ADMIXTURES

An ‘admixture’ is defined as the material added during

the mixing process of concrete in a quantity not
exceeding 5% by mass of the cement content of the
concrete to modify the properties of the mix in the
fresh and / or hardened state. Both chemical and
mineral admixtures are widely used. “Silica fume” and
“fly ash” are the most widely used mineral admixtures.
Admixture is the FIFTH ingredient of a concrete mix.
They conform to ASTM C 494 and to some parts
IS: 9103-1999
 CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES

The purpose of using chemical admixtures is to modify certain properties

of concrete.
In the fresh state:
To increase workability
To reduce water content up to 20 – 25 %
To accelerate or retard the setting time
To reduce or prevent settlement / to create slight expansion
To modify the rate and / or capacity for bleeding
To reduce segregation & increase cohesiveness
To improve pump – ability
To reduce slump loss / modify slump retention time
Also to entrain air in concrete for specific purposes
 CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES…

And in the hardened state:

1.To retard or reduce heat produced during early

hardening of cement

2.To accelerate strength development at early ages.

3.To increase physical strengths

4.To increase durability by decrease in permeability

5.To control expansion due to alkali-aggregate reaction

6.To counter ‘freeze & thaw’ phenomenon

 CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES…

TYPES:
 Retarders

 Accelerators

 Air-entraining agents

 Plasticisers / water-reducing agents

 Superplasticisers / High-range water reducers

 CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES…

 Expanding additives ( also classified under

grout additives)

 Integral waterproofing compounds

 Combinations of the above are very
effective, which conform to ASTM C 494,
but not necessarily have the equivalents in
IS: 9103 - 1999
Cement Particles

Entrapped water

Cement Particles

The electrostatic
repulsion

Released water
Cement & Water

Cement & Water with Super

Plasticiser
 RETARDERS
These are admixtures, which delay the
setting time of concrete.

The reaction between cement and a retarder

is chemical in nature.

These retarders are absorbed on C3S phase of

cement forming a film around cement and
preventing or reducing its reaction with
water. This film breaks with time.
 RETARDERS…

Retarders are useful when concreting in hot weather,

when normal setting time is shortened by the higher
temperature, and in preventing the formulation of
cold joints between successive lifts in concreting.

Generally, with a retarder, a delay in hardening also

occurs.
 ACCELERATORS
These are admixtures, which accelerate the
hardening or development of early strength in
concrete.

The admixture need not have any specified effect

on setting time. However, in practice, the setting
time is reduced.
 ACCELERATORS…

They also react with cement chemically by

catalysing the hydration by reducing the alkalinity.

These are used for cold weather concreting.

Chloride free accelerating admixtures allow:

Earlier de-shuttering

Earlier handling of Pre-cast concrete

INTEGRAL WATERPROOFING AGENTS

Well-designed, made, cast and compacted concrete

generally achieves good impermeability.
If the concrete is also adequately cured it may be
regarded as watertight since passage of moisture and
water through the concrete is less likely, due to
discontinuity of capillaries and pores.
However, in practice concrete structures often allow the
passage of water, not only through joints and
discontinuities, but also through the mass of concrete
itself.
 INTEGRAL WATERPROOFING AGENTS…

Integral waterproofing admixtures help to cut

capillaries in the fresh state of concrete, thereby
providing permanent impermeability to water
seepage.

Even when the concrete has aged or has been

subjected to weathering & abrasion, the effect

continues to exist.
 INTEGRAL WATERPROOFING AGENTS…

For ordinary concrete that has been only treated with

a coating, can abrade due to wear & tear, its ability to
waterproof, will be defeated. This is where an integral
waterproofing admixture gives a permanent value
addition to concrete.
Integral waterproofing admixtures must be liquids, as
they will disperse into the wet concrete very
effectively.
Powders are known to be ineffective by virtue of their
form
 PLASTICISERS - WATER REDUCING
ADMIXTURES

If concrete is being for a particular workability

(slump value), the addition of a water reducing
admixture can give these advantages:
Higher compressive strength with less water
addition, but good workability
Compressive strength in concrete can be increased,
without any additional cement.
Reduce cement content, but achieve the target
strength with desired workability.
 SUPER PLASTICISERS

Superplasticisers are also called High-Range

Water Reducers (HRWR) which enable to reduce
water significantly up to 25 %.
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…

Super plasticisers are based on 5 types of chemical

compounds:
 Sulphonated Melamine Formaldehyde Condensates
(SMF)
 Sulphonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde
Condensates (SNF)
 Modified Ligno-Sulphonates (MLS)
 Esters
 Acrylic bases ( most modern )
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…
SNF & SMF based ones are commonly
used. They are also blended with
ligno-sulphontes for certain
performance requirements, such as,
longer slump retention, economy of
the plasticiser itself, etc.
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…

Super plasticisers act by dispersive action (fig. 1), which

is attributed to
Decrease in surface tension of water
Equi- directional charging of cement particles Producing
a lubricating film at the particle surface ( ball-bearing
action, that produces the effect of high workabilit
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…

Cement particles, when mixed with

water – a polar liquid, form clusters,
which are called flocs. These flocs
entrap water in them thereby reducing
the water available for workability.
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…
Superplasticisers react by an ionic
reaction. They contain negatively charged
ions. When a superplasticiser is added to
fresh concrete, it adsorbs onto the cement
particles, thus giving them a negative
charge. The negative charge on them
makes the cement particles repel, thus
de-flocculating the system, releasing the
water held in the flocs.
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…

It is believed that the adsorbed layer of

the superplasticiser makes a `sheath’
of water to become associated with
each particle, preventing other particles
from approaching closely and also
reducing the surface attraction,
normally prevalent between the cement
particles.
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…

Thus, the water that is released from the

flocs makes the concrete more workable.
In addition, the sheath of water around the
cement particles reduces the friction
between them and the aggregates, and
adds to the workability (Fig.2)
 SUPER PLASTICISERS…

Superplasticisers are available in both

powder and liquid forms.
Superplasticisers in liquid form are
preferred to powders as dispensing is
easier and more uniform.
 CODES OF PRACTICE
There are a few international codes on chemical
admixtures for concrete. The most popular ones are
BS: 5075 and ASTM C494 which cover all the
admixtures. Among the Indian codes, IS: 2645-1975
is the specification for integral waterproofing
compounds and IS: 9103-1999 covers accelerators,
retarders, air-entraining agents and plasticisers.
 CLASSIFICATION AS PER IS-9103

 WATER REDUCING ADMIXTURE

 RETARDING ADMIXTURE

 ACCELERATING ADMIXTURE

 AIR ENTRAINING ADMIXTURE

 SUPER PLASTICISER ADMIXTURE (As per new

revision)
 CLASSIFICATION OF ADMIXTURES

Admixtures are broadly classified in various TYPES as

per ASTM C 494 standards depending upon their
performance

TYPE A WATER REDUCING ADMIXTURE

TYPE B RETARDING ADMIXTURE ( Normal retention )

TYPE C ACCELERATING ADMIXTURE

TYPE D WATER REDUCING CUM RETARDING
ADMIXTURE
CLASSIFICATION OF ADMIXTURES…

As per ASTM C 494 standards ......

TYPE E WATER REDUCING CUM ACCELERATING

ADMIXTURE
TYPE F HIGH RANGE WATER REDUCING
ADMIXTURE

TYPE G HIGH RANGE WATER REDUCING CUM

WORKABILITY RETAINING ADMIXTURE

 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES

While using different cements, with different admixtures,

it is observed often that the resultant behavior is erratic.
Cement & Admixture manufacturers blame each for this.
But when these cements & admixtures are used
differently, the results obtained are different & proper.
This is called the problem of ‘compatibility’.
 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES…

It must be noted that in such cases, neither the

cement nor the admixture is bad, only they are
not compatible. This is an internationally
acknowledged fact. Some cements are not
compatible with certain admixtures. Such
problems must be dealt with a lot of patience & a
full understanding of both these materials.
 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES…

Cement paste is viscous. Viscosity is the reverse of

plasticity / slump. We can decide the slump depending
on the instruments available to measure the viscosity of
cement paste. Basically, concrete plasticisers are
mixtures of several dispersing agents like, ligno-
sulphonates, naphthalene sulphonates & melamine
formaldehydes, in addition to durability-enhancers like,
anti-foaming agents / insecticides / weedicides, etc.
 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES…
It is a well-known fact that plasticisers bring
about remarkable reduction in relative viscosity.
Since plasticity of concrete is the inverse of
viscosity, compatibility studies can be
undertaken using ROTON VISCOMETER, or with
a MARSH CONE that tests for flow of cement
paste when mixed with an admixture.
 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES…

With a VISCOMETER, values on a graph can be

plotted. The X-axis will have the TIME & Y-axis,
the VISCOSITY. The admixture manufacturer can
study the graphs plotted with different
formulations using the same cement. He can
withdraw that element in the formulation that is
causing the incompatibility.
 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES…

But this is always not possible, as the

particular element may be the one that
delivers the desired slump / retention
of slump. In the worst case, where the
site engineer does not want to change
the cement, the admixture
manufacturer may have to withdraw
from the site.
 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES…

If the slump retention is the most important

parameter for the particular mix design &
end-use, the brand of cement will have to
be changed & re-tested for compatibility
with the admixture.
 INCOMPATIBILITY OF ADMIXTURES…

Common Causes as understood by

Technologists
1.C3A content in cement above 5%
2.Fineness of cement – too high
3.During grinding of Cement
Hemi-hydrate condition of Gypsum ( ½ CaSO4
instead of 2CaSO4)
Non - permitted grinding aids used in the plant
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES

PFA (Pulverised Fly Ash)

An excellent additive or mineral admixture to cement &
concrete that can impart high durability.
It offers
Reduction in cost
Improves cohesiveness & reduces bleeding
Reduces w/c ratio, reduces permeability
Reduces sulphate attack
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…

Caution
Maximum replacement in cement, by weight –
35%

Slower rate of strength gain, specially at low

temperatures

Requires particular attention to curing, at early

stages of the concrete life.

Is known to entrain air sometimes

 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…

Condensed Silica Fume

Ultra fine solid particles of Silicon di-oxide,
which are by-products during the manufacture of
silicon / ferro-silicon process. During the
process, the silicon di-oxide vapor mixes with
oxygen & condenses to form micro silica or
silica fume.
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…
Advantages :

-reduced permeability & increased durability ( high

performance concrete )*

-increased strength at all ages

-increase in abrasion resistance of concrete

-high resistance to ‘freeze-thaw’ phenomenon

 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…

High performance concrete must not be

confused with high strength concrete, that can
withstand the attack of Chloride, sulphate
attacks & the aggression of carbonation in
atmosphere
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…
Disadvantages

High cost

Placing & finishing problems due to its sticky

nature

Needs excellent curing from the early stages of

casting
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…
Ground & Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
Cement ( GGBFS )

Slag is a by-product / waste in the form of

impurities, from the iron & steel industry. But
this material has excellent pozzolanic properties.
Slag is ground to a very fine state and added to
the cement in the blending silos, to get GGBFS.
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…
Advantages :
Reduces the cost of concrete
Can be replaced by weight in cement by even 50-
80 %
Reduces heat of hydration
Offers more impermeability to concrete
Reduces alkali-silica reaction
 MINERAL ADMIXTURES…

Disadvantages:

Slower rate of initial strength gain in concrete,

more so with lower temperatures

Increases tendency to bleed

Longer curing requirement

Main effect of plasticizing admixtures

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 Chemical Ad mixtures

 Lignosulphonates - LS
 Beta-Naphthalenesulphonate-
Polycondensate - BNS
 Melamine-Sulphonate-Poly-
condensate - MFS
 Polycarboxylates - PC
Lignosulphonates - LS
 First generation concrete admixture
 Extracted from the cellulose production process
(pulp and paper industry)
 Lignin: trees (wood) natural binding agents
 Water reduction: max. 10%

Limitations:
 Left-obré low-molecular sugar leads to retardation at
higher dosages.
Naphthalenesulphonates - BNS
 Second generation concrete admixture
 Extracted from the pit-coal tar refinery process
 Water reduction: max. 25%

Limitations:
 Hydrophobic molecular structure tends to foam
generation.
Polycarboxylates - PCE
 Third generation concrete admixture
 Based on tailor-made synthetic co-polymers
 Water reduction: up to 40%

Limitations:

 Specially designed molecules provide high steric

repulsion forces.

W O
Chemical O W
structure (simplified): W O

O W

W O

O W
W = Water
 Development in Admixture:

Concrete
performance

div. types of VEA’s

Mega- Polycarboxylates
plasticizer Polyacrylates

Super- Naphthalenesulphonates
plasticizer Melaminesulphonates
Plasticizer Lignosulphonates

1950 1970 1980 1990 2000

Plastic Rheoplastic Self compacting
concrete concrete concrete
Benefits:

1. Increase of flow-ability / slump

2. Increase of slump retention / workability
3. Lowering of water/cement values
 From traditional concrete to SCC

consolidated not consolidated not consolidated not

consolidated consolidated consolidated

plasticized superplasticized Self Compacting

concrete concrete Concrete
Working of admixtures:

Based on dispersion
effect
 electro static adsorption
on the cement surface
 negative charge of the
cement granules that
carry the admixture chain

Dispersing through
electro-static repulsion.
Working of admixtures:

Based on dispersion
effect
 with the hydration process
advancing the adsorpte
admixture molecules
become covered by the
hydrate phases (C-S-H
phases)

Dispersing effect
starts to collapse.
Working of New- generation Admixtures

Dispersion effect
+ Steric effect

 complex and flexible

molecules, comprising of
functional groups with
different side chain lengths.
Working of New- generation Admixtures

Dispersion effect
+ Steric effect

 molecules wrap around the

cement granule increasing
the negative charges
 long side chains overgrow
the hydrate phase of the
cement granule
Mode of action - new generation admixtures

Dispersion effect
+ Steric effect
 the steric hinderance of the
side chains provides an
excellent dispersion effect
over time.

This new generation of

polycarboxylate based
admixtures offer a greatly
improved workability and
slump retention required for
Self Compacting Concrete.
W/C ratio - compressive strength
90

Compressive strength N/mm 2

80
70
60
50
40
d d
30
20
10
0
0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70
W/C Ratio

1d 3d 28 d
Recent Trends in Admixtures Science

 Stronger water reducers for improved durability.

 Faster hydration accelerators for rapid construction.

 Longer workability retention for reliable placing.

 Rheology control of concrete for easy form filling.

Challenges for the Admixtures Science

 Extremely difficult to aim at all targets simultaneously

 Strong water reduction leads to very close spacing
between cement particles and to a very rapid loss of
workability
 Long workabillity retention requires some extra
mixing water

 A quantum leap progress in admixture science is

to control workability retention and water/cement
reduction at the same time:
TOTAL PERFORMANCE CONTROL
Advanced Admixture Science

 Nano-technology has brought new light into the

science of admixtures.
 Chemicals can be engineered bringing together
functional blocks aimed to targeted performances.
 Polymers are built for strong or weak adsorption on
cement, for dispersion effectiveness, for hydration
control.
 Degussa has developed thorough investigation of
nano-behaviour a technology that allows to control
water demand and workability retention of concrete.
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&
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