Effect of high-range water-reducing admixture chain lengths on self-consolidating concrete

Abstract

The effect of the length of main and side chains of high-range water-reducing admixture (HRWRA) on some fresh and hardened properties of self-consolidating concretes (SCCs) was researched. admixtures with different side and main chain lengths were synthesized. For a given SCC slump-flow value, the admixture requirement was the least when the admixture having a medium side chain length (2400 g/mol) was used. Moreover, decreasing the main chain length of the admixture improved the fresh properties' retention of SCC. The fact was attributed to the increase in free polymer in the mixture by increasing the side chain length of the admixture. The main and side chain lengths of the HRWRA admixture were significantly influential on the early compressive strength of SCC mixtures but had a negligible effect on their 7- and 28-day compressive strength and 28-day water absorption.