1.

CONCRETE ADMIXTURES
Concrete admixture is defined as the material other than the aggregate, water and cement added
to the concrete. Concrete admixtures can improve concrete quality, manageability, acceleration, or retardation
of setting time, among other properties that could be altered to get specific results.

Types of Concrete Admixtures

1.a. Water Reducing Admixtures
Water-reducing admixtures are used to reduce the quan-
tity of mixing water required to produce concrete of a certain slump,
reduce water-cement ratio, reduce cement content, or increase
slump. Typical water reducers reduce the water content by
approximately 5% to 10%. Adding a water-reducing admixture to
concrete without reducing the water content can produce a mixture
with a higher slump.

1.b. Air Entraining Admixtures

Air-entraining admixtures are used to purposely introduce
and stabilize microscopic air bubbles in concrete. Air- entrainment
will dramatically improve the durability of concrete exposed to
cycles of freezing and thawing. Entrained air greatly improves
concrete’s resistance to surface scaling caused by chemical deicers
Furthermore, the workability of fresh concrete is improved
significantly, and segregation and bleeding are reduced or
eliminated.

1.c. Plasticizers
Plasticizers, often called superplasticizers, are essentially
high-range water reducers meeting ASTM C 1017; these
admixtures are added to concrete with a low-to-normal slump and
water-cement ratio to make high-slump flowing concrete. Flowing
concrete is defined by ASTM C 1017 as a concrete having a
slump greater than 190 mm (71⁄2 in.), yet maintaining cohesive
properties.

1.d. Retarding Admixtures

Retarding admixtures are used to delay the rate of setting
of concrete. High temperatures of fresh concrete (30°C [86°F]) are
often the cause of an increased rate of hardening that makes
placing and finishing difficult. Retarders do not decrease the initial
temperature of concrete. The bleeding rate and bleeding capacity
of concrete is increased with retarders.
1.e. Hydration-Control Admixtures
Hydration controlling admixtures became available in the
late 1980s. They consist of a two-part chemical system: (1) a
stabilizer or retarder that essentially stops the hydra- tion of
cementing materials, and (2) an activator that reestablishes normal
hydration and setting when added to the stabilized concrete.

1.f. Accelerating Admixtures

An accelerating admixture is used to accelerate the rate
of hydration (setting) and strength development of concrete at an
early age. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is the chemical most com-
monly used in accelerating admixtures, especially for non-
reinforced concrete.

1.g. Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibitors are used in concrete for parking
structures, marine structures, and bridges where chloride salts are
present. The chlorides can cause corrosion of steel reinforcement
in concrete. Ferrous oxide and ferric oxide form on the surface of
reinforcing steel in concrete. Ferrous oxide, though stable in
concrete’s alkaline environment, reacts with chlorides to form
complexes that move away from the steel to form rust. The chloride
ions continue to attack the steel until the passivating oxide layer
is destroyed. Corrosion-inhibiting admixtures chemically arrest the
corrosion reaction.

1.h. Shrinkage-Reducing Admixtures

Shrinkage-reducing admixtures, introduced in the 1980s,
have potential uses in bridge decks, critical floor slabs, and
buildings where cracks and curling must be minimized for durability
or aesthetic reasons. Propylene glycol and polyoxyalkylene alkyl
ether have been used as shrink age reducers. Drying shrinkage
reductions of between 25% and 50% have been demonstrated in
laboratory tests. These admixtures have negligible effects on slump
and air loss, but can delay setting. They are generally compatible
with other admixtures
1.i. ASR Inhibitors
Chemical admixtures to control alkali-silica reactivity (alkali-
aggregate expansion) were introduced in the 1990s. Alkali
aggregate expansion in concrete happens by the reaction of alkali
of cement with the silica present in the aggregates. It forms a gel
like substance and cause volumetric expansion of concrete which
may lead to cracking and disintegration. Lithium nitrate, lithium
carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium aluminum silicate (decrepitated
spodumene), and barium salts have shown reductions of alkali-
silica reaction (ASR) in laboratory tests.

1.j. Coloring Admixtures (Pigments)

Coloring admixtures are the pigments which produce color
in the finished concrete. The admixtures used to produce color
should not affect the concrete strength. Generally coloring
admixtures are added to cement in a ball mill, then colored cement
can be obtained which can be used for making colored concrete.

1.k. Damp Proofing Admixtures

Admixtures known as damp proofing agents include certain
soaps, stearates, and petroleum products. They may, but generally
do not, reduce the permeability of concretes that have low cement
contents, high water- cement ratios, or a deficiency of fines in the
aggregate. Damp proofing admixtures are sometimes used to
reduce the transmission of moisture through concrete that is in
contact with water or damp earth.

1.l. Permeability-Reducing Admixtures

Permeability-reducing admixtures reduce the rate at which
water under pressure is transmitted through concrete. One of the
best methods of decreasing permeability in concrete is to increase
the moist-curing period and reduce the water-cement ratio to less
than 0.5. Most admixtures that reduce water-cement ratio
consequently reduce permeability.

1.m. Pumping Aids

Pumping aids are added to concrete mixtures to improve
pumpability. Pumping aids cannot cure all unpumpable concrete
problems; they are best used to make marginally pumpable
concrete more pumpable. These admixtures increase viscosity or
cohesion in concrete to reduce dewatering of the paste while under
pressure from the pump.
1.n Bonding Admixtures and Bonding Agents
Bonding admixtures are usually water emulsions of organic
materials including rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate,
acrylics, styrene butadiene copolymers, and other polymers. They
are added to portland cement mixtures to increase the bond
strength between old and new concrete. Flexural strength and
resistance to chloride-ion ingress are also improved. They are
added in proportions equivalent to 5% to 20% by mass of the
cementing materials; the actual quantity depending on job
conditions and type of admixture used. Some bonding admixtures
may increase the air content of mixtures.

1.o. Gas-Forming Admixtures

Aluminum powder and other gas-forming materials are
sometimes added to concrete and grout in very small quantities to
cause a slight expansion of the mixture prior to hardening. This
may be of benefit where the complete grouting of a confined space
is essential, such as under machine bases or in post-tensioning
ducts of prestressed concrete. These materials are also used in
larger quantities to produce autoclaved cellular concretes.

1.p. Air Detrainers

Air-detraining admixtures reduce the air content in
concrete. They are used when the air content cannot be reduced
by adjusting the mix proportions or by changing the dosage of the
air-entraining agent and other admixtures. However, air detrainers
are rarely used and their effectiveness and dosage rate should be
established on trial mixes prior to use on actual job mixes.

1.q. Fungicidal, Germicidal, And Insecticidal Admixtures

Bacteria and fungal growth on or in hardened concrete
may be partially controlled through the use of fungicidal, germicidal,
and insecticidal admixtures. The most effective materials are
polyhalogenated phenols, dieldrin emulsions, and copper
compounds. The effectiveness of these materials is generally
temporary, and in high dosages they may reduce the compressive
strength of concrete.
 1.r. Antiwashout Admixtures
Antiwashout admixtures increase the cohesiveness of con- crete to
a level that allows limited exposure to water with little loss of
cement. This allows placement of concrete in water and under
water without the use of tremies. The ad- mixtures increase the
viscosity of water in the mixture resulting in a mix with increased
thixotropy and resistance to segregation. They usually consist of
water soluble cellu- lose ether or acrylic polymers.

Mortar Admixtures
Mortar Admixtures are used to modify the plastic and/or hardened properties of masonry mortars,
stuccos, and similar materials. Mortar admixtures typically offer properties such as waterproofing, water-
repellency, efflorescence control, air entrainment using plasticizers to enhance workability, accelerating and
retarding setting times etc. These mortar admixtures are used for ratios 1:3 or leaner mixes for use in
masonry construction.

Types of Mortar Admixtures Decide Their Respective Uses, Such As:

1. Waterproofing admixture is used to reduce moisture movement through bedding of masonry

or renders.
2. Water retaining admixtures reduces the suction of water from mortar into the masonry
blocks or units and enhances the workability, cohesion and reduces the bleeding.
3. Air entraining mortar admixture enhances the workability.
4. Accelerating mortar admixture reduces the setting times and is used where early strength
gain is necessary.
5. Retarding admixture increases the setting times and are generally used for ready-mixed
mortars.
6. Polymer dispersion admixture helps in air bonding and provides flexibility and water
repellency to masonry mortars.

2. FORMWORKS
Formwork is a mould or open box, like container into which fresh concrete is poured and compacted.
When the concrete is set, the formwork is removed and a solid mass is produced in the shape of the inner
face of the formwork.

Metal Formworks
The initial cost of metal formwork is more than timber formwork but the number of reuses of metal
formwork is higher than that of timber. In metal formwork usage, the metal sheets are prepared as
panels of standard sizes. This brings the difficulties of erecting irregular dimensions of formwork.
Steel, aluminum, or magnesium are the most widely used metals.
2.a. Metal Column Forms and Clamps

Sheeting of column formworks is prefabricated according to the

column dimensions from sheeting boards connected by cover
straps. The sheeting panels are placed in a foot rim which is
anchored in the soil by steel bolts. The foot rim consists of
double-nailed boards. The foot rim must be exactly measured-
in because it is decisive for the exact location of the column. It
has the same functions as the thrust-board for foundation or
beam formwork.

When the sheeting panels have been inserted in the foot rim, vertical arch timbers are placed to take up
the forces from the cover straps of the formwork sheeting. Around the arch timbers, which have the function
of walers, column clamps of flat steel are clamped with wedges or a rim of boards is arranged similar to
the foot rim. Additional formwork tieing by tie wires or steel screws is not necessary. The distances of the
clamps are specified in the formwork project. The column in the formwork is laterally tied by diagonal board
braces.

2.b. Metal Slab Form

Slab Formwork essentially consists of a horizontal load-bearing

structure which supports the form lining and transfers the forces
into the shoring. For girder slab formwork, wooden or aluminum
girders are crosswise mounted and covered with form lining of
choice. This construction allows easy adjustment to accommodate
different loads and ground plan geometries.

Large-sized slab tables are prefabricated based on the same principle and then delivered to the construction
site. Tables provide a very high level of safety in particular at the slab edges, and ensure very fast shuttering
times for large-sized areas.Modern modular slab formwork systems comprised of panels or girder grids
facilitate fast forming operations due to a minimum of individual components and a systematic assembly
sequence.

2.c Metal Scaffolds

Scaffold is the temporary support system provided for the

construction and maintenance purposes. It’s a temporary structure
to provide a platform at different levels of a building for workers
and materials. Steel scaffolds consists of steel tubes (1-1/2” –2-
1/2” diameter) coupler or clamps (to hold pipes in different
positions) Prop nuts (to hold single pipes) Bolts, Nuts & washers
wedge & clip.
3. CEILING FORMWORKS
Ceiling formwork is the type of formwork mostly found in structures/buildings. The formwork sheeting
may consist of sheeting boards or prefabricated sheeting panels. The formwork sheeting lies on squared
formwork bearers which are arranged on main bearers carrying off the forces to round columns. With smaller
rooms, the main bearer together with two columns form a trestle. Diagonal board bracings are provided to
take up horizontally acting forces. The columns are placed on double wedges which serve as stripping aid
and correction device.

3.a. Wall Angle, Double Furring, Carrying Channel

Wall Angle Braces are used in isolated Metal furring refers to a non-structural
wall systems. They eliminate acoustical metal attachment that is used to hold a
flanking and noise path throughout the finish material. In metal-framed
isolated walls. construction, the furring pieces are long,
light gauge materials of various shapes.
Builders commonly use metal furring as
a method of supporting one layer of
material over another, or holding
insulation or other construction items
between materials. They also use it in
order to meet fire codes or provide
sound barriers

In suspended ceiling construction, a

carrying channel is a three-sided metal
member used to support the entire ceiling
assembly.
 3.b. Aluminum T-Runners, Carrying Channels

4. DRYWALL PARTITION
Drywall, also known as plasterboard or gypsum board is a panel made of gypsum plaster pressed
between two thick sheets of paper. Drywalls are usually used to make interior walls and partitions. Drywall
Partition system is made of durable galvanized steel, usually it uses gypsum boards as surface material. It
is widely used in offices and residential building for its easiness of installation. Compared with wooden
board, gypsum boards can provide a safer and fire-resistive wall. And, compared with bulky brick wall, it
can greatly reduce the weight of building. Besides, thermal and acoustic insulation product may be filled in
partition frame to create a safe and quiet environment.

4.a. C-Tracks and C Studs

5. CEILING MATERIALS

5.a. Spandrel
Locally in the Philippines it is called as spandrels however
the appropriate term for it are soffits. The origin of the
word comes from the French phase “something fixed
underneath”. They are commonly installed at the eaves of
roofing system. However, the application of it can extend
to ceilings inside of a structure. Its purposes are for both
aesthetic and functional aspects for the roofing system.
Aesthetic in a way that it covers the excess part of the
rafters. This can greatly improve the appearance of the
structure by enclosing it with metal spandrels matched by
a pleasing design and color.

5.b. Metal Ceilings

Another use for metal in a building is actually as a ceiling

material. Metal has the same advantages inside a building
as on the outside from fire resistance to variety in finishes.
A metal ceiling also helps defray utility costs through more
efficient heating and cooling. Metal ceilings have a couple
of advantages over a gypsum or foam board ceiling: they
are easy to clean and they are very robust.

6. WALLS AND CEILINGS

6.a. Acoustic Board

An acoustic board is a special kind of board made of sound absorbing
materials. Between two outer walls sound absorbing material is inserted
and the wall is porous. Thus, the intensity of sound decreases when
sound passes through an acoustic board. The production of heat energy
balances the loss of sound energy.

6.b. Gypsum Board

Gypsum board is the generic name for a family of panel products that
consist of a noncombustible core, composed primarily of gypsum, and
a paper surfacing on the face, back and long edges.
 6.c. Hardiflex

7. ENGINEERED WOOD
Engineered wood, also called mass timber, composite wood, man-made wood, or manufactured
board, includes a range of derivative wood products which are manufactured by binding or fixing the strands,
particles, fibres, or veneers or boards of wood, together with adhesives, or other methods of fixation to form
composite material.

7.a. Laminated Floor Plans

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused

together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates
wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic applique layer
under a clear protective layer. The inner core layer is usually
composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials.

7.b. Stair Treads

The stair tread is the part of the staircase that the foot makes
contact with when ascending or descending. They can be made
from numerous materials including wood, metal, glass and
masonry. These, in combination with the riser, stringer and railings,
form a staircase.

7.c. Exterior Sidings (Lap Siding)

Lap siding is a siding design style and technique where the exterior
of the home is clad in overlapping boards. Lap siding is a popular
and efficient approach to protecting home exteriors from water
damage and inclement weather, as the overlapping technique and
the composite material of the lap siding prevent water from seeping
through the siding and damaging the home.
 7.d. Baseboard
A baseboard is a piece of wood molding that runs along the bottom
of a wall. Where the bottom of a baseboard ends, the floor begins.
A baseboard is useful for hiding any unevenness in the joint where
the wall meets the floor. In Britain, this is called skirting.

7.e. Fascia Board

The fascia board is the one mounted at the point where the roof
meets the outer walls of the house and is often called the roofline.
However most people refer to it by the name of the main board
that carries the gutter – the fascia or fascias. The fascia is fixed
directly to the lower ends of the roof trusses and usually does all
the work of supporting the lower edge of the bottom row of tiles.
The fascia board also carries all the guttering.

7.f. Finger-Jointed Wood

Sawn timber is extended using finger joints when there is a need
for pieces of timber that are longer than normal or certain
properties are required of the timber. By using finger joints, it is
possible to produce, for example, pieces of sawn timber that are
made completely of heartwood, completely knotless and very
straight. Such special products are usually used in the furniture
and window industries.

8. CORNICES
A cornice is decorative trim located at the meeting point
between walls and a roof or ceiling. Cornices are used on building
exteriors and interiors. On the outside of structures, a cornice is located
where the wall meets the roof. When you look up, it's the horizontal
area that sticks out at the top of the wall, right below the roofline.
Think of it like a crown. In room interiors, the cornice is the decorative
wood or plaster molding, a surface with raised designs (sometimes
made of plaster, hence the name molding) that circles a room right
below the ceiling.

9. EXPANSION BOLTS
An expansion bolt is inserted into a hole drilled in masonry and
mechanically expanded to serve as an anchor for shelves, timbers,
etc. By tightening the bolt, the nut on the opposite end pulls into the
shell, expanding it outward and wedging it inside the hole in the wall
or floor.
10. WATER PROOFING
Waterproofing in buildings is the formation of an impervious barrier over surfaces of foundations,
roofs, walls and other structural members of building to prevent water penetrations through these surfaces.
The building surfaces are made water-resistant and sometimes waterproof. Commonly used materials for
waterproofing in building is cementitious material, bituminous material, liquid waterproofing membrane and
polyurethane liquid membrane etc.

11. SOIL POISONING PROCEDURE

Chemical treatment of the soil around or under the foundation of buildings serves as one of the
most important means of isolating a building from termites; it provides protection from termite attack for
many years. The soil type and its moisture content affect the penetration of pesticides. A soil fill accepts
treatment best when it is damp, but not excessively wet or dry. If the soil is excessively wet, there is a
chance of runoff, and the chemical will not penetrate the soil. In frozen or excessively dry soil, pesticide
emulsions are repelled and puddling occurs, resulting in poor penetration
and distribution of the termiticide.

Types of Application
Trenching
Trenching involves digging a narrow trench and then flooding it with a measured amount
of insecticide. The trench must be right next to the face of the foundation wall or the masonry-work
footing of any supporting posts or piers. The trench may not extend below the top of the footing
of the foundation wall. The termiticide may be rodded into the soil at the bottom of the trench in
addition to being mixed with the excavated soil as the soil is replaced in the trench.

Rodding
Rodding the soil is believed by many to be the simplest method of application. The pesticide
is applied through hollow steel tubes inserted vertically or horizontally into the soil. A rod is usually
made of a pipe, 1/2 inch in diameter and about 4 feet long, with a handle and shutoff valve at one
end. The other end is fitted with a perforated tip to disperse the liquid laterally as well as downwards.
Penetration of the ground surface may be aided by wetting down the soil before inserting the rod.

Slab-On-Ground Buildings
This type of construction is best treated as a pretreatment. Soon after the gravel or dirt fill
has been made and tamped, spray the soil with termiticide before the concrete slab is poured. Use
a low-pressure (25 psi), coarse spray to avoid misting and drift.

Hollow Block Foundation/ Voids in Masonry

The general procedure is to drill holes in the blocks at least 1 to 2 feet above the footing
or as close to outside grade level as possible but not above the top of an interior slab. Chemical
should be injected to form a continuous barrier and every void should be treated. Apply the label
rate of diluted chemical for each 10 linear feet of wall or foundation so that it reaches the footing.
 Crawl Space Houses
Crawl spaces are low, less than 3 feet high, and usually have exposed soil. This type of
construction is common in many parts of the country, particularly where basements are common.
The exposed soil, short distance to floor joists and sills and unkempt nature make crawl spaces an
ideal portal for termites to find and infest the wood in a structure and for swarmers to escape the
nest. The termiticide selected should produce little or no odor; exposed treated soil in a crawl space
can become a smelly nuisance.

Soil Treatments
Treat the soil adjacent to the foundation walls by digging
a trench 6 to 8 inches wide along the inside of the
foundation. Apply the correct amount of diluted termiticide
for each 10 linear feet of trench for each foot of depth
from grade to the footing. Where the top of the footing
is more than 12 inches deep and thus large volumes of
termiticide must be applied, make holes about 12 inches
apart in the bottom of the trench to the top of the footing,
using a crowbar, metal rod or grouting rod. These holes
permit better distribution of the termiticide by providing access to the soil at depths below the
trench. The holes may need to be closer together in hard-packed clay soils than in light sandy
soils. Refill the trench with the excavated soil, mixing it with the pesticide

Reference:

https://www.contractorbhai.com/2016/01/02/drywall-interior-partition-and-its-benefits/
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