Testing for cement-admixture incompatibility

grantor: University of TorontoAlthough chemical admixtures are not an essential component in the production of concrete they do prove to be invaluable ingredients when producing a high quality concrete. Chemical admixtures are incorporated into concrete to yield both economic and physical benefits. However, it is important that an understanding of their compatibility with certain cements, or with other admixtures, be established before they are used in practical applications. The aim of this project is to determine the compatibility of commercially available water reducers, superplasticizers, and air entraining agents. The compatibility of admixtures is determined by the loss of workability of cement pastes and concretes with respect to time. This project utilises small scale laboratory tests, including Kantro's Miniature Slump test and the Foam Index test as proposed by V. H. Dodson.M.A.Sc