International Conference on Sustainable Design, Engineering and Construction, ICSDEC 2015, Chicago, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, 10 - 13 Mayıs 2015, cilt.118, ss.1236-1241
© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.Nowadays, the concrete admixtures are widely used in the construction projects. The main types of chemical admixtures can be summarized as plasticizers, accelerating/retarding agents, air entraining agents, waterproofing additives and others such as corrosion inhibitors and colouring agents etc. The benefits derived from the use of chemical admixtures include improved durability, strength, chemical resistance, colouring, reduction in water and cement requirement and enhanced working properties of concrete. Turkey is one of the major consumers in developing countries regarding chemical admixtures. Therefore, this study set out to determine general utilization and consciousness about admixtures through a survey in Eskisehir, Turkey. The survey was performed by 153 construction professionals. The questions about reasons for preference of admixtures, types of preferred admixtures and dosage, beneficial and adverse effects of admixtures, impacts on cost and judicious use of admixtures are included in the survey. A number of statistical analyses are carried out using SPSS on data obtained. According to results, chemical admixtures are used over 70% of the total annual concrete production. The initial expectation of the participants in the use of the admixtures is to improve the properties of the fresh concrete. Additionally, the most preferred admixtures are plasticizers. The ensuing types of admixtures are agents affecting the setting time of concrete. Although the participants' interest to using chemical admixtures is very remarkable, the awareness on this subject is very deficient. The similar studies can be suggested to apply more comprehensively. Professionals, at any level in the construction sector, need to be informed about the accurate consumption of these agents in order to avoid inappropriate results.