Admixtures

I suggest you consider getting in touch with a trucking association. I would also contact potential customers to determine need. Another source of information would be the local quarries you want to haul from.

I would start with the National Precast Concrete Producers Association (NPCA) in Indianapolis, IN. I would also talk with your cement supplier and contact you local admixture supplier for technical help. A local testing lab can also help you with mix designs and mix verifications. It is also important to find out what specifications you have to meet to satisfy your potential customers requirements.

There are cementitious repair products for patch repair and protective coatings for the steel rebar available in the market.

Sika’s “SikaTop 123 Plus” is a two component, polymer modified, cementitious, non sag repair mortar with a penetrating corrosion inhibitor in it.

Sika’s “Sika Armatec 110 Epocem” is a 3 component, epoxy modified cementitious product which works as an aniti-corrosion coating and a bonding agent.

You can try to get that at hardware store or a home improvement store. If not, may be ask them where you could find them. You can try to locate a supplier using internet, use “Google”. You can even contact a local precast concrete producer. You can also contact the National Precast Concrete Producers Association (NPCA) in Indianapolis, IN for more information on a precast producer in your area.

The best option for you would be to get a pre bagged concrete mix from a hardware or home improvement center and try to add the least amount of water possible and still be able to place the concrete to make the concrete durable. The strength and durability of the concrete depends mainly on the water to cement ratio, so the least amount of water the better it is for you. So, just add water sufficient for you to mix and place the concrete well. Try to get a concrete mix, which claims to give the highest strength.

If you want to make your own concrete then follow the recommendations of ACI 211 (American Concrete Institute manual of concrete practice) to arrive at the mix proportions of cement, sand, stone, water for the concrete.

The addition of Type I Portland cement or the addition of supplementary cementitious materials like Fly ash, Silica fume and slag in appropriate amounts will also help to improve the durability of the structure. I would recommend you to use a high range water reducing admixture (Type A or Type F as per ASTM C 494, Type F would be better) in the concrete mix, which will enable you to produce a workable concrete mix with less water.