Properties of concrete with a new type of saponin air-entraining agent

In the present paper, a new type of air-entraining agent (trademark SJ-2) is introduced, its main chemical component being triterpenoid saponin. Many properties of fresh and hardened concrete with SJ-2, such as workability, bleeding, air-bubble system, stability of air bubbles, strength loss, frost/salt-scaling resistance, etc., are measured. Some of them are compared with those of concrete with Vinsol resin and abietic soap (AS). Results show that SJ-2 is an air-entraining agent with high quality, and most of the properties of concrete with SJ-2 are not lower than those of concrete with Vinsol; at the same conditions, the flexural strength loss of concrete with SJ-2 is remarkably lower than its compressive strength loss. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.