Concrete Additives
How To Choose The Correct Concrete Additives State Of Art Construction
Concrete Additives | Image Resource : sulochanasurveblog.weebly.com
Concrete is definitely the most important construction material which is used in modern construction processes. It has a number of properties which makes it a worthy and a popular choice by many of the engineers. However, if one were to use concrete alone then it would not be quite effective in increasing the longevity of the buildings. But, when concrete additives are added to the cement mixture, then the properties of concrete get enhanced ten-fold which gives the best result.
Cement additives are made out of silica fumes which help in increasing the durability and strength of the concrete material. Silica fumes are derived from the electric arc furnaces of silicon or elemental alloys. They are a by product and are also known as micro silica. These comprises of silicon oxide that tend to be quite smooth and spherical in nature. Not only is silicon oxide ultra fine in nature but it is a by product left as a result of the process of ferrosilicon alloy.
As a pozzolanic material, concrete additives are of great use in enhancing the overall performance of concrete. The pozzolanic attribute of the concrete additives allow for a more homogenous and uniform distribution along with an additional increase in the volume of the products. Cement additives help in decreasing the quantity of the pores that are present in the cement mixture. The particle and composition of the micro silica is a great determining factor as to how effective the micro silica would be.
Cement additives are made out of silica fumes which help in increasing the durability and strength of the concrete material. Silica fumes are derived from the electric arc furnaces of silicon or elemental alloys. They are a by product and are also known as micro silica. These comprises of silicon oxide that tend to be quite smooth and spherical in nature. Not only is silicon oxide ultra fine in nature but it is a by product left as a result of the process of ferrosilicon alloy.
As a pozzolanic material, concrete additives are of great use in enhancing the overall performance of concrete. The pozzolanic attribute of the concrete additives allow for a more homogenous and uniform distribution along with an additional increase in the volume of the products. Cement additives help in decreasing the quantity of the pores that are present in the cement mixture. The particle and composition of the micro silica is a great determining factor as to how effective the micro silica would be.
Understanding The Affect Of Concrete Additives In Modern Construction Projects
There are different mechanisms which help in improving the usage of micro silica.
The process of hydration takes place after water is added to the mixture. But with the presence of the concrete additives or the micro silica thereby causes a reaction with calcium hydroxide which results in an even binding of the CSH or calcium silicate hydrate. The level of calcium hydroxide gets reduced greatly after the reaction is over. The combination of carbon dioxide with the concrete results in a soluble salt which leeches through the structures and buildings thereby degrading its longevity and durability. This is the reason why additives are use since concrete alone is not impervious to chemical attacks or any sulphate for that matter.
Micro silica which is present in the concrete additives helps in stopping the bleeding of the concrete. Micro filling therefore helps in greatly reducing the permeability.