Accelerators effect on concrete regarding processability, pumpability and strength development

The following thesis is a comparison study which was performed in cooperation with Sika Sverige AB. The project was to examine concrete’s behaviour while being subjected to different accelerators which is used to speed up the hardening process in young concrete. Sika provided the materials and the instructions for the tests that were made. The tests used where almost like the tests being performed at Sika’s laboratories but with some adjustments to the testing equipment. According to the results of the tests a clear difference between the different accelerators were found. The conclusion that the efficiency of the different accelerators were affected on several variables such as cement type, hardening age and hardening temperature were drawn. Because of the corona outbreak (2020) the tests could not be performed in Sikas laboratories. The tests were therefore carried out at a temporary laboratory without any direct supervision and some professional equipment could not be obtained which resulted in replacements with creative solutions. These changes affected the individual test results with high certainty but should not interfere with the conclusions on account that all test samples were subjected to the same circumstances