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Different Types of Admixtures

The document discusses various types of concrete admixtures, including chemical admixtures like plasticizers, super plasticizers, accelerators, and set retarders, as well as mineral admixtures such as cementitious and pozzolanic materials. It highlights the uses of admixtures to improve workability, setting time, and bond strength, and outlines factors affecting their performance, including type, dosage, cement compatibility, ambient temperature, and mix composition. Additionally, it addresses common FAQs regarding the impact of admixtures on concrete strength and effectiveness.

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Osama Ehtawish
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4 views

Different Types of Admixtures

The document discusses various types of concrete admixtures, including chemical admixtures like plasticizers, super plasticizers, accelerators, and set retarders, as well as mineral admixtures such as cementitious and pozzolanic materials. It highlights the uses of admixtures to improve workability, setting time, and bond strength, and outlines factors affecting their performance, including type, dosage, cement compatibility, ambient temperature, and mix composition. Additionally, it addresses common FAQs regarding the impact of admixtures on concrete strength and effectiveness.

Uploaded by

Osama Ehtawish
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Different types of Admixtures

To obtain desired characteristics in concrete and to meet the requirements of the


structures built today, several different types of admixtures are used:

1) Chemical Admixtures

a) Plasticizers

Prior to concrete being put to use, it has to obtain a certain consistency. Plasticizers
are chemical admixtures that decrease the water-cement ratio in concrete by
around 5% to 12% and obtain the required consistency. Their addition to the mix
increases the workability of the concrete and makes it easier to pour and place in
accessible locations.

b) Super Plasticizers

Super Plasticizers are also known as ‘high range water reducers’. They are an
extremely effective type of chemical admixture, generally added to improve the
flowing ability, strength and durability of concrete. It is a self compacting concrete
that also achieves a reduction in water content without resulting in a loss of
workability.

c) Accelerator

As their name suggests, Accelerators speed up the setting and hardening process of
concrete. They increase the rate of hydration in hydraulic cement which then results
in a quicker setting time and improved strength development. Most commonly,
Accelerators are used in cold weather because they counteract the influence of
cooler temperatures slowing down the curing and setting process.

d) Set Retarders

Unlike Accelartors that speed up the setting and hardening process of concrete, Set
Retarders do the opposite. Generally used when concrete has to be transported to
long distances, set retarders slow down the setting and hardening process and
prevent the concrete from setting too quickly. They prove to be extremely helpful
when a delayed setting is required especially in hot weather.

2) Mineral Admixtures

a) Cementitious

Cementitious admixtures are most commonly used with ordinary portland cement or
pozzolanic materials (explained below) to make highly durable concrete structures.
A cementitious admixture has cementing properties that are typically used to
improve the strength and durability of concrete. The ground granulated blast
furnace slag is the best example of a cementitious admixture because it is highly
cementitious in nature.

b) Pozzolanic

Pozzolans, commonly referred to as "cement extenders," are substances that exhibit


cementitious properties when mixed with calcium hydroxide. The quality and
workability of the concrete are improved as a result of the reaction between the
components of concrete and pozzolans. A few examples of pozzolanic admixtures
are fly ash, silica fume, rice husk ash and metakaolin.

c) Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag

The Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBF) is a byproduct of iron production.
It is essentially a granular material formed when molten iron blast furnace slag is
rapidly mixed with or immersed in water. Because of their superior durability and
strength, GGBFs are typically used to make double concrete structures.

d) Fly Ash

This is the byproduct of coal-fired power plants. Fly ash is essentially a fine residue
generated as a result of the combustion of ground or powdered coal. This fine
residue is captured from the chimneys of coal-fired power plants. When used as an
admixture, fly ash lowers the concrete heat hydration and improves its workability
and durability.

e) Silica Fume

The admixture silica fume is the byproduct of the production of silicon metal and
ferrosilicon alloys. It is an extremely reactive pozzolan, with its mere addition
resulting in the concrete becoming highly durable and strong. Silica Fume reduces
the permeability of concrete, thus increasing its resistance to the surrounding
atmosphere and protecting steel from corrosion.

f) Rice Husk

When risk husks are burnt Rice Husk Ash is produced. This byproduct of burning rice
husks is used as a pozzolanic material that enhances the performance of self-
compacting high-performance concrete. It also contains a high level of silica and
improves the concrete characteristics of workability, impermeability, strength and
resistance to corrosion.

Uses of Admixtures

A concrete admixture is a quick setting cement that can be used for several
functions :

1) To improve the workability of the concrete without increasing or reducing the


water content.

2) To accelerate its setting time.

3) To enhance the pumpability of the concrete mixture.

4) To enhance the bond between existing and new concrete


5) To reduce segregation and bleeding of the concrete

6) To decrease the rate of slump loss

7) To increase the bond of concrete to steel reinforcement

8) To decrease heat evolution and increase water tightness

Factors affecting the Performance of Admixtures in Concrete

1 ) The type of admixture

The many different types of admixtures are designed to perform specific functions,
such as improving workability, setting time, strength or the durability of the
concrete. The type chosen affects how well the admixture will perform in concrete
since each type comprises of different chemical and physical properties.

2 ) Dosage

Since admixtures alter the properties of concrete, adding an excess or even an


insufficient amount to the concrete can greatly affect its functionality. Most
commonly, problems with segregation and bleeding can be caused when the
dosage of the admixture is not at the optimum level.

3 ) Cement type and compatibility

Every type of cement will yield different results with different admixtures. The
performance of the concrete is thus also determined by the compatibility between
an admixture and cement. Any incompatibility between the two will have an impact
on the concrete’s workability, segregation, durability and setting time.

4 ) Ambient temperature

The performance of the admixture also depends on the temperature of the


surrounding environment. Any increase in the surrounding temperature would result
in an increase in saturation dosage and impact the effectiveness of the concrete.
5 ) The Mix

The different constituents of admixtures have an effect on its final performance. The
addition of water, coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, cement, influence the
performance, physical interaction and dispersion and efficiency of admixtures.

FAQs

1) Do admixtures affect the strength of concrete ?

Yes, admixtures affect the strength of concrete. Through their water cement
reduction, hydrophobic effect, pore reduction and blocking, and functionalities, the
strength and durability of the concrete are considerably improved.

2) Why are admixtures used ?

Admixtures of both chemical and physical types can be used to improve the
properties of the concrete, influence the slump of the concrete, influence the
hydration and affect the acceleration and retardation time of the concrete amongst
other benefits.

3) What determines the effectiveness of admixtures ?

The effectiveness of admixtures depends on several factors including type and


amount of cement, water content, mixing time, slump and temperatures.

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