Glossary of Terms

The moisture held in a material and having physical properties not substantially different from those of ordinary water at the same temperature and pressure.

Water held on surfaces of a material by physical and chemical forces, and having physical properties substantially different from those of absorbed water or chemically combined water at the same temperature and pressure.

The amount of water absorbed under specific conditions, usually expressed as a percentage of the dry weight of the material; the process by which the water is absorbed.

Increase in rate of hardening or strength development of concrete.

An admixture which, when added to concrete, mortar, or grout, increases the rate of hydration of hydraulic cement, shortens the time of set, or increases the rate of hardening or strength development

A material other than water, aggregates, and portland cement (including air-entraining portland cement, and portland blast furnace slag cement) that is used as an ingredient of concrete and is added to the batch before and during the mixing operation.

A material other than water, aggregates, and portland cement (including air-entraining portland cement, and portland blast furnace slag cement) that is used as an ingredient of concrete and is added to the batch before and during the mixing operation.

The process of intermixing two or more aggregates to produce a different set of properties, generally, but not exclusively, to improve grading.

The distribution of particles of granular material among various sizes, usually expressed in terms of cumulative percentages larger or smaller than each of a series of sizes (sieve openings) or the percentages between certain ranges of sizes (sieve openings).

The process of providing gentle motion in mixed concrete just sufficient to prevent segregation or loss of plasticity.

The amount of air in mortar or concrete, exclusive of pore space in the aggregate particles, usually expressed as a percentage of total volume of mortar or concrete.

A space in cement paste, mortar, or concrete filled with air; an entrapped air void is characteristically 1 mm (0.04 in.) or more in size and irregular in shape; an entrained air void is typically between 10μm and 1 mm (34 ft and .04 in.) in diameter and spherical (or nearly so).

The capabilities of a material or process to develop a system of minute bubbles of air in cement paste, mortar, or concrete during mixing.

An addition for hydraulic cement or an admixture for concrete or mortar which causes air, usually in small quantity, to be incorporated in the form of minute bubbles in the concrete or mortar during mixing, usually to increase its workability and frost resistance.

A cement that has an air-entraining agenda added during the grinding phase of manufacturing.

The inclusion of air in the form of minute bubbles during the mixing of concrete or mortar.

Chemical reaction in mortar or concrete between alkalis (sodium and potassium) released from portland cement or from other sources, and certain compounds present in the aggregates; under certain conditions, harmful expansion of the concrete or mortar may be produced.

The reaction between the alkalies (sodium and potassium) in portland cement binder and certain carbonate rocks, particularly calcite dolomite and dolomitic limestones, present in some aggregates; the products of the reaction may cause abnormal expansion and cracking of concrete in service.

The reaction between the alkalies (sodium and potassium) in portland cement binder and certain siliceous rocks or minerals, such as opaline chert, strained quartz, and acisic volcanic glass, present in some aggregates; the products of the reaction may cause abnormal expansion and cracking of concrete in service.

A brown to black bituminous substance that is chiefly obtained as a residue of petroleum refining and that consists mostly of hydrocarbons.