Underwater Concrete—Impact of Fine
Particles in Cement on Washout
Resistance of the Concrete Mix
S. Grzeszczyk and K. Jurowski
Abstract The study discusses a role of chemical admixtures in creation of underwater concrete properties. Particular attention was paid to anti-washout (viscosity
enhancing) admixtures (AWA). Their classification and mechanism of action were
presented. Results of own testing were analysed with respect to the impact of mineral
additives of different fineness (ground-granulated blast-furnace slag, SiO 2 nanoparticles) and admixtures to the cement on the washout resistance of underwater concrete.
A favourable impact of fine particles in the cement on increasing the concrete washout
resistance was demonstrated. Taking into account a specific chemical structure of the
AWA applied, as well as its mechanism of action, a reason for increasing the underwater concrete washout resistance along with increasing quantity of fine particles in
the cement, including nanoparticles, was explained.
Keywords Underwater concrete · Chemical admixtures · Anti-washout
admixture · Nanoparticles
1 Introduction
Concrete work technology with application of underwater concrete types generally
consists in placing the concrete mix directly through a layer of still or flowing water. It
is used in places, where the concrete mix being placed is exposed to the water impact,
i.e. during construction and repairs of hydrotechnical structures, bridge abutments,
foundations on wetlands, oil platforms, strengthening of wharfs, etc. [1–3].
Underwater concrete technologies have been known and used for years, however,
they are continuously developed by using more and more interesting solutions for
placing the mixes and by modifying their composition with respect to properties.
Today’s underwater concrete mix is much different than that used over 50 years ago.
A particular importance for development of underwater concrete technologies had
the concrete technology developed and implemented by the Japanese in the 1990s, i.e.
S. Grzeszczyk · K. Jurowski (B)
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Opole University of Technology, Opole, Poland
e-mail: k.jurowski@po.edu.pl
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
Z. Zembaty et al. (eds.), Environmental Challenges in Civil
Engineering, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 122,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63879-5_10
129
Particles in Cement on Washout
Resistance of the Concrete Mix
S. Grzeszczyk and K. Jurowski
Abstract The study discusses a role of chemical admixtures in creation of underwater concrete properties. Particular attention was paid to anti-washout (viscosity
enhancing) admixtures (AWA). Their classification and mechanism of action were
presented. Results of own testing were analysed with respect to the impact of mineral
additives of different fineness (ground-granulated blast-furnace slag, SiO 2 nanoparticles) and admixtures to the cement on the washout resistance of underwater concrete.
A favourable impact of fine particles in the cement on increasing the concrete washout
resistance was demonstrated. Taking into account a specific chemical structure of the
AWA applied, as well as its mechanism of action, a reason for increasing the underwater concrete washout resistance along with increasing quantity of fine particles in
the cement, including nanoparticles, was explained.
Keywords Underwater concrete · Chemical admixtures · Anti-washout
admixture · Nanoparticles
1 Introduction
Concrete work technology with application of underwater concrete types generally
consists in placing the concrete mix directly through a layer of still or flowing water. It
is used in places, where the concrete mix being placed is exposed to the water impact,
i.e. during construction and repairs of hydrotechnical structures, bridge abutments,
foundations on wetlands, oil platforms, strengthening of wharfs, etc. [1–3].
Underwater concrete technologies have been known and used for years, however,
they are continuously developed by using more and more interesting solutions for
placing the mixes and by modifying their composition with respect to properties.
Today’s underwater concrete mix is much different than that used over 50 years ago.
A particular importance for development of underwater concrete technologies had
the concrete technology developed and implemented by the Japanese in the 1990s, i.e.
S. Grzeszczyk · K. Jurowski (B)
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Opole University of Technology, Opole, Poland
e-mail: k.jurowski@po.edu.pl
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
Z. Zembaty et al. (eds.), Environmental Challenges in Civil
Engineering, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 122,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63879-5_10
129