HOME CURRENT ISSUE BUYERS GUIDE SUBSCRIBE 2006 ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT THE STAFF


FREE PRODUCT INFO


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

CONTENT CATEGORIES
Ready Mixed
Pipe and Precast
Masonry
Prestressed
Architectural Precast
Cast Stone

Certification
Legislative
Market Forecast
Regulatory

Cementitious Materials
Information Technology
Mix Technology


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
Subscribe to Concrete Currents


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

RESOURCES
Contact the Staff
Marketplace
2006 Advertising Information


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

RELATED LINKS
Cement Americas
Rock Products
Industry Associations
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •







Q/A Archives

July 2008

M T W T F S S
« Jul    
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  

Related Experts


Sign-up for RSS

Sign-Up for RSS

Sika Corporation

Admixtures

sponsored by Sika Corporation


Bruce Strickland

Bruce Strickland
National Marketing Manager
Sika Corporation

(800) 933–SIKA

Bruce has over 30 years experience in the admixture industry. In his career, he has held positions in product development, marketing, sales and sales management. Bruce has also spent time in...more»»


alkali silica reactivity
Posted by Mary Ann on August 4, 2006

What should be done to concrete placed on vertical structures 6 month ago that uses sand potentially reactive to alkali silica reaction?

Alkali silica reaction (ASR) is the reaction between the alkali contained in cement and silica containing aggregate. There are two parts of this equation. ASR does not necessarily have to be of concern if one of the constituents is missing. Using potentially reactive aggregate in conjunction with low alkali cement or slag or flyash does not necessarily have to lead ASR damage.
Another variable is the type of the structure and location. For ASR to happen moisture is required. If the structure (for example a concrete retaining wall) has continuous access to moisture then ASR damage is going to be more detrimental and treatment of the structure might be very expensive.
If the structure is accessible and exposed only to rain for example, than ASR can be slowed down by reducing the moisture penetration into the structure. There are "breathable" coatings available on the market that allow diffusion of moisture out of the structure but do not allow moisture to enter the structure. Applying such a coating to a structure that shows signs of ASR can reduce the rate of ASR. There are also Lithium salts available in the market that are used to reduce the occurrence of ASR, These product are available as admixtures for new structures or as spray applied products to be used in existing structures.
None of these products are final solutions that eliminate ASR, but can be successfully used to manage the risk of severe damage from ASR.


concrete roof
Posted by Robert on August 2, 2006

I want to roof a wood frame house with a 6 in 12 pitch with lightweight concrete. Has it been successfully done?

A 6 in 12 pitch roof is pretty steep. It would take a very stiff mix to be able to place it and not sag.

One alternative would be to precast panels for the roof.

I would consider cellular concrete for the weight considerations but I would first contact a roofer for more information on constructing a roof of this nature.

It may have been done successfully but my knowledge of roofing is limited.


dry admix for imprinted concrete
Posted by Jeff on July 19, 2006

Dear Bruce, We are looking to start a small busines supplying the DIY market with products to imprint small pathways themselves without employing large contractors. Can you advise me from your experience what dry admixes we can add to a pigment mix to condition and to reduce efflorescence when applied over the surface of the wet concrete prior to imprinting. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Jeff

Efflorescence is in its matter migration of soluble salts from the inside concrete to the surface. The transportation media in this case is water and salts migrating to the surface because there is higher evaporation rate at the surface. Highest contributor to efflorescence is cement.

In order to fight efflorescence we have to be able to reduce the volume of water migrating to the surface. The most effective way, in my opinion, is to fight it from the inside and actually prevent water migration.

Some admixtures currently available fight efflorescence but all of them (to the best of my knowledge) are liquid.

A powered High Range Water Reducer would help by reducing the water demand and could be used to reduce the cement content but I don’t think any are commercially available.

In short, I don’t know of a powdered efflorescence control product that is available.


Long term effects of HR WR
Posted by Bruce on July 6, 2006

We have recently poured a caisson, and one of the loads was sent back, with a major deviation ($5k CDN)because our slump was 20mm over spec(Spec is 150-180mm). No water was utilized, just chemically enhanced. A tremie was used, the W/C ratio was not affected, the air was in spec. The only problem I see, is that my subcontractor allowed the concrete to be poured while it was being tested. My question is as follows, will the extra slump in an already saturated environment make any difference either short or long term to the quality and longevity of the product?

Since the water/cement ratio was not changed and the final slump was achieved by using a superplasticizer or another water reducing admixture, the compressive strength should not be affected in negative way , neither should any other property of the concrete be significantly altered.
According to ASTM C 143 slump measurement values are rounded to closest ¼” (5mm). Therefore a variation of 20mm (approx ¾ inch) is not a significant change.

The only question is concerning the conditions under which the concrete was placed. If there was no segregation from the higher slump and the distance the concrete was allowed to free fall, the concrete should be structurally sound.

If the conditions are in a saturated environment that will only help the long term strength development.

The only problem I see is that the slump was out of spec, other than that I don’t see anything that should cause a problem.


steel tracks
Posted by walter on June 25, 2006

I own track vehicles and just poured a very expensive concrete slab. My track vehicles are clipping the surface, what can i do to stop this ? I’m getting ready to pour an additional section, is there anything I can do to prevent this ? I’m using 650 flex and 4000 PSI in different areas.

Putting a heavy track vehicle on concrete is probable expecting more from the concrete than it is capable of delivering, even a high quality 4000 PSI concrete.

Diamonds are the hardest substance in the world but if you hit a diamond with a hammer it will shatter. The same thing is happening with the concrete under the point load of a track vehicle. The aggregate as well as the cement paste is being shattered.

Concrete is hard but it is also brittle. What is needed is something that can absorb the impact and transfer the load to the concrete. A ductile and malleable surface treatment such as a metallic aggregate floor hardener would help. A surface treatment that can be compressed instead of being brittle would help protect the base concrete.


« Previous Page | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1314Next Page »
 
Back to Top

blank
© 2006 Penton Media Inc. Contact Us | Advertising | For Search Partners | Privacy Policy
blank