Comparison of and Admixtures on Reaction, Setting, and Strength Evolutions in Plain and Blended Cementing Formulations
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 10
Abstract
Due to the role of ions in inducing the corrosion of steel rebar in reinforced concrete, it is of interest to use chloride-free accelerators in concrete construction. (CN) is a free admixture, which accelerates set and is thought to inhibit steel corrosion. This study carefully compares the influences of both and (CC) additions on reaction and property evolutions across a range of cementing materials including ordinary portland cements (OPCs) and blended OPCs, i.e., those containing Class F fly ash, slag, or fine limestone. The results indicate that CN acts as a set accelerator, though in relation to its dosage a slight drop in early age (i.e., 1 day) strength is noted. However, this effect is transient, with similar strengths being recorded across all dosage levels by 28 days. While CC is noted to be a superior (i.e., setting and hardening) accelerator, both additives show similar performances by 28 days. The results from a phase boundary nucleation and growth (BNG) model indicate that differences in admixture performance are a function of the differing abilities of these admixtures (and specifically, their anions) to accelerate chemical reactions. Based on observed behaviors, recommendations are made for dosing both admixtures as a function of the binder chemistry. While the benefits of these additives vary as a function of the OPC chemistry, the results indicate that CN, on account of its free composition, is a very promising accelerator for use in concrete construction.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the full financial support for this research provided by Yara Industrial Nitrates, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the National Science Foundation (CMMI: 1066583). The authors would like to acknowledge the kind provision of materials by Lehigh-Hanson, BASF Construction Chemicals, OMYA A.G., and U.S. Concrete. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the accuracy of the data sets presented. This research was conducted in the Laboratory for the Chemistry of Construction Materials () and Molecular Instrumentation Center (MIC) at UCLA. As such, the authors acknowledge the support of these laboratories in making this research possible. The authors would also like to acknowledge Dr. Gwenn Le Saout for provision of the mineralogical compositions of the OPCs.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 10 • October 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 19, 2014
Accepted: Nov 7, 2014
Published online: Dec 22, 2014
Discussion open until: May 22, 2015
Published in print: Oct 1, 2015
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