ROLE OF ADMIXTURES

IN

READYMIX CONCRETE
Chemical Admixtures

ASTM C 494

EN 934 – 2

IS 9103:2003
Chemical Admixtures

Type Description

A Water Reducing admixture (WRA)

B Retarding Admixture
C Accelerating Admixture
D Water Reducing & Retarding Admixture
E Water Reducing & Accelerating Admixture
F High Range Water Reducing Admixture (HRWRA)
G High Range Water Reducing & Retarding Admix
Main effect of plasticizing admixtures

Slump flow [cm]

with 1
Plasticizer

2
without
Plasticizer

Water/Cement Ratio

1
Higher workability at 2
Increase of strength parameters through
constant w/c ratio reduction of w/c ratio at constant slump flow
Types of concrete admixtures

 Lignosulphonates – LS

 Beta-Naphthalenesulphonate - Polycondensate – BNS

 Melamine-Sulphonate-Poly-condensate – MFS

 Poly Acrylates – PAC

 Polycarboxylate Ethers - PCE

Traditional Plasticizers/Superplasticizers
Mode of Action

Electrostatic
Repulsion

BNS molecules
 Innovation History of Water Reducer Technology
Volume of Admixtures

AE high water-reducing agent

Super plasticizer [Glenium]
Conventional AE water-
reducing agent [Pozzolith]

High water-reducing
agent [Rheobuild]

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Year
PCE Molecule

 complex and flexible

molecules,
 comprising of main chain
 Side chains
 functional groups.
PCE Based - GLENIUM Molecules

Electrostatic
and Steric
Repulsion

GLENIUM molecules
Glenium Concrete

High grades

Low Grades

SCC

Precast
Glenium Concrete for Higher Grades

Why higher grades? (M45 – M 60)

Early destripping

Advantages in column size reduction

Longer spans and thinner decks

PT slabs – 30 MPa in 3 days
General Practice for Higher Grade

Use of Higher Cement contents

Use of very low water /cement ratios

Use of Expensive Mineral Admixtures

Phenomenal increase in costs

Concrete very sensitive to changes in moisture content

Extra cement content due to retention effect
 Critical Areas

Use of higher cement content – Thermal Shrinkage

Use of silica fume – Risk of Plastic shrinkage

Use of low w/c ratio – Higher dosage of SNF admixture
– (retardation effect-plastic shrinkage)

Higher cost of concrete!

Hydration Reactions

Glenium Concrete
How does Glenium Work?

Improved Dispersion
due to electrostatic and
GLENIUMTM molecules
steric repulsion
….low w/cm
 Glenium Concrete
GLENIUM helps in

Excellent dispersion of binders  Better Hydration

Water reduction upto 40%  Reduction in Cement content
 Lower risk to Thermal Shrinkage

High early strengths  Faster de-stripping possible

Reduce/Eliminate SF  Economical concrete

Reasonably lower w/c ratios  Tolerant to changes in moisture
content
Typical Glenium Mix – M 60
Mix with SF Mix with Glenium
Cement 430 425
Flyash 80 150
Silica Fume 35 0
Binder 565 575
Total Aggregates 1782 1722
Water 158 161
Traditional Admix 1.8% xxx
Glenium Range XXX 1.2%
W/B Ratio 0.28 0.28
1 Day 19.02 18.30
3 Days 39.46 37.40
7 Days 58.47 58.2
28 Days 72.34 71.11
Depth of water penetration Nil Nil
Economical Glenium Concrete

Rs./Kg Mix with SF Mix With Glenium

Cement 4.25 1828 1806

Flyash 1.0 80 150

Silica fume 30 1050 0
Total Aggregates 0.40 713 689
Water 0.08 11 13
Trad. Admixture 50 509 0
Glenium Range 160 0 1120

Material Cost/Cu.M 4191 3778

Cost Saving ~ Rs. 400/M3

Glenium Concrete for Lower Grades

Requirements in Lower Grade concrete

Early age strengths

Reduction in cement

Addition of Fly ash

Lower dosage of admixtures

Extended retention – 2 to 3 hrs

Avoid retempering of Concrete

Tolerance to water (10 – 15 Litres)
 Glenium Concrete
GLENIUM helps in

Excellent dispersion of binders  Better Hydration

 Reduction in Cement content

Water reduction  Early Strength gain

 Addition of Flyash

lower w/c ratios  Economical concrete

 Tolerant to changes in water content
Typical Glenium Mix – M 30

Traditional M 30 Glenium Concrete

Cement 280 220
Flyash 60 120
Binder 340 340
Total Aggregates 1842 1820
Water 162 152
Traditional Admix 1.0% xxx
Glenium Range Admixture XXX 0.6%
W/B Ratio 0.46 0.42
1 Day 8.30 7.8
3 Days 16 .23 18.40
7 Days 26.42 28.92
28 Days 35.32 38.40
Economical Glenium Concrete

Rs./Kg Traditional Mix With Glenium

Cement 4.25 1190 935

Flyash 1.0 60 120

Total Aggregates 0.40 737 728
Water 0.08 13 12
Trad. Admixture 28 95 0
Glenium Range 130 0 265

Material Cost/Cu.M 2095 2060

Thank You!!