Effects of anionic monomer type of water-reducing admixture on fresh properties, compressive strength and water adsorption of self-compacting concrete

Abstract

In this study, the effects of anionic monomer functional group type of the water-reducing admixture (WRA) on the fresh properties and compressive strength of self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixtures were investigated. Nine types of polycarboxylate ether-based high-range WRAs with the same main chains but different anionic monomers linked to the main chain were synthesized and used in different dosages to provide the desired slump-flow value in SSC mixtures. For this motivation, in addition to the control admixture consisted of 100% carboxylate functional group, 5, 10, 20 and 30% of carboxylate functional group was replaced by either phosphate or sulfonate group. Test results revealed that the admixtures containing sulfonate and phosphate anionic monomer improved the fresh properties of SCC mixtures compared to those of the control admixture. However, anionic monomer exchange in the structure of the WRA did not significantly affect the compressive strength and water absorption capacity of the SCC mixtures.

Keywords:

• Water-reducing admixture
• anionic monomer type
• sulfonate functional group
• phosphate functional group
• self-compacting concrete

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Polisan Construction Chemicals Company and Bursa-Beton Ready Mixed Concrete Plant authorities for their kind assistance in providing the cement, aggregate and WRA as well as determining the chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties of these products.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Bursa Uludag University Scientific Research Projects Centre (BAP) under grant number AYP(MH)-2016/16, DDP(MH)-2019/15 and DDP(MH)-2018/9,The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under grant number 219M425.