Question: Discuss how the utilization of superplasticisers and mineral admixtures could improve the properties of concrete.

Explain how the improvement in concrete properties contributes to superior durability performance of concrete structures especially those exposed to aggressive

environment exposure. Generally, admixtures are divided into chemical admixtures and mineral admixtures. Chemical admixtures are added to concrete in very small amounts mainly for the entrainment of air, reduction of water or cement content, plasticization of fresh concrete mixtures, or control of setting time. One of the common chemical admixtures is superplasticiser or waterreducers. The used of superplasticisers normally could reduce the amount of water by about 20-30%. Superplasticizers are linear polymers containing sulfonic acid groups attached to the polymer backbone at regular intervals (Verbeck 1968). The sulfonic acid groups are responsible for neutralizing the surface charges on the cement particles and causing dispersion, thus releasing the water tied up in the cement particle agglomerations and thereafter reducing the viscosity of the paste and concrete (Mindess and Young 1981). The main purpose of using superplasticizers is to produce flowing concrete with very high slump in the to be used in heavily reinforced structures where adequate consolidation by vibration cannot be readily achieved. The capability of superplasticizers to reduce water requirements 2030% without affecting the workability leads to production of high-strength concrete. With the reduction of water content, the porosity of the concrete mix could be reduced greatly resulting in a low permeability concrete. Lower permeability concrete structures will have a higher resistance to deterioration due to chemical action such as sulphate attack, chloride attack, acid attack, corrosion of reinforcement, etc. Whereas high strength concrete has a better resistance to mechanical action such as abrasion, impact, erosion and fatigue failure. Thus, concrete durability can be improved by addition of superplaticisers.

Other than chemical admixtures, mineral admixtures is the finely grounded particles which posses pozzolanic properties used as an addictive to cement. Mineral admixtures such as fly ash, silica fume, and slags are usually added to concrete in larger amounts to enhance the workability of fresh concrete; to improve resistance of concrete to thermal cracking, alkaliaggregate expansion, and sulfate attack; and to enable a reduction in cement content. Replacement of cement by fly ash results in a reduction in the temperature rise in fresh Concrete. This is particular importance in mass concrete where cooling, following a large temperature rise, can lead to cracking. Reduction of cement content by substitution of admixtures reduce the heat evolved during cement hydration, this will reduce the risk of occurrence of thermal cracking. At early ages fly ash exhibits very little cementing value, at later ages cementing activity becomes apparent and a considerable Contribution to strength may results. The used of blast furnace slag reduced the water content. The unit water content required to obtain the same slump decreases with the increase in the slag content. Heat of hydration of concrete containing slag powder decreases with the increase in the slag power content. Concrete containing slag as a mineral admixtures generally offers better chemical resistance due to improved watertightness since the concrete texture becomes dense. Silica fume is a highly pozzolanic materials. The addition of silica fume in concrete mix results in a finer pore size distribution. Fine particles of silica fume can acts as filler improves the aggregate-cement paste interfere. The filler effect and the pore size reduction enhance the impermeability of concrete structures. This will increase the resistance of concrete to chemical attack such as sulphate attack, carbonation, chloride attack, etc. The use of mineral admixtures generally retards the setting time of concrete especially for fly ash and slags, the higher the replacement level, the slower the rate of pozzolanic reaction. This will greatly reduce the heat

evolution in the early age of concrete placement as well as contributes to the long-term strength development. Moreover, the finer particles size of admixtures prevents segregation and bleeding. Since permeability governs the transport and permeation

characteristics of fluid in concrete, reduction in permeability enhance the concrete durability. Refine pore size, reduced permeability and reduced heat development decreases the ability of aggressive agents such as sulphate, carbon dioxide, chloride and water penetrates into the concrete structures contributes to superior durability performance of concrete structures in aggressive environment such as marine and underground condition. The utilization of by-product mineral admixtures is the best alternative for nowadays since it not only makes the concrete accomplish the proper performance but also reduce the concrete cost and environmental problems.