Characterization of Concrete Strength, Durability and Workability Impacted by a Super - Plasticizing Additive

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the workability, rate of flow, and compressive strength properties of natural concrete and super-plasticizer concrete over time, taking into account their water-cement ratio. Laboratory tests were conducted on various concrete mixes concerning 0.50, 0.55, and 0.60 water–cement ratios. Different dosages by weight between 0% through 1% of Master Glenium 118 superplasticizers were applied to determine the effects of superplasticizer admixture on the compressive strength and workability of concrete thereafter, the influence of superplasticizer admixture on concrete quality by lowering the amount of mixing water was obtained. Results showed that the addition of the new superplasticizer admixtures to the fresh concrete improved its workability. Hence, the flow rate and slump of natural concrete improve as the water content in the concrete and superplasticizer dosages increase. For hardened concrete’s compressive strength test, the result also showed that adding the super-plasticizer admixture into the concrete mix appropriately decreases the weight of the concrete and reduces the strength required in the crushing of the concrete after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of curing. It is observed that the compressive strength of the natural concrete increase as the curing period increases from 7 to 28 days, and even increase more for the super-plasticizer concrete. More so, the weight of the natural concrete decreases as the curing period increases from 7 to 28 days, and even decreases more for the super-plasticizer concrete thereby producing lightweight concrete which is more durable with a considerably higher economic benefit. The superplasticizer applied in this study significantly maintained the required workability without resorting to excessive water, thus addressing concerns of past studies.