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What are water-reducing admixtures?

Q. What are water-reducing admixtures?

 

A. Water-reducing admixtures are used to increase the strength and workability of concrete and to reduce cost. They consist of certain organic compounds or mixtures of organic and inorganic compounds to reduce the water requirement of the mixture for a given slump. Reduction in water demand may result in a reduction in the w/cm for a given slump and cement content, an increased slump for the same w/cm and cement content, or a lower cement content (cost saving) at a constant w/cm and slump (ACI 212.3R).

 

References: SP-1(02); ACI CT-23; E4-12; ACI 212.3R-16; SP-288; ASTM C494; ASTM C1017

Topics in Concrete: Admixture; Concrete Fundamentals; Materials