The influence of selected new generation admixtures on the workability, air-voids parameters and frost-resistance of self compacting concrete

The influence of a new generation superplasticizer (SP) type, air-entraining admixture (AEA), viscosity modifying admixture (VMA) and anti-foaming admixture (AFA) on the air-content, workability of self-compacting concrete (SCC) is analyzed in the paper. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the admixtures on porosity and pore size distribution of SCC at constant water on cement ratio, type and volume of aggregate and volume of cement paste. The compressive strength, frost resistance and durability coefficient (DF), parameters of the air-voids of hardened SCC are also investigated.

► Admixtures affect the properties of SCC.
► SP type influences the porosity, frost-resistance and DF of SCC.
► VMA results in increase of air content in non-air entrained SCC and causes the decrease of air-entraining of SCC.
► AFA results in adverse effect on values of air-voids parameters of SCC, regardless of frost-resistance of SCC.
► SCC is frost-resistant even though the values of air-voids parameters are different from recommendations of European standards.