Admixture Applications in Large Concrete Pours

Some of the concrete works on the Dadin Kowa Dam project in Bauchi State, Nigeria, from 1982 to 1987 are discussed. Admixtures were used during the concreting, and the relative advantages of using such admixtures are examined in terms of strength and other properties. The data collected show that strength development of concrete with admixtures is a function of the quantity of admixture used per weight of cement. For all classes of admixture used, the strength gained at the end of the seventh day is high and in agreement with the manufacturers' standards. The effect of concreting in a hot environment without the use of any set retarder will increase the cement content by about 19%.