EFFECT OF ADMIXTURE ON THE PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE (A CASE STUDY OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE AND CAUSTIC SODA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This project examined the effects of admixture on concrete. Three • different mixes of concrete cubes of 1 :2:4 mix ratio were produced by manual mixing with the application of two different admixtures(Potassium Chloride and Caustic soda) on two separate mixes respectively and the third mix without admixture. The cubes so produced were subjected to curing for 7, 14,21 and 28, days respectively and crushing tests were carried out at ages stated. The results obtained varies due to the effects of admixture on the concrete. It was found that the Potassium chloride admixture retards both the initial and final set of the concrete as a result of its base chemical and produced concrete with the highest strength which increased progressively as the age increased. The Caustic soda admixture accelerates the setting time 'of the concrete and reduced the water content iii the concrete mix during the chemical hydration reaction, thereby yielding a low workability, and produced concrete with the lowest strength, vi