Admixtures for Concrete - What is a Water Reducer?

[@TheCorporateCollege]

I never thought I would be researching cement. I’m a docent at a Mission at Goliad State Park, Texas. Established in 1749, it was built with native limestone. Kilns were used to get quicklime, added sand and water. The mission existed about 140 years before it was abandoned . Thereafter, it collapsed under weather and gravity stresses. It was rebuilt by the CCC in 1935. Original fence walls still exist. Your videos have been helpful, and I’d like to know more as to why some structures remain while others do no.

[@supersignsaustraliaptyltd3734]

Thanks for taking something complicated and making it easy to understand. Been 35 years since I had a chemistry lesson and this was probably the best I have had, loved the effect with notes in the background and you in front working through them. Thanks for your help

[@thomasglessner6067]

I love learning about concrete. Tyler you rock, concrete that is. Like knowing the science behind admixes. Thanks for sharing.

[@chintan933]

Best explanation in the market.

[@TylerLey]

Thank you!

[@gothamcollections1038]

Your videos and teachings are AMAZING. I cant thank you enough!!

[@pulporock]

Exceptional video on the topic described; would love see one on fibers.

[@TylerLey]

Thank you so much! I am thinking about making one.

[@ttnolight]

Thanks for this video. Please do you know that the standard dosage limit is for Type A and F water reducer in term of % of cement for a mix

[@bekyme9765]

Nice presentation. Yet when does the influence of aggregates ( which make up about 70% of concrete volume) on work ability of concrete come into picture ?

[@MilesPittman]

Hello Trey, I came to your channel to learn about vapor barrier admixtures used in combination with different types of underslab vapor barriers. Have you used these, and are they worth an extra $50 per yard? Thank you!

[@GRUBB-MUDD]

What is r4?

[@ricciryanrojo]

Thank you for this video, it is really helpful! Would you happen to have a design mix for 3000 psi using superplasticizers?

[@cchemmes2096]

Do you have any videos on the admixture sold in home hardware stores: acrylic fortifier?

[@chadcooper7348]

Dr. Ley - Just found your channel and have watched a string of videos already. I’m interested in ICF block form construction and one of the key concerns I’ve heard others point out is the ability to get the concrete down 8-10’ feet of wall through the forms plastic webbing, in addition to the rebar and ties. A common theme has been slump… most of concrete contractors suggesting 5 or 6. And, water reducers are always noted when the slump is suggested. All of the above said, do you have a recommended specifications for water content, water reducer and other admixtures… on a per yard basis? Do you have any thoughts on using a 6 slump, given the reasoning noted above? And, what are your thoughts about specifying a smaller sized stone in the mix? I don’t want to weaken the strength of the concrete. If anything, I’m interested in constructing stronger walls (and roof, as I intend to use ICF roof panels forms as well). Thoughts on fiberglass additives into concrete mix for slab and roof panel forms? Also… I appreciate you pointing out alternatives to epoxy coatings in one of your other videos. I will definitely be liking into availability and cost for galvanized rebar! Appreciate your videos and any help you might be able to provide to my questions. Hope you find the time to create more videos in the near future. Best, Chad

[@fritzpak4821]

We actually have a superplasticizers that we highly recommend for use in icf construction. Check out our product video to learn more. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH-6f5SmmZ1nftU

[@mistermattconnors]

Thanks for the great video. Here's my novice question: Would you recommend adding a polycarboxylate water reducer to store bought concrete mix (i.e. Sakrete high-strength) for pouring a slab. If so, can you recommend a brand and proportion of this admixture?

[@joehuds0n]

Thanks for the great video. If I'm using a liquid form of PCE super plasticiser, I'm guessing there'll be a point where more will start reducing concrete strength due to the material of the PCE admixture beginning to keep the concrete particles too far apart for high strength development, like more water would. Is that right? I'm trying to make a strong self levelling compound with a W/C of ~ 0.36 or under, that flows really well, but am finding that ~ 2-3% addition of super plasticiser required to get near that fluidity is leading to more air bubbles than wanted, so reluctant to add more..

[@sealpiercing8476]

Sounds like you might need a defoaming agent like he mentioned in the video.

[@martinhermann4108]

Tyler what is the true strength of the ready to use concrete mix (off the shelf) ?

[@philstone7475]

Yes! Please answer that! The Quickcreat Pre mix is supposedly 4000 psi from that bag. Bull CRAP! I always mix in more Portland cement and even some play sand if I’m using it to do a small pour just to make it sort of decent. There’s no way it’s as described on the bag! Please do a video on this man!

[@chancebutler6472]

tyvm :))) youtube would be nothing without teachers like u. in their owning learning and profit wise now haha

[@mashfiqulislam8332]

Dear Sir, could you please suggest an admixture for Class C fly ash based geopolymer mortar/concrete, to improve the setting time and workability, as these are prepared from high ph (13-14) alkaline activators, so the conventional PCEs are not working in high ph thus the final setting is close to 30 minutes only. TIA.

[@TylerLey]

This is a tough one. The best plasticizer for this situation is water. It will help with workability and set time. I realize that it will reduce strength. You might try blending in a class F fly ash. This will also help.

[@drewd7824]

thanks to you I know the dispatch and workers at the concrete plant don’t know $hit !! I asked them what water reducer is best for workability and they said it makes it worse, it “reduces water” so it will be harder to work.

[@timengsol9379]

This is brilliant.

[@RicardoCruz-tn8by]

Thanks for video. As you say the superplasticizer based PCE have a secondary effect, increase air content in concrete. But why the air content is so unstable? The air content can be 2.0% at time zero, but at 60 minutes it is 7.0% for example with some sands.

[@TylerLey]

Good question and there is not a simple answer. Air is created from mixing. Some combinations of admixtures will build as they mix while others will increase only to a certain value and then stop. However, PCE will make your air entraining admixtures more efficient. This means for the same dosage you will get more air. This is also dependant on the mixing energy. If I knew more about the materials you were using then I may be able to help more.

[@RicardoCruz-tn8by]

@@TylerLey thanks. In Colombia we don't use air entraining admixture because we are a tropical country. The situation with the unstable air in concrete was observed in laboratory and industrially. The materials for concrete are: Cement HE , sand river or crushed, gravel crushed, plasticizer based Lignosulfonate and superplasticizer based PCE. We also know with superplasticizer based on sulfonated naphthalene we don't have problem with inestability air, but this technology is limited. Thank you for your time and share your knowledge.

[@drewd7824]

This allows better workability in a blend (pea gravel and 1- minus) ? By adding water reducer.

[@brotoriousone5735]

@tylerley what about kalmatron kfa

[@billys6369]

So if i use water reducer but still pour about a 5 slump i will get a better product? Also how does the reducer affect air entrainment in freeze thaw climates?

[@078martini]

Great explanation of the concrete admixture theory. And I too agree that PCE based concrete admixtures are the best in the current market. However, I am wondering why PCE based superplasticizer has a low tolerance level of unstable quality of concrete ingredients. Being based in Indonesia, a country that does not follow standard concrete protocol, our country has been facing lots of instability problems in concrete strength and durability due to the variant non-standardized concrete ingredients. Would you be so kind as to give a suggestion to mitigate such problems? Also, an interesting fact that I found out during my work survey in China, that China has a history of using an Aliphatic (fatty acid based) superplasticizer during their cultural revolution period (around the 1980s up till recently around 2000s). They have been discontinued due to China's current strict environment issues but this type of superplasticizer has a higher tolerance level on mud content and unstable concrete ingredients, while at the same time, able to be fused into Naphthalene based and PCE based superplasticizer.

[@TylerLey]

Thanks for the info. PCEs are very sensitive to water content in the mix. Also, if there are clays in the fines then they can absorb the PCEs and they will not disperse the cement grains.

[@078martini]

@@TylerLey Noted. Thanks for the reply.

[@shaneclk9854]

Where can you buy these in America?

[@anthonybaratta2123]

Awesome video!!

[@piyushdadgal]

Can we add two or more admixture

[@jevon5945]

How can graphene contribute to the improvements to concrete or can it not

[@kpfani]

if plasticizers reduce static elelctrical charges, can a ground strap be used during the batch process to eliminate or reduce the charges and use less water? could a ground strap be used at the jobsite to reduce the static generated during transit?

[@TylerLey]

Thanks for the question. Plasticizers don't reduce the electric charge. They provide the same electric charge to the surface of the cement grains. This causes the grains to repel one another and makes the concrete more workable.

[@GannaDeshiyaDe]

Thanks

[@alejandromarquez5565]

Excellent explanation I just confirm that at the end it comes to chemistry and I am not good at that subject

[@TylerLey]

Just keep working and you will get it!

[@timmytbones4333]

I need a little help I am looking to do a fake stone type project I need more time to work the concrete as I put it on the wall I’ve done this before using a product I bought from a (stone maker) guy that made fake stones for a job I no longer know this guy could you possibly give me some advise on where to get a good retarder and plasticizer

[@tomrobertson3236]

How about a video about aircrete DYi people are using it . Latest is the honeydew carpenter channel He's sdded lime, lubricant and straw . Also wter glass to make refractory. I have seen no expert opinion about it

[@luderudecrude]

I've been going back and forth between honey do and Tyler Ley trying to figure this shit out. All i want to do is build a house for a family of four as cheaply as i can. but this stuff is getting really out of hand with the different admixtures and water contents and what soap to use. Who would have thought you needed a PhD in concrete

[@dlorien7306]

@@luderudecrude hope you built your house. Just starting mine. If you haven't yet, you might consider AAC

[@JohnSmith-wt1lx]

When mixing I have always added Glenium to my mix after adding water, but a BASF guy just told me that I should be adding my glenium before my water. What do you think?

[@TylerLey]

Thanks, I have never heard to add it before the water. I always add my water reducer after getting some minimal water slump. Also, you don't want to add the water reducer too early or it will be absorbed in the early C3A reaction. However, they may know something that I don't.

[@FOURSTAR50]

I can't think of one dry batch plant that doesn't add it into the head water of the load reasoning being is mixing the polycarboxylate & water together so when they come in contact with the other constitutions + cement during the ribbon loading process that will be more uniform throughout the drum this is the industry thinking even though all the water reducers are said go with the tail water. The real world kicks in efficiencies in the mixing drum of the mixer how worn are the mixing blades in the belly band of the drum ? what is the blade design? how much build-up is there in the drum? right around the roller ring can get clogged up badly it's hard to wash every load stay efficient you can get a small hole about 15" I've seen slows down the moving of the material(loading to bigger problem) from this sloshing back / forth = spiraling method of the mix there are no fins working upward between the blades in 80% of the drums based on money that actually lift break the mix up stir it unlike a mixer drum in a wet plant ... Now with a dry plant operation loading somewhere between a 60 to 40 water sequence or 75 or 80 or 90 I usually see higher numbers the injection tubes are near where the water drops in they want to make sure that the water & admixture is washed in completely another reason busy days rushing ,new drivers that don't no much about concrete but can drive the truck go right up start washing in getting the load out / delivered usually wins over quality (with say a tail water introduction of admixture ) U could have a gallon of admixture in the discharge section of the drum (in front of the roller ring) that hasn't dispersed through the load getting a false slump ... any mixer driver will tell you unless you're stopping mixing the load no water 95% of the time the last couple yards is always going to be dryer at a moderate discharge speed the only time I've never seen this untrue providing no water was introduced is a mix design with a ton of slump retention I've actually seen it go the other way it loosens up yes could be near 2" of slump ... Could it be the dosage maybe? Could it be the ineffectiveness of the blade design ? it would have to be tested under those conditions ... Lab Concrete=Plant Concrete=Mixer Drum Concrete=Form Concrete > biggest battle is how to keep it the same

[@aqabajordan5356]

What is the maximum strength of concrete we can produce in real life , and what is the least added amount of water per 100kg of OPC to obtain this ultimate compresive strength? Thank you

[@TylerLey]

ultra high performance concrete can get a compressive strength > 20ksi or 140 MPa. This is not normal concrete. You have to reduce the water content to about 0.30 w/cm. You also have to carefully design the size distribution of the binder that you use. Also, you may have to cook the concrete as well. With normal concrete you can get 15ksi or 100 MPa if you have the right aggregate.

[@aqabajordan5356]

Tyler Ley Thank you again...I like watching your videos..so helpful and enlightening

[@bgt63]

Do one on xypex

[@CSLFiero]

This reducer stuff is going to enable me to pour many cubes without help. A nice slow set time is what I need to get 50 bags mixed and poured from a wheelbarrow.

[@mariodinovo4018]

dish soap works too

[@wankim4345]

you made me realize I did not learn a single thing from my construction materials class last semester and the prof was not explaining things enough

[@salamamer702]

I want to stop the holes which appears on the surface of construction after on day

[@TylerLey]

I do to Salam. Do you have pictures of these holes?

[@bubba9482]

sounds like some sort of off gassing

[@PatrickMensah-zs3pv]

Am in kumasi now please I need same

[@jngarg450]

sir how to make pc base admixture

[@TylerLey]

Jn They don't usually use admixtures in stabilized bases. This doesn't mean that we don't need new admixtures or that they couldn't be developed in the future but now we don't use any.

[@jngarg450]

sir then how to make a hardener or even a admixture?

[@bappigorai]

Nice presentation !! Have a request to you that add some graphics and animation so that it is more interesting to with and understand...

[@AZHaK999]

Gidrofil+gidrofob?

[@shawncockrell6007]

I am building a concrete house, so yes, I am concrete crazy !

[@mytech6779]

Now the question is where can I, as a hobbyist/home and farm guy, get small quantities of admixtures and SCMs without tons of hoops, a business account, and breaking the my bank?

[@aymannassar6988]

👍

[@TylerLey]

Thanks!

[@EngineerPEretired]

Yes, love plasticizers...

[@janvijverstra7674]

i know i 1990 they making concrete and added dishwas liquid.But later they stop with it.

[@TylerLey]

We still use it! It is called an air entrainer!

[@PatrickMensah-zs3pv]

Am in kumasi now please I need same

[@PatrickMensah-zs3pv]

Am in kumasi now please I need same