This paper aims to investigate the effect of use of sodium silicate in cold weather concreting. In order to illustrate such effect, a series of laboratory tests were conducted. Workability tests, compressive strength tests, flexural tests and split tensile strength tests were carried out on concrete specimens having different percentage of sodium silicate and the results thus obtained were compared with those of normal concrete. The results indicated that the Sodium silicate does not contribute to an increase in strength of concrete, rather it has reverse effects .However it does increase Compaction Factor, thereby enhancing workability of concrete.

1. http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 39 editor@iaeme.com
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 6, Issue 12, Dec 2015, pp. 39-47, Article ID: IJCIET_06_12_004
Available online at
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=6&IType=12
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF EFFECT OF
SODIUM SILICATE (NA2SIO3) ON
PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
Ifrah Habib Lone, Abdul Muneeb, Javid Ahmad, Syed Mohammad Jasim,
Mintazir Ali, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and Amir Hussain Malik
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kashmir, India
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to investigate the effect of use of sodium silicate in cold
weather concreting. In order to illustrate such effect, a series of laboratory
tests were conducted. Workability tests, compressive strength tests, flexural
tests and split tensile strength tests were carried out on concrete specimens
having different percentage of sodium silicate and the results thus obtained
were compared with those of normal concrete. The results indicated that the
Sodium silicate does not contribute to an increase in strength of concrete,
rather it has reverse effects .However it does increase Compaction Factor,
thereby enhancing workability of concrete.
Key words: Sodium Silicate, Workability, Compressive Strength, Flexural
Strength and Split Tensile Strength.
Cite this Article: Ifrah Habib Lone, Abdul Muneeb, Javid Ahmad, Syed
Mohammad Jasim, Mintazir Ali, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and Amir Hussain
Malik, Experimental Study of Effect of Sodium Silicate (Na2sio3) on
Properties of Concrete. International Journal of Civil Engineering and
Technology, 6(12), 2015, pp. 39-47.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=6&IType=12
1. INTRODUCTION
IS 7861 part II defines Cold Weather Concreting as Any operation of concreting done
at about 5°C atmospheric temperature or below.
ACI 306 “Cold Weather Concreting” defines cold weather concreting as a period
when for more than three (3) consecutive days, the following conditions exist:
 The average daily air temperature is less than 5°C (40°F) and,
 The air temperature is not greater than 10°C (50°F) for more than one-half of any 24
hour
Winter has some peculiarities that affect construction in general and concreting in
particular. Its duration is different in different parts of globe, but cold weather with
white frosts may also happen in spring and autumn not just in winter only. In India

2. Ifrah Habib Lone, Abdul Muneeb, Javid Ahmad, Syed Mohammad Jasim, Mintazir Ali,
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and Amir Hussain Malik
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 40 editor@iaeme.com
certain regions experience sub-zero temperatures in winter. Concrete structures in
such regions undergo cycles of freezing and thawing and their durability is affected
due to frost action. Fresh concrete contains considerable quantity of fresh water which
gets converted into ice lenses at freezing temperature. The ice formation in fresh
concrete results in about 9% rise in volume and causes permanent damage to concrete
and structural integrity cannot be recovered even if the concrete is made to harden
later at high temperature. Even during hardening the concrete should be protected
from extremely low temperature hence while concreting in cold weather ensure that
the temperature of fresh concrete is maintained above 0 °C and temperature during
first six hours of casting should not be less than 5 °C.
Stopping the process of concreting in winter is uneconomical due to long
downtimes of equipment and workers. It is better to bear additional costs and trying to
minimize them as much as possible. Thus, in winters, especially in Kashmir where the
temperatures are below zero degree in winters some admixtures need to be added to
nullify the effects of cold temperature on the strength of concrete. Considering the
availability and cost of the admixture, Sodium silicate is used as an admixture in
Kashmir in winters.
2. MATERIALS USED
Cement
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 43 Grade (Safico cement) confining to IS: 4031[4]
has been used for this Work. The properties of the used cement are shown;
Aggregates
Fine aggregates used throughout the work comprised of clean river sand with
maximum size of 4.75mm conforming to zone III as per IS:383-1970 [5] Coarse
aggregates used consisted of machine crushed stone angular in shape passing through
20mm I S sieve and retained on 4.75mm I S sieve .
Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3):
Color- Lemon-Orange
Appearance-Clear bright Liquid
Relative Density (g/ml)-2.4 g/ml
3. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
Mix Used: Nominal mix M20 (1:1.5: 3) with water to cement ratio of 0.5.
In total four castings were done at the sodium silicate percentage of 1, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.2
First Casting Average Temp: 1.20
C
Percentage of sodium silicate by weight of cement = 1 %
Fineness
%
Standard
Consistency (%)
Initial Setting
Time
Final Setting
Time
Soundness
(mm)
Compressive
strength(N/mm2
)
2.28 26 1 hr. 16 min 6 hrs. 15 min 2 34.28

3. Experimental Study of Effect of Sodium Silicate (Na2sio3) on Properties of Concrete
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 41 editor@iaeme.com
Compressive Strength (σc)
Cube
size(mm)
7 Days Strength 28 Days Strength
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
P.C.C
C.C with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C with
Na2SiO3
150 12.89 12.22
13.11 12.33
24 22.44
23.11 21.28
150 13.33 12.44 22.22 21.33
Split Tensile Strength (σt) and Flexural Strength (σb)
Type of concrete (σt) (N/mm2
) (σb) (N/mm2
) Slump Compaction factor
PCC 2.1 2.2 12 mm 0.71
CC with sodium silicate 1.96 2 15 mm 0.80
Second Casting Average Temp: 1.60
C
Percentage of sodium silicate by weight of cement = 1.4 %
Compressive Strength (σc)
Cube
size(mm)
7 Days Strength 28 Days Strength
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
P.C.C
C.C with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C with
Na2SiO3
150 9.77 8.44
11.10 8.66
21.33 18.44
21.99 18.06
150 12.44 8.88 22.66 17.68
Split Tensile Strength (σt) and Flexural Strength (σb)
Type of concrete
Split tensile
strength (N/mm2
)
Flexural strength
(N/mm2
)
Slump
Compaction
factor
PCC 1.68 2.2 11.5 mm 0.73
CC with sodium
silicate
1.26 1.8 20 mm 0.84
Third Casting Average Temp: 1.20
C
Percentage of sodium silicate by weight of cement = 1.8 %
Compressive Strength (σc)
Cube
size(mm)
7 Days Strength 28 Days Strength
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
150 11.11 6.66
11.99 6.54
21.77 16.88
22.00 17.79
150 12.88 6.44 22.31 17.77

4. Ifrah Habib Lone, Abdul Muneeb, Javid Ahmad, Syed Mohammad Jasim, Mintazir Ali,
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and Amir Hussain Malik
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 42 editor@iaeme.com
Split Tensile Strength (σt) and Flexural Strength (σb)
Type of concrete σt (N/mm2
) σb (N/mm2
) Slump Compaction factor
PCC 1.4 2.2 13 mm 0.75
CC with sodium silicate 0.56 1.6 20 mm 0.85
Fourth Casting Average Temp:-10
C
Percentage of sodium silicate by weight of cement = 2.2 %
Compressive Strength (σc)
Cube
size(mm)
7 Days Strength 28 Days Strength
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength (N/mm2
)
Average Strength
(N/mm2
)
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
P.C.C
C.C
with
Na2SiO3
150 10.22 8.22
9.99 7.66
22.22 20.00
22.17 20.88
150 9.77 7.11 22.13 21.77
Split Tensile Strength (σt) and Flexural Strength (σb)
Type of concrete σt (N/mm2
) σb (N/mm2
) Slump Compaction factor
PCC 1.4 2.8 12.5 mm 0.72
CC with sodium silicate 0.88 2.2 22 mm 0.87
4. DISCUSSION
In order to study the rate of variation of strength with respect to the Sodium Silicate
percentage, a comparative study of the test results achieved at different Sodium
Silicate percentage is performed.
Following Variations are studied
Variation of decrease in 7 day strength with Sodium Silicate %
Variation of decrease in 28 day strength with Sodium Silicate %
Variation of split and flexural tensile strength with Sodium Silicate %
Comparison of Avg. ↑ in 7 and 28 day strength for 150mm cube
Variation of compaction factor on adding Sodium Silicate.
7 Days Compressive Strength (σc)
Cube
Plain (casting I) Plain (casting II) Plain (casting III) Plain (casting IV)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
150 12.89
13.11
9.77
11.10
11.11
11.99
10.22
9.99
150 13.33 12.44 12.88 9.77

5. Experimental Study of Effect of Sodium Silicate (Na2sio3) on Properties of Concrete
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 43 editor@iaeme.com
Cube
Admixture 1%
(casting I)
Admixture 1.4%
(casting II)
Admixture 1.8%
(casting III)
Admixture 2.2%
(casting IV)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
150 12.22
12.33
8.44
8.66
6.66
6.55
8.22
7.66
150 12.44 8.88 6.44 7.11
28 Days Compressive Strength (σc)
Cube
Plain (casting I) Plain (casting II) Plain (casting III) Plain (casting IV)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
150 24.00
23.11
21.33
21.99
20.88
22.00
22.23
22.19
150 22.22 22.66 22.31 22.13
Cube
Admixture 1%
(casting I)
Admixture 1.4%
(casting II)
Admixture 1.8%
(casting III)
Admixture 2.2%
(casting IV)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Strength
(N/mm2
)
Avg.
Strength
(N/mm2
)
150 22.44
21.88
18.44
18.06
16.88
17.79
20.00
20.88
150 21.33 17.68 17.77 21.77
Average decrease in 7 days and 28days strength (%age)
Percentage of sodium silicate
Average % decrease in 7
days strength
Average %decrease in
28 days strength
1 -5.9 -5.32
1.4 -21.98 -17.87
1.8 -45.37 -19.13
2.2 -23.32 -5.9
Average decrease in Split tensile strength (σt) and Flexural strength (σb)
Percentage of
sodium silicate
Average percentage
decrease in Split
tensile strength
Average percentage decrease in Flexural
strength
1 -14 -9.09
1.4 -25 -18.18
1.8 -60 -27.27
2.2 -37.14 -21.42

6. Ifrah Habib Lone, Abdul Muneeb, Javid Ahmad, Syed Mohammad Jasim, Mintazir Ali,
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and Amir Hussain Malik
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 44 editor@iaeme.com
GRAPH 1
GRAPH 2
GRAPH 3
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
%agedecrease
instrength
%age of admixture
Average decrease in 7 day compressive strength
-70
-50
-30
-10
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
%agedecreaseinstrength
%age of admixture
Average decrease in split tensile strength
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
%agedecreaseinstrength
%age of admixture
Average decrease in flexural strength

7. Experimental Study of Effect of Sodium Silicate (Na2sio3) on Properties of Concrete
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 45 editor@iaeme.com
GRAPH 4
The results graphs and tables represent the comparative study:
From the study of GA it is clear that the by adding Sodium both 7 and 28 day
strength for 150 mm cube decreases and reach their minimum at the sodium silicate
percentage of 1.25%,the decrease in 7day strength is 214% more than increase in 28
day strength.
0.79
0.8
0.81
0.82
0.83
0.84
0.85
0.86
0.87
0.88
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
%ageincreaseincompactionfactor
%age of admixture
Variation of CF with %age of sodium silicate
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
%agedecreaseinstrength
%age of admixture
GA:Comaprison between Average decrease
in 7 and 28 day compressive strength
7-day strength
28-day strength

8. Ifrah Habib Lone, Abdul Muneeb, Javid Ahmad, Syed Mohammad Jasim, Mintazir Ali,
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and Amir Hussain Malik
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 46 editor@iaeme.com
G6 shows that the compaction factor always increases when compared with the plain
concrete, thus workability increases by the addition of sodium silicate.
5. CONCLUSION
After analyzing the test results following important conclusions are drawn:
 Sodium silicate does not contribute to an increase in strength of concrete, rather it has
reverse effects. The results indicated that while a hastened stiffening of the paste
resulted from the admixture of sodium silicate no gain in the 1-day strength was
obtained and the loss in strength at later ages was so great that it is only under
exceptional conditions that the use of sodium silicate is advisable.
 Both 7 and 28 day strength for 150 mm cube decreases and reach their minimum at
the sodium silicate percentage of 1.25%, the decrease in 7day strength is 214% more
than increase in 28 day strength.
 However it does increase Compaction Factor, thereby enhancing workability of
concrete
REFERENCES
[1] M.S. Shetty, Concrete Technology, Chapters 1- 8,page nos. 1 – 330,
[2] IS 9103: 1999, Admixtures: definition, Page nos (23, 24).
[3] IS 456 : 2000, strength of concrete: tests, compressive strength .pages (2-7)
[4] Abbas S. Al-Ameeri, K.A.Al- Hussain and M.S Essa, “Constructing a
Mathematical Models to Predict Compressive Strength of Concrete from Non-
Destructive Testing”, International Journal of Civil Engineering & Technology
(IJCIET), Volume 4, Issue 4, 2013, pp. 1 - 20, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6308, ISSN
Online: 0976 – 6316.
[5] Alaa Abdul Kareem Ahmad, “The Effect of Gypsum Compensative on Mortar
Compressive Strength”, International Journal of Civil Engineering & Technology
(IJCIET), Volume 4, Issue 3, 2013, pp. 168 - 175, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6308, ISSN
Online: 0976 – 6316.
[6] P.J.Patel, Mukesh A. Patel and Dr. H.S. Patel, “Effect of Coarse Aggregate
Characteristics on Strength Properties of High Performance Concrete using
Mineral and Chemical Admixtures”, International Journal of Civil Engineering &
Technology (IJCIET), Volume 4, Issue 2, 2013, pp. 89 - 95, ISSN Print: 0976 –
6308, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6316.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1st casting 2nd casting 3rd casting 4th casting
GB:Variation of CF with plain concrete and
concrete with admixture
CF of plain concrete Cf of concrete with admixture

9. Experimental Study of Effect of Sodium Silicate (Na2sio3) on Properties of Concrete
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 47 editor@iaeme.com
[7] Dr. Shanthappa B. C, Dr. Prahallada. M. C. and Dr. Prakash. K. B., “Effect of
Addition of Combination of Admixtures on the Properties of Self Compacting
Concrete Subjected to Alternate Wetting and Drying”, International Journal of
Civil Engineering & Technology (IJCIET), Volume 2, Issue 1, 2011, pp. 17 - 24,
ISSN Print: 0976 – 6308, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6316.
[8] M. VijayaSekhar Reddy, Dr .I.V. Ramana Reddy and N. Krishna Murthy,
“Experimental Evaluation of the Durability Properties of High Performance
Concrete using Admixtures”, International Journal of Advanced Research in
Engineering & Technology (IJARET), Volume 4, Issue 1, 2013, pp. 96 - 104,
ISSN Print: 0976-6480, ISSN Online: 0976-6499.
[9] Vinod P, Lalumangal and Jeenu G, “Durability Studies on High Strength High
Performance Concrete”, International Journal of Civil Engineering & Technology
(IJCIET), Volume 4, Issue 1, 2013, pp. 16 - 25, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6308, ISSN
Online: 0976 – 6316.
[10] Ali S. Faris, Riadh Al-Mahaidi and Awad Jadooe, Implementation of Magnetized
Water To Improve The Properties of Concrete, International Journal of Civil
Engineering & Technology (IJCIET), Volume 5, Issue 10, 2014, pp. 43-57, ISSN
Print: 0976 – 6308, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6316