Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is one of the more frustrating durability problems in concrete because it can take years to show up and even longer to fully understand once it does. Silica fume mitigates ASR by consuming calcium hydroxide through the pozzolanic reaction, binding alkalis into stable hydration products, and refining the pore structure so moisture […]

Typical silica fume dosage ranges from 5–10% of cementitious material by weight for standard high-performance and durability mixes, climbs to 7–10% for bridge decks and marine structures, and can reach 20% or more for ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) — always paired with a high-range water reducer to manage the added water demand. Getting the dosage right

The chemistry of silica fume doesn’t change between forms — but how it handles at your plant absolutely does. Densified silica fume is compacted to roughly 500–700 kg/m³ for easier storage and conveying, while undensified silica fume stays a fluffy, low-density powder in the 130–430 kg/m³ range. Picking the wrong one for your equipment can

Rebound is the quiet cost center of every shotcrete operation. Material that bounces off the receiving surface is paid for twice — once at purchase, once at cleanup and disposal — and it never contributes structural value. Conventional shotcrete mixes can lose a substantial fraction of material to rebound, particularly on overhead and vertical work.