ABSTRACT
Usually the action and utilization of admixtures is treated in books related to concrete rather than in books dealing with Portland cement and hydraulic binders. This is unfortunate because the action of admixtures is most often intimately linked to that of Portland cement, hydraulic binders and their hydration. Moreover, under the action of some admixtures, the hydration reaction can be altered significantly. Of course, there are some admixtures that have only a ‘physical’ action on concrete or a chemical action that has nothing to do with the hydration of Portland cement and hydraulic binders, but they are not too numerous.
