Superplasticized normal workability concrete, physical and mechanical properties

Most of the previous investigations on superplasticizers were based on the comparison between water-reduced concretes and normal concretes. Since the former concretes have a tower water/cement ratio, their other properties must be different. This paper attempts to investigate the properties and to establish the potential of superplasticized normal workability concrete with equal water/cement ratio. Test results indicate that the normal workability cement-reduced concrete reduced bleeding and heat of hydration in the fresh state and reduced creep in the hardened state. For the other physical and mechanical properties tested, which include strength, elastic deformation and shrinkage, the performance of the cement-reduced concrete is similar to or slightly better than that of the normal concrete.