Technical Questions

ACI Committees, Membership, and Staff have answered common questions on a variety of concrete related topics.



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

Other Sources for Answers

Search other resources on the ACI website for answers to technical questions