Water Reducer

Water Reducer
Water Reducer has been used
primarily in hot weather concrete
placing,
pumping,
and
tremie.
Careful
concrete
placement
is
required, as the initial setting time of
concrete will take place an hour
earlier.

Water Reducer
Water Reducer affects mainly the
fresh properties of concrete by
reducing the amount of water used
by 5% to 10% while maintaining a
certain level of consistency.

How Water Reducer Works?

When cement comes in contact with
water, dissimilar electrical charges at
the surface of the cement particles
attract one another, which results in
flocculation or grouping of the
particles. A good portion of the water
is absorbed in this process, thereby
leading to a cohesive mix and
reduced slump.

Advantages of Using Water Reducer

Reduces the water content by 5-10%

Decreases the concreteporosity
Increases theconcrete strengthby up to 25%
Increases the workability (assuming the
amount of free water remains constant)
Reduces the waterpermeability
Reduces thediffusivityof aggressive agents in
the concrete and so improves the durability of
concrete
Gives a better finish to surfaces

Superplasticizer

Superplasticizer
Superplasticizers, also known ashigh
range water reducers, are chemical
admixtures
used
where
welldispersed particle suspension is
required. These polymers are used as
dispersantsto
avoid
particle
segregation(gravel, coarse and fine
sands), and to improve the flow
characteristics of suspensions such
as inconcrete applications.

Capabilities
The capability of superplasticizers to
reduce water requirements 12-25%
without affecting the workability
leads to production of high-strength
concrete and lower permeability.

Dosage
The ability of superplasticizers to
increase the slump of concrete
depends on such factors as the type,
dosage, and time of addition of
superplasticizer; which; and the
nature or amount of cement. It has
been found that for most types of
cement, superplasticizer improves
the workability of concrete

Effects of Superplasticizers
The main purpose of using
superplasticizers is to produce
flowing concrete with very high
slump in the range of 7-9 inches
(175-225 mm) to be used in heavily
reinforced structures and in
placements where adequate
consolidation by vibration cannot be
readily achieved. The other major
application is the production of high-

Disadvantages of
Superplasticizers
For optimal performance and to avoid slump loss,
superplasticizers should be added at a job site,
immediately
before
delivery
of
concrete.
Unfortunately, this involves the added expense of
special equipment, a reduced amount of control
over the uniform addition of superplasticizers, and
it often results in the addition of extra water to the
mix. Adding the superplasticizers at the concrete
and cement manufacturing plant reduces these
risks and the wear on the truck mixer. Doing so
can, however, result in slump loss prior to reaching
the customer's job site.

Water Reducer and

Superplasticizer

Lontok, Bryan
Matthew V.