Tips, insights, and news from the concrete technology market

In today’s conditions, civil protection has become a top priority. The construction of reliable shelters, radiation-protection facilities, and bomb shelters requires not only proper design but also the use of high-quality concrete capable of withstanding extreme conditions. That is why concrete admixtures are becoming a key element in the construction technology of such structures.

According to DBN V.2.2-5:2023 “Protective Structures of Civil Defense”, concrete for protective structures must meet the following requirements:

• Strength class – not lower than C20/25;
• Frost resistance – at least F150;
• Water impermeability – minimum W6-8;
• For areas with potential flooding — a monolithic structure with a solid foundation slab.

COMPLEX admixtures ensure effective achievement of the required concrete characteristics, combining components that optimize all key aspects of concreting protective structures, namely:

• COMPLEX K-17, K-18 – reduce the water-cement ratio, increase strength and density of concrete, and improve mix workability even in challenging conditions (dense reinforcement, complex geometry). In combination with COMPLEX K-1, they help achieve water impermeability up to W12.
• COMPLEX K-12 – increases frost resistance to F300.
• COMPLEX K-11 – adapts concrete to ambient temperatures, which is critically important for monolithic works in hot climates up to +45 °C.
• COMPLEX K-1 – protects concrete from moisture penetration, reduces capillary water absorption, and increases the durability of structures, which is especially important for construction in areas prone to flooding or with a high groundwater level.

We provide technical support and adjust concrete compositions for specific conditions, accompanying the implementation of the project from start to completion.
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Need to improve the workability and quality of your concrete mix without losing strength or adding excess water? Then COMPLEX-17 is exactly what you need!

A polymer-based superplasticizer that increases concrete mix workability from S1 to S5 without reducing grade strength, while also boosting early strength performance – up to 30% at 1 day.

The admixture has a wide temperature range of use (-3 °C to +30 °C):

• Protects your concrete in cold weather.
• Extends placing time during hot summer days.

Interested or want to learn more?
Our technical support service is at your disposal: +380504350441

COMPLEX-13 is used in the production technology of all types of vibropressed products and prevents wear of vibropress equipment, thereby extending its service life. These advantages allow you to achieve maximum economic efficiency in the production of vibropressed concrete.

The use of COMPLEX K-13 provides a number of key benefits:

• Reduced admixture consumption (0.2…0.3% of binder mass) compared to similar products on the market.
• High density (ρ = 2440 kg/m³ and above) and strength of the product (≥13% higher than comparable admixtures for vibropressed products), which ensures increased frost resistance and efflorescence resistance.
• Reduced friction coefficient between mold elements and the filling mixture, improving ease of placement into press molds, enhancing surface quality of products, and reducing production time of finished goods.

Plasticizer with workability-retention effect: extends the slump life of concrete mixes, depending on the cement type and manufacturer, up to 2 hours at ambient temperature up to +25 °C, while maintaining the designed strength parameters of concrete.

• Increases workability of the concrete mix from P1 to P5 without reducing design strength.
• Ensures up to 50% of concrete strength at 3 days, and up to +5% strength gain at 28 days, as defined by DSTU B.V.2.7-171:2008 (EN 934-2:2001, NEQ).
• Reduces effective cement consumption in 1 m³ of concrete mix by up to 13% compared to mixes without admixture (depending on cement grade, manufacturer, and aggregate quality).
• Enables concreting at ambient temperatures from +25 °C down to -5 °C, and down to -7 °C with preheated aggregates, with mandatory subsequent curing after placement.
• Increases concrete durability indicators: water impermeability up to W8 and frost resistance up to F250 when used in combination with COMPLEX K-1.

To extend the slump life of ready-mix concrete during long transportation and to ensure cost-effective production of all types of ready-mix concrete, we offer the COMPLEX K-11 admixture.

With COMPLEX K-11, you get:

• Extended slump retention P3…P5 up to 5 hours.
• High early-age and 28-day strength.
• Reduced cement consumption and lower production costs.

The admixture is dosed together with mixing water.

Dosage of COMPLEX K-11 per 100 kg of cement:

• 0.7…0.9 kg – at ambient temperatures +15…+30 °C.
• 0.9…1.5 kg – at ambient temperatures up to +45 °C.

This simplifies work with ready-mix concrete and improves curing processes.
Dosage may vary depending on the quality of available materials at the production site.

COMPLEX K-5 is a universal admixture – plasticizer and accelerator with antifreeze effect. It ensures accelerated hardening of the concrete mix without interruptions, even at sub-zero ambient temperatures.

The effective combination of active components in this product provides advantages for both:

• Reinforced concrete products and structures – faster demolding and early release strength;
• Ready-mix concrete – maintaining workability during long transportation and protecting concrete during hardening at negative temperatures.

Key performance figures:

• Increases concrete mix workability from P1 to P4.
• Increases concrete strength up to 10% at 1 day, and up to 5% at 28 days, as defined by DSTU B.V.2.7-171:2008 (EN 934-2:2001, NEQ).
• Enables concreting at temperatures down to -10 °C under direct freezing exposure, and down to -12 °C with preheated aggregates, with mandatory curing after placement.

Ready to start building? Call us – we’ll consult you and help select the optimal dosage of admixture for your specific situation and any construction conditions.

COMPLEX K-10 is a plasticizer with antifreeze effect that regulates the retention of cement mortar plasticity across a wide temperature range. Work with cement mortar is possible at ambient temperatures down to -10 °C, and with the use of hot water for preparation – down to -12 °C.

COMPLEX K-10 does not require additional dissolution measures and is used in concentrated form in the amount of 2.0…4.0% of cement mass (dry substance) depending on ambient temperature, while maintaining the same compressive strength indicators.

Dosage rates that truly impress:

With hot mixing water (+45…+60 °C)

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To extend the retention of initial workability of concrete and mortar mixes during long transportation (up to 4 hours) and for cost-efficient production of all types of concrete, we offer KOMPLEKS K-11.

A key distinction of this additive from other retarders is that, while ensuring prolonged workability (2–4 hours), it also provides dynamic setting kinetics of concrete, achieving high early-age and 28-day strength. This allows for significant cement savings and the production of low-cost concrete.

The KOMPLEKS K-11 additive can be introduced into concrete mixes either in liquid form together with mixing water or separately.

The dosage range is 0.5–2% of cement weight (by liquid), depending on ambient temperature, working conditions, and concrete composition.