Document Archives

Admixtures for Concrete

• ID:

  1132

• ESCSI:

  4550.002

• Author:

  ACI Committee 212

• Publication Name:

  Journal

• Type of Publication:

  Article

• Publisher:

  American Concrete Institute

• Dated:

  1990

• Issue/Volume:

  December

• Other ID:

• Page(s):

  1481-1523

• Reference List:

  Y

• Abstract:

  An admixture is defined by the ASTM as: “A material other than water, aggregates, and portland cement (including air-entraining portland cement and portland blast-furnace slag cement) that is used as an ingredient of concrete and is added to the batch immediately before or during its mixing.”An admixture is used to modify the properties of the concrete in such a way as to make it more suitable for the work at hand. Use of a suitable admixture can impart certain desirable characteristics which cannot be secured by other methods, or not as economically. In other instances, the desired objectives may be achieved most economically by changes in composition or proportions of the concrete mixture rather than by the use of an admixture. Admixtures are no substitute for good concreting practices. An admixture should be employed only after appropriate evaluation of its effects, if necessary by use with the particular concrete and under conditions of use intended. Admixtures should be required to conform with applicable ASTM or other relevant specifications. In using any admixture, careful attention should be given to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the product.
  Included in the ESCSI library is also the 1963 edition.