Concrete Additives
The Must-Use Concrete Additives For Better Construction
Concrete admixtures are used to improve the quality of the concrete and also to accelerate the setting time. These admixtures are generally added during or before the mixing of the concrete. Many a times, recently most construction work adds more than one kind of concrete additives to their concrete. This is mostly done in order to improve the productivity while reducing the overall cost. The cost of these admixtures will however vary depending upon how much quantity you are using and of what quality.
Different Kinds of Concrete Additives
- Set-Retarding: These are mainly used in order to delay the chemical reaction that happens when the concrete starts to set. These are mostly used in reducing the effect of high amount of temperature which could fasten the hardening of concrete. These are mostly used in the construction of pavements.
- Air-Entrapment: These are mostly used in increasing the durability of the concrete. This kind of additive reduces bleeding in concrete. These concrete additives also provide a high amount of resistance in the wet and dry cycles. The air bubbles acts as a cushion against the stress that can be caused by the freezing of water.
- Water-Reducing Additive: These are mainly used in order to achieve a certain amount of concrete strength without the use of a large amount of cement.
- Accelerating Additive: These are mainly used for reducing the setting time of concrete and also to increase the strength of concrete. Calcium Chloride is the most popular concrete additives that are used as an accelerator.
- Shrinkage Reducing Additive: These are used where the shrinkage cracking can lead to the reduction of durability. These are mostly added during the initial mixing.
- Corrosion Inhibiting: These are used to slow the corrosion. These can significantly reduce the maintenance cost of reinforced concrete buildings and structures.