (g) Induced steric hindrance preventing particle-to-particle contact.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 20

 Water Reducing Admixtures (WRA)
• Admixtures that reduce water by more than 5% are classified as water reducers
or plasticizers.
• They are categorized as
• Normal (5-10% reduction),
• Mid-range (10-15% reduction), and
• High-range water reducers (HRWR) or superplasticizers, (20-40% reduction).
• Mid-range water reducers are more stable across temperatures and offer
consistent setting times.
• Superplasticizers, can be added to a concrete mix having a low-to-normal slump
and water–cement ratio to produce high-slump flowing concrete.
• The effect of superplasticizers lasts only for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on its
composition and dosage, and is followed by a rapid loss in workability. As a result
of the slump loss, superplasticizers are usually added to concrete at the job site.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 21

 WRA: Mid-range Water Reducer
The mid-range water-reducing admixtures can be categorized as:
• 1. Derivatives of lignosulfonic acids and their salts (e.g., Ca, Na, NH4 salts)
• 2. Hydroxylated carboxylic acids and their salts
• 3. Modifications and derivatives of hydroxylated carboxylic acids and their salts
• 4. Processed carbohydrates
• Lignosulfonates and carboxylic acid derivatives and their salts are water-reducing and
set-retarding admixtures that delay setting by 2-4 hours and reduce water requirements
by 8-15%.
• They can increase early strength slightly and boost 28-day strength by 10-20%.
• These admixtures can be combined with accelerators or retarders.
• Carbohydrate derivatives and calcium lignosulfonate are used in small amounts (~1%),
while hydroxylated carboxylic acid derivatives (0.1 to 0.2% by mass of cement) are more
effective in mixes with higher cement content.
• Modified lignosulfonates are more effective in concrete with relatively low cement
contents and dosage would vary from 0.1 to 0.3 per cent for sodium lignosulfonate and
0.3 to 0.5 per cent for calcium lignosulfonate.
• Concretes with lignosulfonate admixture have a tendency to entrap additional air in the
range of 0.5 to 2.0 per cent by volume of concrete and is amenable to thorough
compaction with a lower tendency for bleeding.
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 22
 WRA: High-range Water Reducers (HRWR) or Superplasticizers
• These admixtures are principally surface reactive agents (surfactants). They confer negative charge on
individual cement particles (and also its hydrated particles) such that they are kept in a dispersed or
suspended state due to inter-particle repulsion. Thus they confer high mobility to the particles.
• Superplasticizers optimize water content, water-cement ratio, and workability.
• They enhance both plastic and hardened concrete properties.
• Ideal superplasticizer: Cost-effective, cohesive, low-viscosity, prevents segregation, bleeding, and
foaming, and works well with various cements and additives.
• A simple way of utilizing the superplasticizer is to proportion the ingredient of the mixture to produce
the required hardened physical properties and then add sufficient superplasticizer to achieve required
consistency or workability.
• Superplasticizers are used to: To produce flowing concrete (self-compacting concrete), To produce
concrete with very low water–cement ratio, To produce high performance concrete and To produce
concrete mix with reduced cement content.
• Classification of Super Plasticizing Admixtures:
• Category A: Sulfonated melamine–formaldehyde condensates (SMF)
• Category B: Sulfonated naphthalene–formaldehyde condensates (SNF)
• Category C: Modified-lignosulfonates (MLS)
• Category D: Carboxylated acrylic ester Co-polymers (CAEC)
• Currently available superplasticizing admixtures are water-soluble, high molecular weight organic
compounds, either synthetic or derived from natural products.
• These admixtures do not entrain significant air, as they do not significantly lower the surface tension of
concrete pore water compared to normal and mid-range plasticizers, allowing for use in high proportions.
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 23
 Sulfonated melamine–formaldehyde condensates (SMF)
• Sulfonated melamine-formaldehyde (SMF) condensates or poly-melamine sulfonates (PMS) are
widely used superplasticizers in the concrete industry.
• They are typically used as water-soluble sodium salts.
• These superplasticizers are ideal as they don't interfere with cement hydration, even at high
doses, and don't entrain air.
• The dosage can reach up to 3% of cement mass, with diminishing effects beyond this point.
• In water-reduced concrete, workability decreases rapidly, and set time may accelerate by 30-40
minutes, with 24-hour strength exceeding 150% of normal concrete.
• At 40°C, workability of a flowing mix may drop to a 70 mm slump within 15 minutes. It is
therefore, preferable to add this category of superplasticizer directly into the ready mix truck at
the job site and then place the concrete as quickly as possible.
• If workability is lost before placing, a second dose can be added without harming mechanical
properties, unlike other superplasticizers.
• These superplasticizers, which reduce air entrainment, may cause bleeding or segregation, so
higher sand content is recommended, and minimal vibration is required.
• Best used for low-temperature concreting or when high early strength is needed.
• Molecular weight in the range of 20000.

The molecular mass (m) is the mass of a given molecule. and are calculated from the standard atomic weights
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 24
 Sulfonated naphthalene–formaldehyde condensates (SNF)
• The most commonly accepted compounds in this group are poly-B-
naphthalene sulfonates.
• These condensates are employed in the form of sodium salts for their easy
solubility in water.
• They offer greater set retardation and air entrainment than category-A
superplasticizers, while significantly extending workability. This allows
dosing at ready mix plants before transport.
• The slight air entrainment does not affect mix cohesiveness, so high sand
content is recommended to prevent bleeding and segregation.
• Very effective for pre-cast concrete.
• Molecular weight in the range of 2000.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 25

 Category C: Modified-lignosulfonates (MLS)
• This category of superplasticizer gives greatest workability retention and is
therefore very effective at high ambient temperatures or where long
trucking distances are to be covered or where placing delays may occur.
• Conversely they give the most set retardation and, therefore, generally give
the lowest 24-hour strengths.
• An increase of one to two per cent in the level of entrained air in the
mixture is obtained. This usually obviates the need to increase the sand
content of high workability mixes and reduces the likelihood of segregation
and bleeding.
• Example: sodium lignosulfonates, magnesium lignosulfonates, calcium
lignosulfonates, etc.
• The molecular weight varies from few hundred to 100 000.

Lignosulfonates are naturally occurring macromolecular organic compounds obtained as a byproduct from wood pulp production.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 26

 Category D: Carboxylated acrylic ester Co-polymers (CAEC)
• With traditional superplasticizers of melamine or naphthalene sulfonated
formaldehyde formulations the dramatic increase in flowability is not long lasting
and point of addition of admixture is important. These factors prove to be major
drawbacks in case of delay in placement, long haul of concrete and hot weather
concreting conditions. CAEC admixtures overcome these placement drawbacks.
• The acrylic polymers (AP) are normally used as active ingredients of this category
of superplasticizers. Besides producing a concrete mix with a lower slump loss,
AP-based superplasticizers perform better than the traditional sulfonated
polymers even in the terms of higher reduction in water–cement ratio at a given
workability or higher slump level for a given mix composition.
• However, AP- superplasticizers are more expensive than the others and hence
not commonly used.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 27

 Factors Affecting the Efficiency of the Superplasticizer
• Some of the important factors affecting the efficiency of the
superplasticizer are:
• Type of superplasticizer,
• Dosage level of the admixture,
• Cement (type and content),
• Slump loss with time, and
• Mode of addition.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 28

 Factors Affecting the Efficiency of the Superplasticizer
Type of superplasticizer
• The higher the molecular mass the higher is the efficiency.
• The viscosity of concrete mix, a property that greatly influences product performance,
i.e., fluidification of cementing system, reflects the average molecular mass of the
polymer.
• It should be noted, however, that there is a maximum value of molecular mass beyond
which the dispersion effect is decreased.
• Chemical nature of the superplasticizer, whether naphthalene or melamine based, can
also have an effect on the rheological behavior of a concrete mix.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 29

 Factors Affecting the Efficiency of the Superplasticizer
Dosage level of admixture
• The workability in terms of slump increases with
the increase in amount of superplasticizer for the
same water–cement ratio.
• Beyond a particular dosage after which any
addition of superplasticizer does not significantly
reduce the slump: saturation point.
• A typical curve showing the variation of slump with
the dosage of superplasticizer is shown in Figure.
• In fact, it could be detrimental to use a higher
dosage, as with excessive amount of
superplasticizer, the aggregates and cement
particles begin to segregate.
• The dosage of plasticizers normally do not exceed
• 0.25 per cent by weight of cement in case of
lignosulfonates
• 0.1 per cent in case of carboxylic acids
• 0.5 to 3.00 per cent for SMF or SNF (require
considerably high dosages since they do not entrain
air).
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 30
 Factors Affecting the Efficiency of the Superplasticizer
Cement (type and content)
• Influence of cement composition The finer the cement, the higher the superplasticizer dosage
required to achieve a given workability, i.e., higher the cement fineness, the lower is the
fluidizing effect.
• Among the cement constituents, which exert major influence on the properties of super
plasticized mixes are: the C3A content and its morphology, the alkali content, and the form of
calcium sulfate added to the clinker.
Mode of addition
• An immediate addition procedure (superplasticizer introduced with gaging water) produces a
less workable mixture than that obtained by the delayed addition of same superplasticizers
(after an initial mixing period of say one minute).
Mixing procedures
• Hand mixing is not advised.
• When using a concrete mixer, typically 80% of the total water is added to the empty drum
before loading materials. For superplasticizers, it's better to add all the water except for one
liter. The superplasticizer is diluted in the reserved water and added to the drum in two or three
installments over the well-mixed concrete for proper dispersion.
• After adding the superplasticizer, mix the concrete for an additional minute before discharging.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 31

 Site Problems in the Use of Superplasticizers
• Lack of knowledge of slump of reference mix (i.e., concrete without plasticizer),
• Inefficient laboratory mixer for premix trials,
• Problem with crusher dust (interferes with plasticized properties of mix and hence the
desired results may not be obtained)
• Compatibility with cement*
• Selection of plasticizer and superplasticizer
• Determination of dosage
• Slump loss#

*The major cement and admixture factors that influence the rheological behavior in HPC are: tricalcium aluminate (C3A) content,
Blaine fineness of cement and the solubility of the gypsum present in the cement; the monomer content and the molecular mass
fractions.
#Slump loss can be controlled or managed by taking recourse to any one or more of the corrective actions—providing high initial
slump, by using retarders, by using retarding plasticizer or superplasticizer, by repetitive dose, by dosing at final point, by keeping
temperature low, and by using superplasticizer which is compatible with the cement.
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 32
 Grouting Admixtures
• The grout material should have high early and ultimate strength, should be
free flowing even at low water content, should develop good bond with
previously set or hardened concrete, essentially it should be non-shrink in
nature. (used in machine foundations, foundation bolts and fixing crane rails and to fill
up small cracks).
• Some retarders are especially useful in cement grout slurries, particularly
where the grouting is prolonged, or in the cases where the grout must be
pumped for a considerable distance, or where hot water or high
temperature is encountered underground.
• Some of the grouting admixtures are gels, clays, pregelatinized starch and
methylcellulose.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 33

 Air-detraining Admixtures
• These materials are used to
• Dissipate excess air or other gases, and
• Remove a part of the entrained air from a concrete mixture.
• A number of compounds, such as tributyl-phosphate, dibutylphathalate,
water-insoluble alcohols and silicones have been proposed for this
purpose.
• However, tributyl- phosphate is the most widely used air-detraining agent.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 34

 Gas-forming Admixture
• These admixtures when added to mortar or concrete mixture react chemically with
hydroxides present in the cement and form minute bubbles of hydrogen gas of size
ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm throughout the cement–water matrix.
• The gas is beneficial in improving the effectiveness of grout for filling joints, in
improving the homogeneity of grouted concrete, and in filling block outs and openings
in concrete structures.
• Aluminum powder may be used as the gas-forming admixture. The amount of powder
added usually varies from 0.005 to 0.02 per cent by mass of cement.
• Zinc and magnesium powders are also used for this purpose while hydrogen peroxide
and bleaching powder can be used in combination to produce oxygen instead of
hydrogen bubbles in the concrete.

Larger amounts of powder increase the expansion appreciably resulting in a gas-filled lightweight low strength concrete. These
are also called foamed concrete or aerated concrete or cellular concrete. These concretes are very light and are often used for
thermal insulation.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 35

 Corrosion-inhibiting Admixtures
• Corrosion-inhibiting admixtures are used to slow down corrosion of steel reinforcement
in concrete.
• Compounds, such as sodium benzoate, sodium nitrate, etc., can be used as corrosion-
inhibiting admixtures.
• A two per cent benzoate solution in mixing water may be used to prevent corrosion of
reinforcement.
• Sodium nitrate has been found to be effective in preventing corrosion of steel in
concrete containing calcium chloride.

Fungicidal, Germicidal and Insecticidal Admixtures

• Certain materials like polyhalogenated phenols, dieledren emulsions and copper
compounds when added as admixtures impart fungicidal, germicidal or insecticidal
properties to the hardened cement pastes, mortars or concretes.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 36

 Shrinkage Reducing Admixtures
• The shrinkage reducing, also called expansion-producing admixtures, either
expand themselves or react with other constituents of concrete resulting in
expansion. This expansion may be of about the same magnitude as the drying
shrinkage at later ages or may be little greater.
• A number of expansion producing agents have been reported, such as
granulated iron and chemicals, and anhydrous sulfoaluminate, etc.
• Granulated iron and chemicals promote oxidation of iron resulting in the
formation of iron oxide, which occupies an increased solid volume.
• These admixtures are employed in laying heavy machine foundations, patching,
production of shrinkage-compensating concrete which is free from shrinkage
cracks, and production of self-stressing and pre-stressed concretes, grouting the
ducts of post-tensioned members, grouting foundation holes, cast-in-situ joints
of precast construction, and for introducing self-stress in the concrete.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 37

 Physical Properties (IS 9103:1999, Reaffirmed 2018)

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 38

 Physical Properties (IS 9103:1999, Reaffirmed 2018)

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 39

 Preferred point of addition

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 40

 Details of common type of concrete admixtures

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 41

 Details of common type of concrete admixtures

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 42

 Mineral or Supplementary Additives
• Mineral additives also called supplementary cementing materials (pozzolana) are finely
ground siliceous materials which, as such, do not possess cementing property in
themselves, but react chemically with calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 released from the
hydration of Portland cement at normal temperature to form compounds of low
solubility having cementing properties.
• The action is termed pozzolanic action.
• These materials are often added to concrete to make concrete mixtures more
economical, reduce permeability, increase strength, or influence other concrete
properties, which can be used individually or in combination with Portland or blended
cement or as a partial replacement of Portland cement.
• Examples:
• Fly Ash (Class C or F), Silica Fume, Blast Furnace Slag, Rice husk ash, Metakaoline, and Surkhi.
• Other mineral additives, like finely ground marble, quartz, granite powder are also
used. They neither exhibit the pozzolanic property nor the cementing properties. They
just act as inert fillers.
• Pozzolanic materials are typically used to replace 10-50% of cement.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 43

 Advantages and Disadvantages
• Advantages:
• 1. Improved workability with lesser amount of water.
• 2. Lower heat of hydration and thermal shrinkage.
• 3. Improved resistance to attack from salts and sulfates from soils and sea water.
• 4. Reduced susceptibility to dissolution and leaching of calcium hydroxide.
• 5. Reduced permeability.
• 6. Lower costs.
• Disadvantages:
• Reduction in the rate of development of strength
• Curing for long time is required
• Increase in the drying shrinkage
• Reduction in durability (at times)

Note:
• It should be noted that since pozzolanic reaction can proceed in the presence of water, enough
moisture should be available for a long time to complete pozzolanic reaction. Therefore, fly ash
concrete need be cured for longer periods.
• Thus, the fly ash concrete used in under water structures such as dams will derive full benefits
of attaining improved long-term strength and water tightness.
• IS: 456–2000 permits the use of pozzolana like fly ash conforming to IS: 3812 (Part-II)– 1981 or
burnt clay conforming to IS: 1344–1982 as additives to the concrete.
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 44
 Fly Ash
• The fly ash or pulverized fuel ash (PFA) is the residue from the combustion of
pulverized coal collected by the mechanical dust collectors or electrostatic
precipitors or separators from the fuel gases of thermal power plants.
• Its composition varies with the type of fuel burnt, load on the boiler and type of
separator, etc.
• Like Portland cement, fly ash contains oxides of calcium, aluminum and silicon,
but the amount of calcium oxide is considerably less.
• The carbon content in fly ash should be as low as possible, whereas the silica
content should be as high as possible.
• The principal constituents of fly ash are:
• Silicon dioxide (SiO2) 30 to 60 per cent
• Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) 15 to 30 per cent
• Unburnt fuel (Carbon) up to 30 per cent
• Calcium oxide (CaO) 1 to 7 per cent
• Magnesium oxide (MgO) small amounts
• Sulfur trioxide (SO3) small amounts

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 45

 Tested according to procedures specified in IS: 1727–1967
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 46
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 47
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 48
UNIT II
Admixtures and Fresh Concrete: Chemical admixtures – Functions of
Admixtures, Classification of Admixtures, Mineral Additives, effects on
concrete properties. Workability, Factors affecting workability,
Measurement of Workability, Requirements of Workability,
Segregation, Bleeding.
UNIT III
Hardened Concrete and Durability: Compressive strength and parameters affecting it, Gain of strength with age, Maturity
Concept, Elasticity, Creep and shrinkage, Permeability of Concrete, Durability of Concrete, relation between durability and
permeability, corrosion of steel rebars.
UNIT IV
Concrete Mix Design and tests: Principles of concrete mix design, Concrete mix design steps as per Indian, American & British
methods, destructive and non-destructive tests on concrete.

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 49