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I. Definition of Admixtures
Admixtures are materials besides water, cement, and aggregates, added to the
concrete or mortar, before or during mixing.
II. The function of admixtures are :
a. Increase the workability of concrete.
b. To set a factor cement ratio.
c. Prevent the segregation and bleeding.
d. To set a setting time.
e. Increase the compressive strength of concrete.
f. Increase the concretes resistance from chemical substance.
Segregation : Separation of fine and coarse aggregate.
Bleeding
: Separation of water from fresh mortar.
III. Classification of Admixture
1. Chemical Admixtures
2. Mineral Admixtures (Additive)
The construction industry classify liquid materials as admixtures and solid materials
as additives.
1. Chemical Admixtures
Chemical admixture is a material that added to the concrete or mortar, to
modify the properties of mortar in the fresh/ hardened state. Chemical
admixture can be added when mixing or foundry.
According to ASTM C.494, admixtures are divides into 7 :
A. Type A: Water Reducing Admixture
B. Type B: Retarding Admixture
C. Type C: Accelerating Admixture
D. Type D: Water Reducing and Retarding Admixture
E. Type E: Water Reducing and Accelerating Admixture
F. Type F: Water Reducing High Range Admixture
G. Type G: Water Reducing High Range Retarding Admixture
A. Type A : Water Reducing Admixtures
The function of Water Reducing Admixtures :
a. To achieve a higher strength by decreasing the water content at the same
workability.
b. To achieve the same workability by decreasing the cement content so as to
reduce the heat of hydration in mass concrete.
The materials are kinds of Water Reducing Admixtures:
a. lignosulfonic acid derivatives
b. hydroxycarboxylic acids or hydroxylated polymers
B. Type B : Retarding Admixtures
The function of Retarding Admixtures :
a. Retard hydration of cement.
b. To retard or extend the setting time of cement paste in concrete.
c. These are helpful for concrete that has to be transported to long distance,
and helpful in placing the concrete at high temperatures.
The materials are kinds of Retarding Admixtures :
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Fly Ash
Fly ash is an artificial pozzolan which has excellent cementitious properties and also
consists of finely divided particles.
The particles of fly ash are mostly spherical and the particle size is very small which
ranges between 1 to 100 m. The fineness is also good enough for it to reduce the heat of
hydration and also in replacing cement particles.
Activity index is the ratio of compressive strength of slag- Portland cement to that of ordinary
Portland cement.
3
Silica Fume
Silica fume is formed by the reduction of quartz at high temperatures to form SiO vapors
which oxidize and condense to form spherical particles. These particles are very finely divided
and the fineness has a very high value. It is an artificial pozzolan admixture. The particle size is
less than 1 m and the fineness is about 2000 sq.m/kg. The pozzolanic reaction of silica fume is
higher than the other pozzolans because of its fineness.