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Concrete is the backbone of construction. Yet, alone it is not as effective as it is with the addition of additives. For major projects you need to add some additives to concrete. These are the most essential ingredients for use in big construction projects since they impart strength to concrete. In fact, without additives big towers, bridges etc are not possible to construct. These additives can mend various properties of concrete to make them suitable for big projects.
Types of Concrete Additives
Additives are available in different types depending on their use and their capacity to mend various properties. Concrete additives can be divided into two types –mineral and chemical.
Mineral concrete additives
These additives can bring down the porosity of concrete and strengthen them against corrosive elements like chlorides which can corrode concrete structures in salty environment such as by the sea. These structures such as buildings in the sea port area need protection from corrosion due to the presence of chlorides in the environment.
However, they don’t just protect concrete from corrosion; they also strengthen concrete and enhance its load bearing capacity, compressive strength etc. In essence, they can modify some of the very basic properties of concrete. This includes setting time, hardening etc.
Silica fumes and fly ash are some of the most widely used silica based concrete additives. Volcanic ash is also used as concrete additive and it is the only nature source of such additives. However, it is not so widely available as others.
One needs to take great care while using these additives since different proportions can produce different results. Projects that require high compressive strength need defined proportion. However, in projects where bringing down porosity of concrete is the objective, they need to be added in a different proportion.
Chemical additives
Chemical additives are specifically manufactured for use with concrete. These additives too can modify various characteristics of concrete. These include water required for setting, time required for setting, shrinkage and flow of concrete, slump etc. Unlike mineral additives for concrete they can be divided into various purposes like set retarding, air entrainment, water reducing etc.
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Types Of Additives By Purpose
Set retarding additives
These additives can delay setting of concrete by reducing the temperature.
Air entrainment additives
They can enhance the freeze-thaw durability of concrete to improve its resistance to frost and also to improve workability.
Water reducing additives
These chemical additives for concrete are used to bring desired slump in concrete.
Accelerating additives
These additives can reduce concrete setting time and enhance concrete strength. Calcium chloride is one such chemical accelerating additive.
Shrinkage reducing
Long term and early shrinkage of concrete may need to be checked in some projects. The shrinkage reducing additives can perform this task well.
Super plasticizers
These chemical can enhance concrete flow and slump for use in highly reinforced structures or super structures.
Corrosion inhibiting
These are special additives for use in preventing corrosion of steel structures within concrete over a long period of time. This is very useful in almost all types of project.
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