Mineral Admixtures in Cement and Concrete

Written for engineers, this book focuses on how to make more workable and durable concrete using mineral admixtures. For each mineral admixture, the book examines manufacturing and processing, physical characteristics, chemical and mineralogical composition, quality control, and reported experiences. It also examines the provisions of national standards on the admixture’s addition to cement and concrete. Offering a deeper understanding of mineral admixtures, it encourages engineers to more effectively use these and other wastes in cement and concrete to support more sustainable growth of the cement and construction industry.

Written to meet the requirements of engineers working in construction and concrete manufacturing, Mineral Admixtures in Cement and Concrete focuses on how to make more workable and durable concrete using mineral admixtures. In particular, it covers pulverized fuel ash (PFA), blast furnace slag (BFS), silica fume (SF), rice husk ash (RHA), and metakaolin (MK), as well as some new admixtures currently under investigation.

For each mineral admixture, the book looks at manufacturing and processing, physical characteristics, chemical and mineralogical composition, quality control, and reported experiences. It also examines the provisions of national standards on the admixture’s addition to cement and concrete. References to microstructures and chemistry are kept to a minimum and only discussed to the extent necessary to help readers apply the admixtures in practice.

The book also addresses hydration, presenting the relevant chemistry and detailing the impact of adding mineral admixtures to concrete. A chapter on strength and durability explains the mechanisms, models, and standards related to concrete deterioration and how to mitigate carbonation, alkali-aggregate reactions, chloride attack and corrosion of reinforcement, external and internal sulphate attack, decalcification, and freeze-thaw action.

This book is a useful reference for practicing engineers and students alike. It brings together, in one volume, information on the materials, hydration, and the strength and durability of cement and concrete with mineral admixtures. Offering a deeper understanding of mineral admixtures, it encourages engineers to more effectively use these and other wastes in cement and concrete to support more sustainable growth of the cement and construction industry.