The influence of universal additive BEST on the concrete properties

Abstract

In order to improve the properties of concrete, various chemical additives are introduced into the concrete mix which can significantly reduce the level of costs per unit of production, improve the quality and effectiveness of concrete and reinforced concrete structures, increase their service life as well as buildings and structures as a whole. This paper presents the results of the regulation of the setting speed, strength and frost resistance of concrete modified with the universal additive BEST LLC “Makra”. Portland cement CEM I 42.5 B of Mordovcement OJSC was used as a binder; the aggregates were enriched quartz sand from the Khromtsovskoye deposit with a size of 2.4 and granite rubble of the Orsk deposit of 5–20 mm with water absorption of 0.2% .The effect of the universal BEST additive on the construction and technical properties of concrete was studied by determining the binder system setting speed and the hardened composition strength characteristics. Data analysis showed that the introduction of a regulator in the amount of 0.3% into the concrete mixture contributes to the long-term preservation of its mobility (up to 4 hours) due to the water-proof modifier adsorption layer formation on the cement grains surface. With an increase in the content (0.5–1.0%) of BEST in the system the concrete setting speed acceleration was established due to the additive deflorulating effect. We have identified an increase in the strength characteristics of the modified (by 41%) concrete compared with no additional. Besides, the introduction of the universal additive BEST allows you to adjust the concrete frost resistance ~2 times possibly due to accelerated formation of calcium hydroxides gels.