QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 1

5. ADMIXTURES................................................................................................2

5.1 GENERAL ......................................................................................................2

5.1.1 Scope 2
5.1.2 References 2
5.1.3 Definitions 2
5.1.4 Submittals 2
5.2 USE OF ADMIXTURES..................................................................................3
5.2.1 General 3
5.2.2 Trials 3
5.3 CEMENTITIOUS ADDITIONS........................................................................3
5.3.1 Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag 3
5.3.2 Pulverised Fuel Ash 4
5.3.3 Microsilica 4
5.4 HYDROPHOBIC PORE BLOCKING ADMIXTURES......................................5
5.4.1 General 5
5.4.2 Use 5
5.5 NON-ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITING ADMIXTURES ..........................5
5.5.1 General 5
5.5.2 Submittals 5
5.5.3 Quality Assurance 6
5.5.4 Materials 6
5.5.5 Concrete Mix 6
5.6 ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITORS ..........................................................7
5.6.1 General 7
5.7 SYNTHETIC FIBRE REINFORCEMENT .......................................................7
5.7.1 General 7
5.7.2 Submittals 7
5.7.3 Quality Assurance 7
5.7.4 Materials 7
5.7.5 Concrete Mix 8
5.7.6 Examination 8
5.7.7 Concrete Placement, Finishing and Curing 8
5.7.8 Protection 8
QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 2

5. ADMIXTURES
5.1 GENERAL

5.1.1 Scope

1 This Part includes materials added to the concrete materials during mixing.

2 Related Sections and Parts are as follows:

This Section
Part 1, General
Part 6, Property Requirements
Part 7, Batching and Mixing
Part 16, Miscellaneous
5.1.2 References

1 The following standards and other documents are referred to in this Part:
BS 12, Portland cement
BS 3892, Specification for pulverised fuel ash for use with Portland cement
BS 5075, Concrete admixtures
BS 6699, Specification for ground granulated blastfurnace slag for use with Portland
cement.
EN 196, Methods of testing cement

ASTM C494, Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete

ASTM G61, Test Method for Conducting Cyclic Potentiodynamic Polarization
Measurements for Localized Corrosion Susceptibility of Iron, Nickel, or Cobalt Based
Alloys
ASTM G109, Test Method for Determining the Effects of Chemical Admixtures on the
Corrosion of Embedded Steel Reinforcement in Concrete Exposed to
Chloride Environments

ACI 302, Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction

ACI 305, Hot Weather Concreting
ACI 308, Standard Practice for Curing Concrete

FHWA/RD-83/012, Time-to-Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

5.1.3 Definitions
Admixtures shall mean materials added to the concrete materials during mixing for the
purpose of altering the properties of the concrete mix.
5.1.4 Submittals

1 In addition to the specified general requirements for approval of materials, approval of

admixtures shall be subject to extensive trials to demonstrate the suitability, adequacy of
dosing arrangements and performance.

2 The Concrete supplier shall furnish a series of at least ten trial mixes which clearly indicate
that the use of the admixture has consistently exhibited the specified absorption,
permeability and poring values. The trial mix should be verified by an approved independent
laboratory. The Concrete supplier shall also conduct (with the aforementioned) a trial
showing that a control mix without the admixture does not exhibit a greater density than that
incorporating the admixture.
QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 3

5.2 USE OF ADMIXTURES

5.2.1 General

1 Admixtures shall mean materials added to the concrete materials during mixing for the
purpose of altering the properties of the mix.

2 Where approved and or directed by the Engineer, admixtures shall be used as a means of:
(a) enhancing concrete durability
(b) increasing workability of the concrete without increasing the water:cement ratio
(c) controlling and limiting retardation and setting.
3 Admixtures shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) water reducing admixture : ASTM C494, Type A
(b) retarding admixtures : ASTM C494, Type B
(c) water reducing, high range ASTM C494, Type F
(d) retarding admixtures: ASTM C494, Type G
4 The methods of use and the quantities of admixture used shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instruction and subject to the Engineer’s approval after evaluation in trial
mixes and shall in no way limit the Contractor’s obligations under the Contract to produce
concrete with the specified strength, workability and durability.

5 The effects of accidental overdose of the admixture and measure to be taken if an overdose
occurs shall be provided by the Contractor to the Engineer.

6 No admixtures containing chlorides shall be used. In particular, the use of acceleration

admixtures containing calcium chloride shall not be used.

7 The use of the admixtures shall be controlled; i.e., strict quality control to ensure correct
dosages as prescribed by the manufacturer and justified by trial mixes to be used. A
calibrated dispenser or flowmeter shall be used to for the addition of the admixture.

5.2.2 Trials

1 In addition to the standard requirements for the approval of materials, approval of

admixtures shall be subject to extensive trials to demonstrate the suitability, adequacy of
dosing arrangements and performance, when a proven history of performance can be
provided to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

2 The concrete supplier shall furnish a series of at least ten trial mixes which clearly indicate
that the use of the admixture has consistently exhibited the specified absorption,
permeability and porosity values. These are to be verified by an approved independent
laboratory. The concrete supplier shall also conduct (with the aforementioned) a trial
showing that a control mix without the admixture does not exhibit a greater density than that
incorporating the admixture.

5.3 CEMENTITIOUS ADDITIONS

5.3.1 Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag

1 Ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS) shall comply with the requirements of
BS 6699.

2 The Contractor shall test each batch of GGBS delivered to site in accordance with the
requirements of BS 6699 and provide the Engineer with certificates for the following:
(a) moisture content
(b) loss of ignition
QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 4

(c) specific gravity

(d) fineness
(e) SO3 content
(f) MgO content
3 The specific surface area, when tested in accordance EN 196, shall not be less than
275 m 2/kg.

4 All GGBS shall be supplied from a single source. Should the Contractor wish to change the
source of supply he shall provide to the Engineer for his approval full test certification
detailing compliance with the requirement of this specification

5 The mix proportion of cement to BS 12 with that of GGBS to BS 6699 shall not be less than
30 % GGBS and not greater than 70 % GGBS by total weight of cementitious material.

5.3.2 Pulverised Fuel Ash

1 Pulverised fuel ash (PFA) shall comply with the requirements of BS 3892 Part 1.

2 The Contractor shall provide for the approval of the Engineer test results and certificates in
accordance with BS 3892 for each batch of PFA delivered to site for the following:
(a) loss of ignition
(b) moisture content
(c) fineness
(d) specific gravity.
3 The specific surface area, when tested in accordance EN 196, shall not be less than
450 m 2/kg.

4 All PFA shall be supplied from a single source. Should the Contractor wish to change the
source of supply he shall provide to the Engineer for his approval full test certification
detailing compliance with the requirement of this specification

5 The mix proportion of cement to BS 12 with that of PFA to BS 3892 shall not be less than
25 % PFA and not greater than 35 % PFA by total weight of cementitious material.

5.3.3 Microsilica

1 Microsilica or condensed silica fume shall not exceed 10 % by total weight of cementitious
material.

2 The Contractor shall notify the Engineer of the intended form of microsilica. No other form
of microsilica, other than slurried shall be used without the written permission of the
Engineer.

3 The Contractor shall provide for the approval of the Engineer the following test results and
certificates for each batch of microsilica delivered to site:
(a) loss of ignition
(b) moisture content
(c) fineness
(d) specific gravity.
4 All microsilica shall be supplied from a single source. Should the Contractor wish to change
the source of supply he shall provide to the Engineer for his approval full test certification
detailing compliance with the requirement of this specification
QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 5

5.4 HYDROPHOBIC PORE BLOCKING ADMIXTURES

5.4.1 General

1 Hydrophobic pore blocking admixtures shall only be used with the permission of the
Engineer.

5.4.2 Use

1 The admixture is to be added at a rate of 30 l/m3 at the time of mixing.

2 The manufacturer’s representative is to be present for all additions of the hydrophobic pore
blocking compound to ensure the correct dosage rate of 30 l/m3 is used.

5.5 NON-ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITING ADMIXTURES

5.5.1 General

1 Calcium nitrite neutral set corrosion inhibiting admixtures may be specified when additional
protection against the possibility of reinforcement corrosion is required.

5.5.2 Submittals

1 Manufacturer’s product data, installation instructions and recommendations for each

material shall be submitted by the Contractor for approval of the Engineer.

2 The Contractor shall submit the following data and certification for the corrosion inhibitor:
(a) British Board of Agreement Certificate declaring that the corrosion inhibitor is fit for
it’s intended use to provide increased protection against reinforcement corrosion
(b) test results conforming to ASTM G109 modified with a minimum 25 mm of concrete
cover over the reinforcement and a maximum water:cement ratio of 0.40. After
five years of testing, the corrosion inhibitor-protected test specimens must have a
corrosion current in microamperes of less than 10 % of the control.
3 Test results shall meet or exceed the Physical Requirements (Table 1) of ASTM C494 for
any type of admixture. Criteria to meet from Table 1 include:
(a) time of setting: between 3 1/2 h earlier to 3 1/2 h later than control
(b) compressive strength: minimum 90 % of the control at any time period
(c) flexural strength: minimum 90 % of the control at any time period
(d) length change, shrinkage: maximum 135 % of the control
(e) relative durability factor: minimum 80.
4 Testing conforming to FHWA/RD-83/012. After one year of testing, the corrosion current
measured in microamperes for the corrosion inhibitor-protected specimen must be
approximately 10 % of the control when a minimum of 3.0 kg/m³ and maximum of 6.0 kg/m³
of chloride ion is admixed into the concrete.

5 Test results of ASTM G109. Run the test for three complete cycles after the control
specimens have failed according to Section 8 Period of Testing. The average corrosion
current of the corrosion inhibitor protected specimens must be less than two microamperes.

6 Test results of ASTM G61. The test medium shall be modified to contain a calcium
hydroxide solution with a pH similar to concrete of 12.5, and sodium chloride content
equivalent to approximately 3.0 kg/m³ of concrete protection potentials (Ep) must be more
positive than 280 mV versus SCE.

7 The concrete corrosion inhibitor supplier must have a minimum of ten years experience in
the manufacture of such products.
QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 6

8 The manufacturer or distributor must provide methods which determine the calcium nitrite
presence for both plastic and hardened concrete. Additionally the manufacturer or distributor
must use the above accepted methods to test a minimum of 10 m 3 on the initial placement
of the project.

5.5.3 Quality Assurance

1 Manufacturer: Concrete admixtures shall be manufactured by a firm with a minimum of ten

years experience in the production of corrosion inhibitors for concrete. Manufacturers
proposed for use shall submit evidence of their ability to meet all the requirements
specified, and include a list of projects of similar design and complexity.

2 Materials: The manufacturer or distributor shall provide product certification, as required in

section 5.5.2 as to the products quality and source of manufacture.

3 Preconstruction Meeting: A preconstruction meeting of the Engineer, Contractor, concrete

producer and calcium nitrite manufacturer or distributor shall take place prior to project start-
up. Topics of discussion shall include product dispensing, concrete batching, placing,
finishing, and curing.

4 The Manufacturer’s Representative: A representative of the manufacturer/distributor shall

be present for project startup during initial concrete placement. Additional presence on the
project to verify the proper use of calcium nitrite (including but not limited to dosage rates) is
at the discretion of the manufacturer or distributor. The Engineer may waive the requirement
for the manufacturer’s or distributor’s representative if the Contractor provides sufficient
evidence that the producer and finisher have adequate experience with these admixtures.

5 Trial Mix: Provide a minimum 3 m 3 trial mix containing the proposed concrete design mix
placed at the Site in a location acceptable to the Engineer. The Engineer may waive this
requirement for a trial mix if the Contractor provides sufficient evidence that the producer
and finisher have adequate experience with low water:cement ratio mixes containing
calcium nitrite corrosion inhibitor.

5.5.4 Materials

1 Corrosion Inhibitor Admixture: Provide calcium nitrite neutral set concrete admixture
complying with the following requirements:
(a) calcium nitrite by weight of solution: 30 % plus or minus 2 %
(b) drums must be sealed at the manufacturing plant and correctly labelled including
health and safety data.
5.5.5 Concrete Mix

1 Batching Requirements:. The calcium nitrite placement time shall be the standard ACI time.

2 Water-to-Cementitious Ratio: 0.40 maximum. Minimum cementitious content as follows

shall be provided to provide workable concrete and assure adherence to required
water:cementitious ratio. The water content of calcium nitrite, 0.85 litres of water per litre of
calcium nitrite, shall be allowed for in the water:cement ratio.

3 Concrete Cover to Reinforcing Steel: Minimum of 50 mm in non-marine structures, and a

minimum of 65 mm for structures in a marine environment.
QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 7

5.6 ORGANIC CORROSION INHIBITORS

5.6.1 General

1 Where the concrete is deemed to be in a critical area the Contractor may propose the test of
an organic corrosion inhibiting admixture. The admixture shall be based on an aqueous
emulsion of amines and esters and shall be capable of inhibiting chloride penetration
through the capillary pores in addition to forming a protective corrosion resistant film around
the steel reinforcement.

2 The admixture shall have no effect on either the slump or temperature development of the
concrete in its plastic state.

3 In its hardened state the admixture shall not affect strength development or concrete-steel
bond strengths in any way.

4 The corrosion inhibitor shall be capable of effecting protection to the steel where concrete
has cracked and allows access to the elements responsible for corrosion.

5 The corrosion inhibitor is to be added at a rate of five litres per cubic metre at the time of
mixing.

5.7 SYNTHETIC FIBRE REINFORCEMENT

5.7.1 General

1 This section specifies synthetic fibre reinforcement used as an additive in concrete. Fibres
shall serve as secondary reinforcement for concrete, and to protect concrete from stresses
which cause cracking initially after placement.

5.7.2 Submittals

1 The Contractor shall submit the manufacturer’s product data, installation instructions, use
limitations and recommendations for use.

2 The Contractor shall submit independent test data substantiating plastic crack control
performance.

5.7.3 Quality Assurance

1 Fibres shall be manufactured by a firm with a minimum of five years experience in the
production of fibres. Manufacturers proposed for use shall submit evidence of their ability to
meet all the requirements specified, and include a list of projects of similar design and
complexity.

2 A preinstallation meeting shall be held two weeks prior to the commencement of field
operations to establish procedures to maintain optimum working conditions and to co-
ordinate this work with related and adjacent work. The agenda for the meeting shall include
concrete and fibre handling, placing, finishing, curing, and joint layout.

3 A representative of the distributor shall be present for project startup during initial concrete
placement. The Engineer may waive this requirement for the distributor’s representative if
the Contractor provides sufficient evidence that the producer and finisher have adequate
experience with fibres.

5.7.4 Materials

1 The fibre concrete additive shall comply with the following requirements:
QCS Section 5 Part 5 Admixtures Page 8

(a) fibres shall be 12 mm long, manufactured from polypropylene and have a maximum
diameter of 18 microns (3 denier)
(b) the fibres shall have a surface area of at least 225 m² per kg
(c) fibres shall be straight to ensure rapid dispersion during mixing (i.e, they shall not be
crimped)
(d) fibres shall be supplied in cellulose bags which disperse during mixing.
5.7.5 Concrete Mix

1 The application rate shall be 0.6 kg. per cubic metre of concrete unless recommended
otherwise by the manufacturer. For uniform distribution mixing shall take place in the truck
at full mixing speed for a minimum of 5 min after fibre addition. Where possible the fibres
shall be added at the batch plant to ensure proper dispersion.

5.7.6 Examination

1 Condition that are found to be detrimental to the correct execution of the work shall be
notified to the Engineer.

2 Work shall not proceed until unsatisfactory conditions are corrected to the approval of the
Engineer.

5.7.7 Concrete Placement, Finishing and Curing

1 Concrete fibres shall comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations for addition and
mixing requirements.

2 Concrete finishing and curing shall comply with ACI 302, ACI 308, and ACI 305.

3 Finished concrete surfaces shall be smooth with no exposed fibres.

5.7.8 Protection

1 Completed work shall be protected from damage and construction operations throughout
finishing and curing operations.

END OF PART