What’s the purpose of air entrainment in concrete? I have heard that it can cause problems in freezing weather, butwhat’s the advantage?
“Put your creed in your deed.” Emerson
“When asked if you can do something, tell’em “Why certainly I can”, then get busy and find a way to do it.” T. Roosevelt
Replies
Air entrainment actually reduces problems that occur with freeze-thaw cycles. It makes the final product less susceptible to damage from snow melt treatments too.
It can also make the concrete a little easier to place.
It does reduce the strength of the mix a bit about 5% less strength per percent of entrained air. However, that loss of strength can be made up for by using less water in the mix, as the entrained air makes the mix easier to work. So strength-wise it can be a wash of sorts.
That's interesting. I got a copy of the testing companys report when they witnessed the pour and took the samples. The concrete was labelled "possibly non compliant" because it didn't match the specs. The specs called for 4" slump, they delivered 7.25". And the specs allowed 2-3% air, they delivered about 7% (going from memory). So obviously the gc wanted the concrete to flow easily."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Here is some information. http://www.cement.org/tech/cct_admixtures_AEA.asp
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.