CONCRETE MIX WATER--HOW IMPURE CAN IT BE?

THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICALS DISSOLVED IN MIX WATER ON THE STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT OF MORTAR AND CONCRETE ARE REVIEWED. NATURAL, FRESH WATER RARELY CONTAINS MORE THAN 2000 PPM. (0.2 PERCENT) OF DISSOLVED SOLIDS, AND IS GENERALLY SUITABLE AS MIX WATER. WATERS CONTAMINATED WITH INDUSTRIAL WASTES APPEAR ALSO TO BE GENERALLY SUITABLE AT THESE LOW CONCENTRATIONS. MUCH LARGER CONTENTS OF THE IMPURITIES GENERALLY PRESENT IN NATURAL WATERS CAN ALSO BE TOLERATED EXCEPT FOR THE ALKALI CARBONATES AND BICARBONATES WHICH MAY HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS EVEN AT 2000 PPM. IMPURITIES THAT MAY BE DETRIMENTAL AT MODERATE CONCENTRATIONS ARE THE SULFIDES, IODATES, PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, BORATES, AND COMPOUNDS OF LEAD, ZINC, COPPER, TIN, AND MANGANESE. ORGANIC SOLUTES ARE ALSO SUSPECT, ESPECIALLY SUGARS. RISK OF CORROSION OF STEEL LIMITS THE USE OF SEA WATER. /PCA/

• Authors:
  • Steinour, H H
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Portland Cement Assoc R & D Lab Bull
  • Issue Number: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alkali; Carbonates; Concrete mixing; Copper alloys; Corrosion protection; Fresh water; Industrial wastes; Inorganic compounds; Lead compounds; Manganese; Phosphates; Seawater; Sulfides; Water
• Old TRIS Terms: Alkalies; Arsenates; Bicarbonates; Borates; Copper compounds; Manganese compounds
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00213561
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Portland Cement Association
• Report/Paper Numbers: No 119
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 1 1970 12:00AM