1

NEW GENERATION ADMIXTURE FOR IMPROVEMENT

OF
CONCRETE WITH MANUFACTURED SANDS
Barry Corrigan
MBT (Australia) Pty Limited
Bruno DSouza
MBT (Australia) Pty Limited
Ion Dumitru
Boral Construction Materials (NSW)
intermediate slump range of 125 to
160mm led to the introduction of the first of a new class of admixtures that are now
referred to in the concrete industry as medium or mid-range water-reducing (MWR)
admixtures. These admixtures can provide intermediate water reduction without the

.3 1.3 1.2 1.4

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6.0 TEST RESULTS

A series of other tests were also carried out to determine Flow properties, AS2350.3
(Fig. 1), Percentage of bleeding, AS1012.6 (Fig. 2), Setting times, AS1012.18 (Fig. 3)&
Compressive strength, AS1012.9 (Fig. 4) & Drying shrinkage AS1012.13 (Fig 5).
Results were tabulated and are represented in the graphs below.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0Min 45 Min 90 Min
Lapsed Time
% Flow
Mix 1
Mix 2
Mix 3
Mix 4
Mix 5
Fig.3 Percentage Flow versus Lapsed Time
1.9
0.6
1.5 1.6
3.7

0
1
2
3
4
Mix 1 Mix2 Mix3 Mix 4 Mix 5
% Bleed

Fig.4 Percentage of bleeding

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0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5
Time (Hrs:Mins)

Initial Set
Final Set
Fig.5 Initial / Final Set

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5
Compr.
Strength
(MPa)

1 Day
7 Days
28 Days
Fig.6 Compressive strength versus Age
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0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Shrinkage
(m/strain)
7 Days 14 Days 21 Days 28 Days

Mix 1
Mix 2
Mix 3
Mix 4
Mix 5
Fig. 7 Drying Shrinkage versus Age
* 90-day compressive strengths & 56 days drying shrinkage results were not available at
the time of submission.
7.0 ATTRIBUTES OF MWR-PC ADMIXTURES
In addition to their mid-range water reducing capability, these admixtures also impart
other characteristics to concrete that have facilitated their acceptance and use within the
concrete industry. Some of these unique attributes are described as follows:
7.1 Enhanced Finishability
One of the attributes of MWR-PC admixtures that have led to their widespread use is the
enhanced finishability characteristic that they impart to concrete. This characteristic is
primarily due to their effects on the rate of bleeding of concrete and the rate of stiffening
prior to initial set.
The enhanced finishability of concretes treated with MWR has been demonstrated in
laboratory studies using a test method that was developed to measure how easily concrete
can be finished without the subjectivity inherent to the finishing process (6). The effort
required to finish concrete over a 1-hour period was reduced by 38 to 52 percent with a
260ml/100kg dose rate of MWR. These reductions in finishing effort are particularly
desirable in flatwork applications since the tendency to spray water onto the surface as a
finishing aid and overfinishing are minimized. Ultimately, this can lead to an
improvement in the durability of the concrete surface.
7.2 Pumpability
In addition to improving finishabililty, the workability, pumpability and placeability of
concretes treated with MWR-PC admixtures are also significantly better than that of
untreated concretes or concretes treated with conventional water-reducing admixtures.
The enhanced pumpability of MWR-PC-treated concrete results in lower pump pressures.
It has been reported that hydraulic pressure has been reduced by 500 psi to 1000 psi
compared to 1500 psi, and that treated concrete with a slump of 90mm has been pumped
as though the slumps were at least 25mm more.
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The reductions in pump pressure may be due to the fact that MWR-PC adds texture to
concrete mixtures and reduce stickiness and friction within the matrix of concrete. (5)
8.0 APPLICATIONS AND BENEFITS
MWR admixtures have found a niche in concreting applications that require mid-range
water reduction (5 to 10%), particularly, in the mid-range slump range of 125mm to
160mm. These admixtures are currently used in the following applications:
Flatwork
Pumping
Formed surfaces
Low slump machine placement (such as kerb and gutter)
MWR-PC admixtures provide several benefits for concrete producers as well as
contractors. For concrete producers, MWR-PC admixtures provide controlled setting
characteristics and excellent performance viz. enhanced workability, pumpability and
finishability across a wide slump range. Benefits for contractors include easier
consolidation and reduction in labour costs.
9.0 CONCLUSIONS
Some of the preliminary test results with the MWR-PC and Manufactured sands in
concrete appear to be promising for practical and commercial purposes.

However, the authors are of the opinion that:

1. The properties of concrete in mix designs using manufactured sands to partially
replace natural sand (Mix 3 & 5) are comparable with the control mix (Mix 1)
containing 100% natural sand.
2. The early age drying shrinkage values of Mix 3, 4 & 5 are well within acceptable
limits, if not better than the control mix (Mix1).
3. The use of a MWR-PC type admixture in conjunction with concrete mixes
containing manufactured sands can be beneficial, where for example the bleed
water and set times need to be minimized, particularly for cold weather
concreting.
4. Due to its unique characteristics and properties the MWR-PC imparts distinct
advantages, making a normally harsh mix more workable, cohesive and easy to
place and finish.
5. More investigation and research needs to be carried out to establish mixes that are
acceptable to concrete producers, contractors and their clients. Furthermore, these
trials will provide an opportunity to properly assess the scope for savings through
optimization of mix designs.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank the lab technicians of Boral Construction Materials, Materials
Technical Services NSW for their efforts in generating the data collected for the publication of
this paper and to MBT (Australia) Pty Limited for permission to publish this work.
REFERENCES
1. Lee, L., Sabaa, B., Study of Alternatives to Fine Sand in Concrete and Fill
Applications in the Sydney Region, Proceedings of 19 th Biennial Conference of
Concrete Institute of Australia, Sydney 1999 pp302-313
2. Dumitru, I., Smorchevsky, G., Formosa, M., (1998). Further investigation into
the effects of shape, texture and gradings of Manufactured Sands on the plastic
and hardened properties of concrete. Institute of Quarrying, 42 nd Annual
Conference, Launceston, Australia.
3. ASTM C33 (Draft) 2002. Designation C33-02.a.
Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregate (ASTM Committee C09).
4. Dumitru, I., (2000). Manufactured Sand Research in Australia.
Aggregates Manager, May 2000, USA.
5. Nmai, C.K, Schagbaum,T., Violetta, B., A history of Mid-range Water-Reducing
Admixtures, Concrete International vol. 20, No 4, April 1998 pp.45-50
6. Bury, M. A; Bury, J R.; and Martin, D., Testing Effects of New Admixtures on Concrete
Finishing, Concrete International, V. 16 No. 1, January 1994, pp. 26-31