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CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES: A MAJOR ROLE IN MODERN CONCRETE MATERIALS

AND TECHNOLOGIES

Conference Paper · March 2014

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 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES: A MAJOR ROLE IN MODERN

CONCRETE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES

Darshan S. Shah1, Meet P. Shah2, Prof. Jayeshkumar Pitroda3

1
Student of first year M.E (C.E & M), B.V.M Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar
2
Student of first year M.E (C.E & M), B.V.M Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar
3
Assistant Professor and Research Scholar, Civil Engineering Department, B.V.M. Engineering College,
Vallabh Vidyanagar-Gujarat-India

1
darshan208@yahoo.com
2
meet_467@yahoo.co.in
3
jayesh.pitroda@bvmengineering.ac.in

Abstract: In recent decades, huge success has been achieved by using the Chemical and
Mineral admixtures for concrete construction. A proper use of admixtures offers certain
beneficial effects to concrete including improved quality, acceleration or retardation of
setting time, enhanced frost and Sulphate resistance, control of strength development,
improved workability and enhanced Finish ability. This approach has resulted in
construction cost reductions and universally accepted to reduce the unexpected problems
which are developing during construction work. Various tests should be done to find how the
admixture will affect the properties of the concrete to be made with the specified job
materials under the anticipated ambient conditions and by the different construction
procedures. Chemical admixtures play a major role in modern concrete materials and
technologies. Chemical admixtures generally improved the above properties of the concrete
as well as they have also assisted in developing new concrete technologies such as, concrete
pumping and self-levelling, underwater concreting and shotcreting.

Keywords: Admixtures, Durability, Concrete, Super plasticizers, Strength

INTRODUCTION

Admixture is defined as a material other than cement, water and aggregate that is used
as an ingredient of concrete and is added to the batch immediately before or during mixing. It
is used to modify properties of concrete according to our required need.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
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The properties commonly modified using admixtures are setting time, workability, air
–entrainment, dispersion etc. The admixture is generally added in relatively small quantity
ranging from 0.005% to 2% by weight of cement. Over use of admixtures have detrimental
effects on the properties of concrete.
Admixtures are natural or manufactured chemicals added to concrete before or after
mixing. They're used to mitigate difficult construction situations or to give fresh or set
concrete certain properties. Admixtures can augment the workability, durability and strength
of concrete, and resolve challenges presented by hot and cold temperatures, early-strength
requirements or low water-to-cement specifications. Some classifications of chemical
admixtures: air-entraining, water-reducing, retarding, accelerating and plasticizers (super
plasticizers) etc.

THE ADMIXTURES ARE USED IN CONCRETE FOR FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

 To increase the strength of concrete

 To accelerate the initial setting time of concrete

 To retard the initial setting time of concrete

 To improve workability of concrete

 To increase durability of concrete

 To reduce heat of hydration

 To make light weight concrete

 To reduce permeability of concrete

 To control the alkali-aggregate expansion

 To increase the resistance to sulphate attack

 To increase the bond between old and new concrete

 To increase the bond between concrete and steel reinforcement

 To reduce segregation and bleeding of concrete

 To produce coloured concrete or mortar

 To control the corrosion of concrete

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

TYPES OF ADMIXTURE

IS: 9103-1999 has covered main five types of admixtures called Chemical Admixtures are
as follows:

1. Accelerating Admixtures:

These admixtures when added to concrete, mortar or grout Increases the rate of hydration
of hydraulic cement, shortens the time of set, and accelerates the hardening or development
of strength of concrete / mortar.

These admixtures function by interaction with C3S (Tri-calcium silicate) component of

the cement thus increasing the reaction between cement and water.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

2. Chemical Composition of Accelerating Admixtures:

Many substances are known to act as accelerators for concrete. They include Alkali
Hydroxides, Silicates, Fluoro-Silicates, Organic Compounds, Calcium Formates, Calcium
Nitrates, Calcium Thio Sulphates, Aluminium Chlorides, Potassium Carbonates, Sodium
Chlorides and Calcium Chlorides. Of these calcium chlorides are most widely used because
of its ready availability, low cost, predictable performance characteristics. Non- chloride
Admixtures are preferred as chloride containing ones are believed to accelerate corrosion of
reinforcement.

Advantages:
 Shortens the setting time of cement and therefore increases the rate of gain of strength.
 Enables earlier release from precast moulds thus speeding Guidelines on use of
Admixtures in Concrete production.
 Reduces segregation and increase density and compressive strength.
 Cures concrete faster and therefore uniform curing in winter and summer can be
achieved.
 Early use of concrete floors by accelerating the setting of concrete.
 Reduces water requirements, bleeding, shrinkage and time required for initial set.

3. Retarding Admixtures:

This type of chemical admixtures decreases the initial rate of reaction between cement
and water and there by retards the setting of concrete. It functions by coating the surface of
C3S (Tri calcium silicate) components, thus, delaying this reaction with the water.

Reaction products are slow to form as such the setting and hardening of concrete are
delayed reducing early compressive strengths. Since the rate of stiffening of concrete can be
too fast in our tropical climatic conditions, sufficient time for the concrete is required for
transportation and placement before setting. In such conditions retarding admixtures can be
very useful. Retardation in setting time up to 8-10 hours is possible by suitable use of
retarders.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

The delay in hardening caused by the retarders can be exploited to obtain an

architectural finish of exposed aggregate: the retarder is applied to the interior surface of the
formwork so that the hardening of the adjacent cement is delayed. This cement can be
brushed off after the formwork has been struck so that an exposed aggregate surface is
obtained.

Chemical Composition of Retarding Admixtures:

The main ingredients of retarders are as follows:

 Lignosulphonic acids and their salts. e.g. Na, Ca or NH4,
 Hydro-carboxylic acids and their salts.
 Carbohydrates including sugar.
 Inorganic salts based on flourates, phosphates, oxides, borax and magnesium salts.

Advantages:
 Improves workability, cohesion and extends setting time, provides protection against
delays and stoppages and facilitates keeping workable concrete for extended period.
 In the large construction, good workability of the concrete throughout the placing period
and prevention of cold joints is ensured by adding retarders in the concrete. Guidelines
on use of Admixtures in Concrete
 Extended setting time minimise risks of long distance delivery in hot weather, improves
pumpability of concrete by extended setting period and improved workability of
concrete.
 Reduces bleeding and segregation where poor sand grading are unavoidable.
 Reduces adverse environmental effects of various nature on concrete and embedded steel
by considerable reduction in permeability.

a) Accelerating admixtures (accelerators):

These admixtures when added to concrete, mortar or grout increases the rate of
hydration of hydraulic cement, shortens the time of set, and accelerates the hardening or
development of strength of concrete / mortar.
These admixtures function by interaction with C3S (Tri-calcium silicate) component
of the cement thus increasing the reaction between cement and water. Cacl2 is the most
extensively used accelerator.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

Use of accelerators gives the following advantages:

 Earlier removal of forms

 Reduction of required period of curing

 Earlier placement of structure in service

 Early finishing of surface

 Quick repairs to existing concrete

b) Retarding admixtures (Retarders):

This type of chemical admixtures decreases the initial rate of reaction between cement
and water and thereby retards the setting of concrete. It functions by coating the surface of
C3S (Tri calcium silicate) components, thus, delaying this reaction with the water.

Reaction products are slow to form as such the setting and hardening of concrete are
delayed reducing early compressive strengths. Since the rate of stiffening of concrete can be
too fast in our tropical climatic conditions, sufficient time for the concrete is required for
transportation and placement before setting. In such conditions retarding admixtures can be
very useful. Retardation in setting time up to 8-10 hours is possible by suitable use of
retarders.

The delay in hardening caused by the retarders can be exploited to obtain an architectural
finish of exposed aggregate: the retarder is applied to the interior surface of the formwork so
that the hardening of the adjacent cement is delayed. This cement can be brushed off after the
formwork has been struck so that an exposed aggregate surface is obtained. Commonly used
retarders are:
 Calcium sulphate (gypsum)
 Starches
 Sugars
 Cellulose products
 Acids or salts of acids

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

c) Plasticizers (Water Reducer) Admixtures:

A material, which either increases workability of freshly mixed concrete without

increasing water cement ratio or maintains workability with a reduced amount of water, is
termed as water reducing admixture.

As their name implies, the function of water reducing admixture is to reduce the water
content of the mix, usually by 5 to 10%, sometimes (in concrete of very high workability)
upto 15%. Thus, the purpose of using a water reducing admixture in a concrete mix is to
allow a reduction in the water cement ratio while retaining the desired workability or,
alternatively, to improve its workability at a given water cement ratio. The actual reduction in
water depends on dose of admixtures, cement content, type of aggregate used, ratio of
cement, fine and coarse aggregate etc. Therefore, the trial mixes containing an actual material
to be used on the job are essential to achieve optimum properties.

Advantages:

i) They increase the workability of the concrete without reducing the compressive strength or
without changing water-cement ratio. This is particularly useful when concrete pores are
restricted either due to congested reinforcement or due to thin sections. Guidelines on use of
Admixtures in Concrete
ii) High strength can be obtained with the same cement content by reducing water cement
ratio.
iii) A saving in the quantity of cement (approx. upto 10%) can be achieved keeping the same
water/ cement ratio and workability.

d) Super-plasticizer Admixtures:

Normal water reducers are well established admixtures called plasticizers in concrete
technology. A normal water reducer is capable of reducing water requirements by 10 to 15%.
Higher water reductions, by incorporating larger amounts of these admixtures, result in
undesirable effects on concrete like bleeding, segregation and hardening. So, a new class of
water reducers, chemically different from the normal water reducer and capable of reducing
water content by about 30% has been developed. The admixtures belonging to this class are
known as super plasticizers.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

Superplasticisers are infact the extended version of plasticisers. At a given water /cement
ratio and water content in the mix, the dispersing action of superplasticizer increases the
workability of concrete, typically by raising the slump from 75mm to 200 mm, the mix
remaining cohesive. The resulting concrete can be placed with little or no compaction and is
not subject to excessive bleeding or segregation. Such concrete is termed as flowing concrete
and is useful for placing in very heavily reinforced sections, in inaccessible areas, in floor or
road slabs, and also where very rapid placing is desired. The principal mode of action of
superplasticizer is their ability to disperse cement particles very efficiently. As they do not
entrain air, they can be used at high dosage rates without affecting strength.

Advantages:

 Cement content can be reduced to a greater extent keeping Guidelines on use of

Admixtures in Concrete the same water/cement ratio. This will lead to economy.
 Water-cement ratio can be reduced significantly keeping same cement content and
workability. This will lead to increase in strength.
 Higher workability at very low water cement ratio like casting concrete with heavy
reinforcement..
 Reduction in permeability
 Where early strength development is required in prestressed concrete or casting of floor,
where early access for finishing equipment is required.

THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF EXCESS USE OF ADMIXTURES IN CONCRETE

 One of the common plasticizer generally used is lignosulphonic acid in the form of
calcium or sodium salt. At higher dosages it may cause retardation in setting time.
 Higher dosages of super-plasticizer affect the shrinkage and creep properties of concrete.
 Higher dosage of plasticizer may cause segregation and premature stiffening under
certain conditions.
 Higher dosage of super- plasticizer may increase rate of loss of workability.
 Perhaps the most commonly used retarder is gypsum. Addition of excess amount of
gypsum may cause undesirable expansion and indefinite delay in setting of concrete.
 Excess use of accelerators cause more heat evolution and there are chances of cracks in
the concrete.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

 In case of air-entrained concrete strength decreases in proportion to the amount of air. It

is observed that 1% of entrained air reduces strength by about 5.5%. The optimum air
content is ranging from 3 to 6 percent.

The other types of admixtures are as follows which is commonly known as Mineral
Admixture:

a) Pozzolana admixtures:

The pozzolanic materials are essentially a siliceous or aluminous materials which itself
possessing cementitious properties, which will in finely divided form and in the presence of
water, react with calcium hydroxide liberated in the hydration process to form compounds
possessing cementitious properties.
The pozzolanic materials used as admixtures are:

Natural pozzolana:
a) Clay
b) Shale
c) Diatomaceous earth
d) Volcanic tuffs
e) Opaline cherts

Artificial pozzolana:

a) Fly ash
b) Surkhi

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
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c) Blast furnace slag

d) Silica fume
e) Rice husk ash
f) Metakaoline

The pozzolanas can be replaced with cement by 10 to 35 %. The substitution produces

cement that is more permeable but more resistant to the action of salt, sulphate, or acid water.
Strength gain is usually slower than normal concrete.

b) Grouting admixtures:

Under different conditions grout mixtures of different qualities are required. Sometimes
grout mixtures will be required to set quickly and sometime will have to be in a fluid form for
a longer period. Various admixtures used for grouting purposes are:

a) Accelerators
b) Retarders
c) Plasticizers
d) Gas forming agents
e) Workability agents

c) Waterproofing admixtures:

These water repellent admixtures block or impede the flow of water through the natural
capillaries in hardened concrete. Used in structures below the water table or in water
retaining structures.

d) Air-detraining admixtures

The air-detraining admixtures are used to:

i. Dissipate excess air or other gases from plastic concrete.
ii. Remove a part of the entrained air from concrete mixture
The following compounds are used as air detraining agents:
i. Tributyl phosphate
ii. Dibutylphthalate
iii. Water soluble alcohols
iv. Silicones

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

e) Bonding admixtures:

Bonding admixtures are usually water emulsions of organic materials including rubber,
polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, acrylics, styrene butadiene copolymers, and other
polymers. They are added to Portland cement increase the bond strength between old and
new concrete.

Flexural strength and resistance to chloride-ion ingress are also improved. They are
added in proportions equivalent to 5% to 20% by mass of the cementing materials; the actual
quantity depending on job conditions and type of admixture used. Some bonding admixtures
may increase the air content of mixtures. Non re-emulsifiable types are resistant to water,
better suited to exterior application, and used in places where moisture is present.

The ultimate result obtained with a bonding admixture will be only as good as the
surface to which the concrete is applied. The surface must be dry, clean, sound, free of dirt,
dust, paint, and grease, and at the proper temperature. Bonding agents should not be confused
with bonding admixtures. Admixtures are an ingredient in the concrete; bonding agents are
applied to existing concrete surfaces immediately before the new concrete is placed. Bonding
agents help “glue” the existing and the new materials together. Bonding agents are often used
in restoration and repair work; they consist of Portland cement or latex modified portland
cement grout or polymers such as epoxy resins.

f) Corrosion inhibiting admixtures

These admixtures work for many years after the concrete has set, increasing the
corrosion resistance of reinforcing steel to reduce the risk of rusting steel causing the concrete
to crack and scale. The commonly used corrosion inhibiting admixtures are sodium benzonite
and sodium nitrate.

g) Gas forming admixtures

Aluminium powder and other gas-forming materials are sometimes added to concrete and
grout in very small quantities to cause a slight expansion of the mixture prior to hardening.
This may be of benefit where the complete grouting of a confined space is essential, such as
under machine bases or in post-tensioning ducts of prestressed concrete. These materials are
also used in larger quantities to produce autoclaved cellular concretes. The amount of
expansion that occurs is dependent upon the amount of gas-forming material used, the

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

temperature of the fresh mixture, the alkali content of the cement, and other variables. Where
the amount of expansion is critical, careful control of mixtures and temperatures must be
exercised. Gas-forming agents will not overcome shrinkage after hardening caused by drying
or carbonation.

h) Colouring admixtures

Natural and synthetic materials are used to colour concrete for aesthetic and safety
reasons. Red concrete is used around buried electrical or gas lines as a warning to anyone
near these facilities. Yellow concrete safety curbs are used in paving applications. Generally,
the amount of pigments used in concrete should not exceed 10% by weight of the cement.
Pigments used in amounts less than 6% generally do not affect concrete properties.

i) Alkali-aggregate expansion inhibiting admixtures

As stated earlier use of pozzolanic admixtures reduces the alkali aggregate reaction.
Aluminium powder and lithium salts may be used to reduce the alkali aggregate reaction.

j) Fungicidal, germicidal, insecticidal admixtures

Bacterial and fungal growth on or in hardened concrete may be partially controlled

through the use of fungicidal, germicidal, and insecticidal admixtures. The most effective
materials are polyhalogenated phenols, dieldrin emulsions, and copper compounds. The
effectiveness of these materials is generally temporary, and in high dosages they may reduce
the compressive strength of concrete.

ADVANTAGES OF ADMIXTURES:

 Increase workability without increasing water content or decrease the water content at
the same workability;
 Retard or accelerate time of initial setting;
 Reduce or prevent shrinkage or create slight expansion;
 Modify the rate or capacity for bleeding;
 Reduce segregation;
 Improve pumpability;

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

 Reduce rate of slump loss;

 Retard or reduce heat evolution during early hardening;
 Accelerate the rate of strength development at early ages;
 Increase strength (compressive, tensile, or flexural);
 Increase durability or resistance to severe conditions of exposure, including application
of deicing salts and other chemicals;
 Decrease permeability of concrete;
 Control expansion caused by the reaction of alkalis with potentially reactive aggregate
constituents;
 Increase bond of concrete to steel reinforcement.

DISADVANTAGES OF ADMIXTURES:

 One of the common plasticizer generally used is lignosulphonic acid in the form of
calcium or sodium salt. At higher dosages it may cause retardation in setting time.
 Higher dosage of super-plasticizer affects the shrinkage and creep properties of concrete.
 Higher dosage of plasticizer may cause segregation and premature stiffening under
certain conditions.
 Higher dosage of super- plasticizer may increase rate of loss of workability.
 Perhaps the most commonly used retarder is gypsum. Addition of excess amount of
gypsum may cause undesirable expansion and indefinite delay in setting of concrete.
 Excess use of accelerators cause more heat evolution and there are chances of cracks in
the concrete.
 In case of air-entrained concrete strength decreases in proportional to the amount of air.
It is observed that 1% of entrained air reduces strength by about 5.5%.
 The use of admixtures reduces alkali aggregate reaction.

CASE STUDY: Canada Water Library, Southwark

Canada Water Library, recently opened by Southwark Council on the edge of the
Canada Water Basin, has a basement constructed using the Sika Watertight Concrete System.
In this project almost 400 m3 of Watertight Concrete is supplied to the project site and this
has a successful record in terms of the supplying the concrete over 50 years.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
National Conference on: “Trends and Challenges of Civil Engineering in Today’s Transforming World”

It uses two powerful Sika admixtures that work together within the concrete mix, Firstly by
reducing the water cement ratio and secondly by blocking the remaining capillary pores. This
admixture produces an extremely effective watertight concrete solution that guarantees the
future integrity of the building basement. The shape of this library is just like an inverted
pyramid as shown in figure.The actual library houses 40,000 books, CDs and films, with
other areas within the building housing a cafe, learning facilities and theatre space. The
building has excellent green credentials, which include a ground source heat pump and grey
water harvesting.
CONCLUSION
The following conclusion comes through the study of the admixtures that the Admixtures
develops concrete additives, bonding, coating, flooring, repair and protection, reinforcing,
roofing, strengthening and waterproofing solutions for the construction industry. So they are
extensively used in worldwide for improving the quality, strength and workability of the
concrete structures.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Authors thankfully acknowledge to Dr. C. L. Patel, Chairman, Charutar Vidya Mandal,
Er.V.M.Patel, Hon. Jt. Secretary, Charutar Vidya Mandal, Mr. Yatinbhai Desai, Jay Maharaj
construction, Dr. F. S. Umrigar, Principal, B.V.M. Engineering College, Dr. A. K. Verma,
Head & Professor, Structural Engineering Department, Dr. B. K. Shah, Associate Professor,
Structural Engineering Department, B.V.M. Engineering College, Vallabh Vidyanagar,
Gujarat, India for their motivations and infrastructural support to carry out this research.

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh
 ISBN: 978-81-929339-0-0
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REFERENCE
[1] R.P.Rethaliya Books on “Concrete Technology”
[2] R.Santhakumaran, Books on “Concrete Technology”
[3] www.construction world.com
[4] www.construction chemicals.com
[5] www.chemical.gov.in
[6] Water reducing concrete admixture” Published in IS: 9103 ASTM C: 494
[7] Waterproofing Concrete and Mortar Admixture Published in IS: 2645 – 1975

29th March, 2014, Civil Engineering Department S.N.P.I.T. & R.C., Umrakh

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