QCS 2010

Section 5

Part 5

Admixtures

Page 1

5.

ADMIXTURES ............................................................................................... 2

5.1

GENERAL...................................................................................................... 2

5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.1.4

Scope
References
Definitions
Submittals

5.2

USE OF ADMIXTURES ................................................................................. 3

5.2.1
5.2.2

General
Trials

5.3

CEMENTITIOUS ADDITIONS ....................................................................... 3

5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3

Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag

Pulverised Fuel Ash
Silica Fume

5.4

HYDROPHOBIC PORE BLOCKING ADMIXTURES ..................................... 5

5.4.1
5.4.2

General
Use

5.5

NON-ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITING ADMIXTURES.......................... 5

5.5.1

General

5.6

ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITORS.......................................................... 5

5.6.1

General

5.7

SYNTHETIC FIBRE REINFORCEMENT ....................................................... 6

5.7.1
5.7.2
5.7.3
5.7.4
5.7.5
5.7.6
5.7.7
5.7.8

General
Submittals
Quality Assurance
Materials
Concrete Mix
Examination
Concrete Placement, Finishing and Curing
Protection

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QCS 2010

Section 5

Part 5

Admixtures

5.

ADMIXTURES

5.1

GENERAL

5.1.1

Scope

This Part includes materials added to the concrete materials during mixing.

Related Sections and Parts are as follows:

Page 2

This Section
Part 1, General
Part 6, Property Requirements
Part 7, Batching and Mixing
Part 16, Miscellaneous
5.1.2

References

The following standards and other documents are referred to in this Part:
ACI 302 ..................... Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction
ACI 305 ..................... Hot Weather Concreting
ACI 308 ..................... Standard Practice for Curing Concrete
ASTM C311, ............. Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Fly Ash or Natural Pozzolans
for Use in Portland-Cement Concrete
ASTM C494,.............. Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete
ASTM C618............... Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan
for Use in Concrete
ASTM C989............... Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and Mortars
ASTM G61,................ Test Method for Conducting Cyclic Potentiodynamic Polarization
Measurements for Localized Corrosion Susceptibility of Iron, Nickel, or
Cobalt Based Alloys
ASTM G109,.............. Test Method for Determining the Effects of Chemical Admixtures on
the Corrosion of Embedded Steel Reinforcement in Concrete Exposed
to Chloride Environments
BS EN 197-1 ............. Cement, Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for
common cements
BS EN 450................. Fly Ash for concrete
BS EN 480................. Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout. Test methods (Parts: 1, 2,
4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12)
BS EN 934................. Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout (Parts: 2, 6)
BS EN 15167, GGBS for us in concrete, mortar and grout
EN 196, .................... Methods of testing cement
FHWA/RD-83/012 ..... Time-to-Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

5.1.3

Definitions
Admixtures shall mean materials added to the concrete materials during mixing for the
purpose of altering the properties of the concrete mix.

5.1.4

Submittals

In addition to the specified general requirements for approval of materials, approval of

admixtures shall be subject to extensive trials to demonstrate the suitability, adequacy of
dosing arrangements and performance.

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Section 5

Part 5

Admixtures

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The Concrete supplier shall furnish a series of at least ten trial mixes which clearly indicate
that the use of the admixture has consistently exhibited the specified absorption,
permeability and poring values. The trial mix should be verified by an approved independent
laboratory. The Concrete supplier shall also conduct (with the aforementioned) a trial
showing that a control mix without the admixture does not exhibit a greater density than that
incorporating the admixture.

5.2

USE OF ADMIXTURES

5.2.1

General

Admixtures shall mean materials added to the concrete materials during mixing for the
purpose of altering the properties of the mix.

Where approved and or directed by the Engineer, admixtures shall be used as a means of:
(a)
(b)
(c)

enhancing concrete durability

increasing workability of the concrete without increasing the water:cement ratio
controlling and limiting retardation and setting.

Admixtures shall comply with the following ASTM requirements or equivalent EN type:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

water reducing admixture: ASTM C494, Type A

retarding admixtures: ASTM C494, Type B
water reducing, high range ASTM C494, Type F
retarding admixtures: ASTM C494, Type G

The methods of use and the quantities of admixture used shall be in accordance with the
manufacturers instruction and subject to the Engineers approval after evaluation in trial
mixes and shall in no way limit the Contractors obligations under the Contract to produce
concrete with the specified strength, workability and durability.

The effects of accidental overdose of the admixture and measure to be taken if an overdose
occurs shall be provided by the Contractor to the Engineer.

No admixtures containing chlorides shall be used. In particular, the use of acceleration

admixtures containing calcium chloride shall not be used.

The use of the admixtures shall be controlled; i.e., strict quality control to ensure correct
dosages as prescribed by the manufacturer and justified by trial mixes to be used. A
calibrated dispenser or flowmeter shall be used to for the addition of the admixture.

5.2.2

Trials

In addition to the standard requirements for the approval of materials, approval of admixtures
shall be subject to extensive trials to demonstrate the suitability, adequacy of dosing
arrangements and performance, when a proven history of performance can be provided to
the satisfaction of the Engineer.

The concrete supplier shall furnish a series of at least ten trial mixes which clearly indicate
that the use of the admixture has consistently exhibited the specified absorption,
permeability and porosity values. These are to be verified by an approved independent
laboratory. The concrete supplier shall also conduct (with the aforementioned) a trial
showing that a control mix without the admixture does not exhibit a greater density than that
incorporating the admixture.

5.3

CEMENTITIOUS ADDITIONS
The strength activity index and the grade of cementitious materials shall be declared by the
user

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Section 5

Part 5

Admixtures

Page 4

5.3.1

Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag

Ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS) shall comply with the requirements of BS EN
15167 or ASTM C989.

The Contractor shall test each batch of GGBS delivered to site in accordance with the
required standard and provide the Engineer with certificates for the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

moisture content
loss of ignition
specific gravity
fineness
SO3 content
MgO content

The specific surface area, when tested in accordance EN 196, shall not be less than
275 m2/kg.

All GGBS shall be supplied from a single source. Should the Contractor wish to change the
source of supply he shall provide to the Engineer for his approval full test certification
detailing compliance with the requirement of this specification

The mix proportion of cement to BS EN 197-1 with that of GGBS to BS EN 15167 ASTM
C989 shall not be less than 30 % GGBS and not greater than 70 % GGBS by total weight
of cementitious material.

5.3.2

Pulverised Fuel Ash

Pulverised fuel ash (PFA) shall comply with the requirements of BS EN 450, ASTM C311
and ASTM C618.

The Contractor shall provide for the approval of the Engineer test results and certificates in
accordance with relevant standard for each batch of PFA delivered to site for the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

loss of ignition
moisture content
fineness
specific gravity.

The specific surface area shall not be less than 450 m2/kg.

All PFA shall be supplied from a single source. Should the Contractor wish to change the
source of supply he shall provide to the Engineer for his approval full test certification
detailing compliance with the requirement of this specification

The mix proportion of cement to BS EN 197-1 with that of PFA to BS EN 450 ASTM C618
shall not be less than 25 % PFA and not greater than 40 % PFA by total weight of
cementitious material.

5.3.3

Silica Fume

Densified silica fume shall not exceed 8 % by total weight of cementitious material.

Silica Fume shall comply with ASTM C1240 Standard specification for silica fume in
cementitious mixture

The Contractor shall notify the Engineer of the intended form of microsilica. No other form of
microsilica, other than slurried shall be used without the written permission of the Engineer.

The Contractor shall provide for the approval of the Engineer the following test results and
certificates for each batch of microsilica delivered to site:

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(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Section 5

Part 5

Admixtures

Page 5

loss of ignition
moisture content
fineness
specific gravity.

All microsilica shall be supplied from a single source. Should the Contractor wish to change
the source of supply he shall provide to the Engineer for his approval full test certification
detailing compliance with the requirement of this specification

5.4

HYDROPHOBIC PORE BLOCKING ADMIXTURES

5.4.1

General

Hydrophobic pore blocking admixtures shall only be used with the permission of the
Engineer.

5.4.2

Use

The admixture is to be added as per Manufacture supplier data sheet at the time of mixing.
An approved lab verification shall be made prior to use,

The manufacturers representative is to be present for all additions of the hydrophobic pore
blocking compound to ensure the correct dosage rate.

5.5

NON-ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITING ADMIXTURES

5.5.1

General

Non-organic corrosion inhibiting admixtures shall only be used when the advantages of
using such admixtures overweight the disadvantages. This has to be decided by the
engineer depending on the project conditions.

5.6

ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITORS

5.6.1

General

Where the concrete is deemed to be in a critical area the Contractor may propose the test of
an organic corrosion inhibiting admixture. The admixture shall be based on an aqueous
emulsion of amines and esters and shall be capable of inhibiting chloride penetration
through the capillary pores in addition to forming a protective corrosion resistant film around
the steel reinforcement.

The admixture shall have no effect on either the slump or temperature development of the
concrete in its plastic state.

In its hardened state the admixture shall not affect strength development or concrete-steel
bond strengths in any way.

The corrosion inhibitor shall be capable of effecting protection to the steel where concrete
has cracked and allows access to the elements responsible for corrosion.

The corrosion inhibitor is to be added at a rate of five litres per cubic metre at the time of
mixing.

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Section 5

Part 5

Admixtures

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5.7

SYNTHETIC FIBRE REINFORCEMENT

5.7.1

General

This section specifies synthetic fibre reinforcement used as an additive in concrete. Fibres
shall serve as secondary reinforcement for concrete, and to protect concrete from stresses
which cause cracking initially after placement.

5.7.2

Submittals

The Contractor shall submit the manufacturers product data, installation instructions, use
limitations and recommendations for use.

The Contractor shall submit independent test data substantiating plastic crack control
performance.

5.7.3

Quality Assurance

Fibres shall be manufactured by a firm with a minimum of five years experience in the
production of fibres. Manufacturers proposed for use shall submit evidence of their ability to
meet all the requirements specified, and include a list of projects of similar design and
complexity.

A preinstallation meeting shall be held two weeks prior to the commencement of field
operations to establish procedures to maintain optimum working conditions and to coordinate this work with related and adjacent work. The agenda for the meeting shall include
concrete and fibre handling, placing, finishing, curing, and joint layout.

A representative of the distributor shall be present for project startup during initial concrete
placement. The Engineer may waive this requirement for the distributors representative if
the Contractor provides sufficient evidence that the producer and finisher have adequate
experience with fibres.

5.7.4

Materials

The fibre concrete additive shall comply with the following requirements:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

fibres shall be 12 mm long, manufactured from polypropylene and have a maximum

diameter of 18 microns (3 denier)
the fibres shall have a surface area of at least 225 m per kg
fibres shall be straight to ensure rapid dispersion during mixing (i.e, they shall not be
crimped)
fibres shall be supplied in cellulose bags which disperse during mixing.

5.7.5

Concrete Mix

The application rate shall be 0.6 kg. per cubic metre of concrete unless recommended
otherwise by the manufacturer. For uniform distribution mixing shall take place in the truck at
full mixing speed for a minimum of 5 min after fibre addition. Where possible the fibres shall
be added at the batch plant to ensure proper dispersion.

5.7.6

Examination

Conditions that are found to be detrimental to the correct execution of the work shall be
notified to the Engineer.

Work shall not proceed until unsatisfactory conditions are corrected to the approval of the
Engineer.

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Section 5

Part 5

Admixtures

Page 7

5.7.7

Concrete Placement, Finishing and Curing

Concrete fibres shall comply with the manufacturers recommendations for addition and
mixing requirements.

Concrete finishing and curing shall comply with ACI 302, ACI 308, and ACI 305.

Finished concrete surfaces shall be smooth with no exposed fibres.

5.7.8

Protection

Completed work shall be protected from damage and construction operations throughout
finishing and curing operations.
END OF PART

QCS 2010