Title: Tailor-Made Superplasticizers for Modern Concrete

Author(s): M. Corradi, R. Khurana, and R. Magarotto

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 239

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 231-248

Keywords: adsorption; cement; cement kiln dust; chain length; density; PCE superplasticisers; performance; secondary fuels; superplasticizers; supplementary cementitious materials

DOI: 10.14359/18382

Date: 10/1/2006

Abstract:
The concrete industry is heading towards more sustainable development and aims to make concrete an even more cost-effective building material. In this effort, the cement industry uses increasing amounts of secondary fuels to improve efficiency. Cement kiln dust from the clinker cooling and grinding processes are returned to the cement. Also, the use of supplementary cementitious materials, marginal and recycled aggregate in concrete production is increasing. These practices introduce materials, not foreseen, in the past, in the concrete composition. They are not always inert and often negatively affect the performance of the superplasticiser. In this paper the parameters that cause incompatibility between the cement, other components of the concrete mixture and the superplasticiser are examined. Tailor made superplasticisers are required to overcome these incompatibilities. Some case studies are presented, where the tailor made approach made a positive difference.