Title: VERDiCT: Viscosity Enhancers Reducing Diffusion in Concrete Technology

Author(s): Dale P. Bentz, Max A. Peltz, Kenneth A. Snyder, and Jeffrey M. Davis

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 31

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 31-36

Keywords: admixture; diffusion; durability; pore solution; viscosity

DOI:

Date: 1/1/2009

Abstract:
Many attempts to increase the service life of reinforced concrete structures have focused on producing less permeable concrete to limit the ingress of deleterious elements. These mixture modifications, however, also typically increase the concrete’s propensity for early-age cracking. A new approach to increasing concrete service life involves the use of carefully selected viscosity modifiers to substantially increase the viscosity of the concrete pore solution and slow the diffusion of elements through the pore solution.