Superplasticizers and plastic shrinkage in silica fume concrete

Silica fume is an admixture for concrete and it leads to improved engineering properties. However, silica fume in concrete adversely affects the workability of the mix. It also reduces or eliminates bleeding, due to an increase in fineness, thereby resulting in premature drying of the concrete surface, which could lead to plastic shrinkage cracks. Abdulaziz A. Bubshait and Bassam Tahir briefly consider the plastic shrinkage potential of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete and silica fume concrete slab panels, both containing superplasticizing and retarding admixtures, and verifies various curing modes.