Benefits Of Using Silica Based Concrete Additives In Constructions

Silica Based Concrete Additives | Image Resource : microsilica-fume.com

Concrete is the vital construction material that is made more effective with the use of suitable additives. Silicon is an element that is now considered as a good choice for making the admixtures in large scale constructions. Thus, silica based concrete additives are now highly popular in construction industry. Usually, the ideal amounts of silica additives should be 3 to 5% of the total volumes of concrete needed. There are many benefits of using these additives in any domestic or commercial construction.

Uses of silica based concrete additives in buildings

Silica additives are used for constructing the beams and bars or pillars of a building, making the building last for many years without any major repair. The concrete floor slabs of the interior and exterior parts are preferably made by adding silica additives to the concrete in 5 to 7% rate of total cement needed.

The raft foundations of the large multistory buildings are made with the silica based concrete admixtures that provide better support to the entire building structures. So usually, silica additive is taken up to 7 to 10% of the concrete volume.

The walls of the domestic and commercial buildings are now made with silica concrete additives, making the constructions much stronger and supportive of the roofs and other additional features. However, here the permitted silica additive amount is 5 to 7% of the concrete volume, which is the same for building the staircases of the high-rises.

Apart from the buildings, bridges are also created by mixing 3.5 – 10% silica additives to the concrete paste, for making the structures more stable and waterproof. These additives are more often used for the bridges and dams over high tide water. The tunnels in earthquake prone areas are also preferred to be made with these additives for better durability.

Procedures of applying silica based concrete admixtures

The micro particles of silica are added to Ca(OH)2 of concrete, the chemical interaction of which renders the desired strength and stability of the concrete structures. The water resistance of the concrete is also increased by the measured addition of silica based concrete additives to the wet concrete paste. Micro particles of silica may also be added to ash, to make the mixture more effective.

Therefore, silica additives now make concrete constructions more durable and resistant to all weather hazards and even earthquakes, ensuring better safety of the people.