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Are additives really essential in some engineering parts and components? Today, let’s break down and explain this matter thoroughly.
Not all concrete components must be mixed with water reducing agents, like polycarboxylate superplasticizer.
This type of component has low requirements for workability, with a slump controlled at 30- 50 mm, and dry hard concrete can also meet construction needs. Without the addition of admixtures, the cement dosage should be appropriately increased, and with sufficient vibration, the strength should fully meet the standard. Using a pump to pour the cushion layer is itself an ineffective waste of additives.
Tank trucks can directly dump and unload materials without the need for pump trucks, and do not require high slump requirements. High-quality fly ash comes with a ball-bearing lubrication effect, and a large amount of fly ash can improve the performance of the mixture. It can optimize workability without adding water-reducing agents, save cement, and stabilize strength.
Attention: Use the high-dosage fly ash scheme with caution in low-temperature environments, as it may prolong the setting time and cause delays in demoulding.
The slump should be controlled within 100mm, and manual vibration can be used for normal construction. The space for the use of additives is limited. After the removal of additives, the cost reduction effect is very significant.
⚠️ Core principle: Concrete without additives is only suitable for areas without high structural performance requirements. The main components, pumped concrete, and additives must be used.
If you are preparing to mix zero or low admixture ratios, you cannot simply delete the water-reducing agent. You must complete the three major supporting conditions:
Grade I fly ash contains spherical glass microspheres, which can reduce internal friction of the slurry; Mineral powder enhances the later compactness of concrete. High-quality fly ash with a large dosage can improve the flowability of the mixture.
The premise is that the quality of the powder is stable, and the indicators of loss on ignition and water demand ratio are qualified; otherwise, the effect will deteriorate in reverse.
After removing the admixture, the water usage should not be increased arbitrarily, as adding water will directly reduce the strength. It is necessary to increase the cement dosage and stabilize the water-cement ratio. The specific dosage must be determined through laboratory testing.
Concrete without admixtures has poor workability, low slump, and insufficient vibration can easily produce honeycomb and pockmarks; At the same time, early water loss is faster, and moisturizing and maintenance work cannot be simplified.
The main structure, pumped concrete, and components with durability requirements such as impermeability and frost resistance are strictly prohibited from removing additives, which is the bottom line of quality and compliance.
The zero admixture ratio must be tested in advance in the laboratory, and the strength, workability, and setting time tests must be completed. Only after passing the test can it be put into production.
Conduct a technical briefing with the construction unit in advance: This batch of concrete cannot be pumped and has a low slump. It must be thoroughly vibrated on site. Insufficient disclosure makes it difficult to define the responsibility for pipe blockage in case of misuse of pumping.
If the pumping ratio continues to be applied to areas such as cushion, floor base, and backfill, it will result in ineffective consumption of additives. Designing and proportioning according to individual components can eliminate unnecessary consumption and naturally increase the company’s profits.
Remember the core logic: saving additives does not mean reducing project quality, but using additives where they are truly needed.
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