IA? U) 3 4- -'W./
IO• ~- 7 -of•
_ \...IE-CProperty of the United States Governm
MISCELLANEOUS PAPER C-78-9
INVESTIGATION OF METHODS FOR EXTRACTION, DETECTION, AND
IDENTIFICATION OF WATER-SOLUBLE ADMIXTURES IN CONCRETE
by
Dennis L. Bean, Tony B. l-lusbands
Concrete Laboratory U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment: Station
P. 0. Box 631, Vicksburg, Miss. 39180
August: 1978 Final Report:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Unlimited
Prepared for Assistant: Secretary of the Army (R&-0) Department: of the Army, Washington D. C. 20310
Under Project: 4A06 I I 0 I A 91 D
DBRA BRAN TECHNICAL INFORMATION CfNTrn
'LHA V ~Nl:?lf\jf:E 1c.n ' ,R WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION
<:::R I r: I ID , __ _
Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE (Wh..n Dsts Entorod)
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMPLETING FORM
1. REPORT NUMBER r GOVT ACCESSION NO. 3. RECIPIENT'S CATALOG NUMBER
Miscellaneous Paper C-78-9 4. TITLE (and Subtltl•) 5. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED
INVESTIGATION OF METHODS FOR EXTRACTION, Final report DETECTION, AND IDENTIFICATION OF WATER-SOLUBLE ,___
5. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER ADMIXTURES IN CONCRETE
7. AUTHOR(•) a. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(•)
Dennis L. Bean Tony B. Husbands 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK
u. s. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS
Concrete Laboratory Project No. 4AOGll01A91D P. 0. Box 631, Vicksburg, Miss. 39180
11. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS 12. REPORT DATE
Assistant Secretary of the Army (R&D) August 1978 Department of the Army 13. NUMBER OF PAGES
Washington, D. c. 20310 27 14. MONITORING AGENCY NAME & ADDRESS(lf dlliorcnt from Controlling Olflco) 15. SECURITY CLASS. (ol thla report)
Unclassified 1s ... DECL ASSI Fl CATI ON/DOWNGRADING
SCHEDULE
16. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of th/a Report)
Approved for public release.; distribution unlimited.
17. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of the •b•tract ontorod In Block 20, If dlllorenl from Roport)
I
18. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
19. KEY WORDS (Contlnue on reverse •id• ii nec•s•ary B:11d Identify by block number)
Adm~ ;:turr,:.; Conc~ete 'lrlrni xtures
2Q. ABSTRACT (Continue ~ rev1'1ri9e eltl• f.t n~•«ty IJltJd lden..tlty by block number)
Methods [or detecting, identifying, and quantitatively measuring carbo-hydrates and salts o[ hydroxyl.:1ted carboxylic-acid admixtures in concrete were investigated. Two published methods for c!Ptecting sugar and an unpublished method for detecting both sugar and sodium gluconate were evaluated. Other methods investigated included: thin-layer chromatography, inf rared spectros-copy, and high-pressure liquid chromatography.
(Continued)
DD FORM I JAN 7l 1473 EDITION OF I NOV 55 IS OBSOLETE
Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATI0"1 OF THIS PAGE (lf'lten Data Entered)
Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE(When D•ta Entered)
20. ABSTRACT (Continued). Sugar could be detected in cement mortar at an early age using both of the
two published methods and the unpublished method. Approximately quantitative measurement of sugar could be made by the unpublished method and a UV spectrophotometer. Quantitative measurements with age indicated that sugar was being converted to another compound. Because of this conversion, sugar could not be detected by the UV method in 7-day-old mortar specimens containing 0.05 percent sugar.
An infrared spectroscopic method for identifying and quantifying salts of carboxylic acids in concrete was investigated and was found to be unsatisfactory because of interference from water-soluble constituents in the cement paste. Six organic solvents were investigated for extracting salts of carboxylic acids from concrete, and none of the solvents were found suitable.
Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) methods were found not to be sufficiently sensitive to detect the small amounts of carbohydrates present in concrete. Salts of carboxylic acids could not be separated using TLC, by the methods tried. A combination TLC and fluorometric method for quantifying carbohydrates was investigated. This method showed some promise but could not be fully evaluated because of the lack of a scanning fluorometer.
A high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for separating and identifying the admixtures was investigated. The admixtures could not be detected because of interference and the low concentration of the admixtures in concrete. HPLC shows promise as a method and warrants further investigation.
Unclassified SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE(When Dale Entered)
THE CONTENTS OF THIS REPORT ARE NOT TO BE
USED FOR ADVERTISING, PUBLICATION, OR
PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES. CITATION OF TRADE
NAMES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFICIAL EN
DORSEMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE USE OF SUCH
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS.
1
SUMMARY
Methods for'detecting, identifying, and quantitatively measuring
carbohydrates and salts of hydroxylated carboxylic-acid admixtures in
concrete were investigated. Two published test methods for detecting
sugar and an unpublished method for detecting both sugar and sodium
gluconate were evaluated. Other methods investigated included: thin
layer chromatography (TLC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and high-pressure
liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Sugar could be detected in concrete by the two published methods
and by the unpublished method. Sodium gluconate could also be detected
in concrete by the unpublished method. Approximate quantitative measure
ments of sugar can be made by the unpublished method using a UV spectro
photometer. Mortar specimens containing 0.05 percent sugar were analyzed
by the unpublished method. Test results indicated that sugar content
decreased with increasing age, and sugar could not be detected after
7 days. Sugar in concrete is either being converted to another compound
or broken down into other compounds by the reaction with the cement paste.
The IR methoq for identification and quantitative measurements of
salts of carboxylic acids in concrete was found to be unsatisfactory.
Mortar specimens containing known amounts of sodium gluconate were
extracted with hot water and the extract was analyzed by IR. The hot-water
extract contained high amounts of dissolved constituents from the cement
paste, and these dissolved constituents inter£ered with the IR analysis.
In order to eliminate this interference, different organic solvents were
investigated for extracting the admixture from concrete. None of the
solvents were found to be suitable.
Several TLC methods for separating and identifying carbohydrates
and salts of carboxylic acids were investigated. Sugars in water could
be separated and identified by one of the TLC methods investigated, but
the method was not sufficiently sensitive to detect the amount of carbo
hydrates normally found in concrete. Salts of carboxylic acids could
not be separated using the TLC methods. A combination TLC and fluoro
metric method for quantifying carbohydrates was investigated. This
2
method showed some promise, but could not be fully evaluated because of
the lack of a scanning fluorometer.
HPLC was investigated for separating and identifying the admix
tures in concrete. The HPLC method was not successful because of inter
ference from the dissolved cement-paste constituents, and the detection
limit using the refractive index detector was not as low as desired.
HPLC shows promise as a method for separating and identifying these
admixtures and warrants further investigation.
3
PREFACE
The study reported herein was funded by Department of the Army Proj
ect 4A061101A91D, "In-House Laboratory Independent Research Program,"
Item AR, sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (R&D). The
study was conducted during the period October 1974 through September 1977
at the U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) Concrete
Laboratory under the supervision of Mr. Bryant Mather, Chief, and
Mr. Leonard Pepper and Mrs. Katharine Mather.
Commanders and Directors of the WES during the conduct of this
study and preparation of this report were COL G. H. Hilt, CE, and
COL J. L. Cannon, CE. Mr. F. R. Brown was Technical Director.
4
SUMMARY •
PREFACE
PART I:
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION •
PART II: PUBLISHED TEST METHODS AND TEST RESULTS
Published Test Methods ... Test Results
PART III: OTHER TEST METHODS INVESTIC-ATED AND TEST RESULTS
Infrared Spectroscopy . . . . . . . • Thin-Layer Chromatography . . . . . High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography
PART IV: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .•
Conclusion Recommendations .
REFERENCES. . .
TABLES 1 and 2
FIGURES 1-9
5
Page
2
4
6
7
7 8
10
lO 11 13
15
15 16
17
INVESTIGATION OF METHODS FOR EXTRACTION, DETECTION, AND
IDENTIFICATION OF WATER-SOLUBLE ADMIXTURES IN CONCRETE
PART I: INTRODUCTION
1. Admixtures are frequently added to concrete mixtures to improve
the properties of the concrete. Addition of incorrect amounts of an ad
mixture can have deleterious effects on the properties of the unhardened
and hardened concrete. Whenever the anticipated concrete properties are
not obtained in a structure and admixtures have been incorporated into
the mixture, it is helpful to have methods to detect, identify, and mea
sure the quantity of admixture incorporated in the hardened concrete.
Unfortunately, such methods have not been published for admixtures which
are essentially carbohydrates or salts of hydroxylated carboxylic acids.
There are published methods1 ' 2 available for detecting carbohydrates
such as sugar and corn syrup; however, these methods cannot be used to
identify or measure the ,quantity present.
2. This investigation attempted to find ways of removing carbohy
drates and salts of carboxylic-acid admixtures from concrete and to develop
methods to detect, identify, and measure the quantity of the admixture
present in the concrete. Certain carbohydrates are believed to be con
~rLed _to _uther compounds upon bein_g incor~orated into the concrete;
therefore, the conversion or binding of these carbohydrates to other
compounds was investigated.
3. Portland-cement mortar containing known amounts of admixtures
classified as carbohydrates and salts of carboxylic acid were made and
cured to various ages. At the desired ages the mortar was pulverized
and the admixtures extracted with water and other solvents. Detection
of the admixtures in the extract was sought using TLC, IR, UV, and HPLC.
6
PART II: PUBLISHED TEST METHODS AND TEST RESULTS
Published Test Methods
4. Published methods for detecting carbohydrates and salts of
carboxylic acids in concrete were reviewed. Only two methods for 2 detecting sugar in concrete were found: a method by Figg and Bowden ,
and method CRD-C 213-48 found in the Handbook for Concrete and Cement. 1
Both methods are qualitative and not quantitative. No published methods
for detecting salts of carboxylic acids were found.
5. The Figg and Bowden method consists of extracting the sugar
with water and neutralizing the extract by bubbling carbon dioxide
through the water until the lime is carbonated. Acid is then added to
invert the sucrose, then neutralized with sodium hydroxide. Fehling's
solution is then added and the solution brought to a boil. If sugar is
present, the blue color will be discharged and cuprous oxide precipitated.
6. Test method CRD-C 213-48 consists of extracting the sugar with
water. The extract is then filtered into a test tube and alpha-naphthol
added. Sulfuric acid is then poured into the test tube, and if sugar is
present, a bright violet ring will form at the plane of separation of the
two solutions.
7. Another method for detecting sugar and sodium gluconate in con
crete was obtained from the Portland Cement Association (PCA). 3 This
method has not been published. The method is similar to the method found
in CRD-C 213-48, in that alpha-naphthol is used to develop the color
change. The method consists of extracting the sugar and sodium gluconate
from the concrete with boiling water. An aliquot of the extract is then
added to cold sulfuric acid. The mixture of sulfuric acid and the extract
is then heated in boiling water in a test tube. The mixture is allowed
to cool, and a 2 percent alcoholic alpha-napthol solution added. If
sugar is present, the solution will turn a deep purple immediately. If
sodium gluconate or potassium gluconate is present, the solution will
slowly turn to a wine red.
7
8. Interference from the presence of other organic compounds was
not investigated for these test methods. These methods would only be
good to detect whether certain carbohydrates were present. Better test
methods for confirming the admixture and making quantitative measurements
are needed. Figg and Bowden reported that their procedure could be made
quantitative, and personnel from PCA also said that approximate concen
trations of sucrose and sodium gluconate could be determined by measuring
the intensity of the color change using a UV spectrophotometer.
Test Results
.. 9. To evaluate the published test methods and other test methods
investigated by the laboratory, 2-in. mortar cubes containing different
admixtures were molded using the mortar proportion from CRD-C 302-68. 1
The admixtures sugar, corn syrup, sodium gluconate, and Plastiment were
each added to the mixing water before mixing one batch of mortar. The
amount of each admixture added to the mortar was 0.2 percent by weight
of cement or 0.05 percent by weight of mortar. The mortar cubes were
stripped from the molds after 24-hr curing in the moist cabinet and
wrapped with Parafilm brand flexible wax film to prevent moisture loss.
At different ages the mortar cubes were gr.ound to pass a 150-µm (No. 100)
sieve. Portions of the ground mortar were then used to evaluate different
extraction techniques and test methods.
10. Two-day-old mortar cubes containing sugar and Plastiment were
used to evaluate the three test methods described. All three test methods
showed a positive test for sugar by the appropriate color change. The
test method furnished by PCA also showed a positive test for Plastiment.
The method furnished by PCA was chosen for further investigation because
of the following reasons:
a. The color change was more intense than in the other test methods.
b. The method can be used to detect Plastiment.
c. Quantitative measurement is possible using UV.
8
11. The procedure was then evaluated to determine whether quantita
tive measurement of sugar could be made using the UV spectrophotometer.
Standards containing 5, 10, 20, and 50 µg/m£ of sugar were prepared in
distilled water. A standard curve for sugar was determined following
the test method, and the absorbance was read at 322 nm. The calibration
was not very linear (Figure 1), but absorbance did increase with higher
concentrations indicating that approximate concentrations could be deter
mined.
12. Quantitative measurements of sugar in mortar were made using
the test method. A mortar specimen 2 days old containing 0.05 percent
sugar by weight of mortar was analyzed. Three portions of the ground mor
tar, i.e. 10, 20, and 30 g, were extracted individually with 40 mi of ~water.
The extracts were then diluted to 100 mi before being analyzed. Absorbance
readings were made for each sample, and the results are shown in Table 1.
The percentages of sugar found in the samples were 48, 32, and 32 percent,
respectively, of the amount added. Test results indicate that the sugar
is converted to another compound.
13. A mortar specimen 4 days old made from the same mixture was
analyzed using the same weights. The test results are shown in Table 2.
The percentage of sugar found in the samples was less than 10 percent of
the amount added. These test results also indicated that sugar was being
converted to another compound. To verify this, a mortar specimen 7 days
old made fro111 the same- mixture- was- analyzed. Only- 20- and 30-g- portions
of the mortar were analyzed. No sugar was detected in either sample,
indicating that the sugar had been converted to another compound after
7 days.
9
PART III: OTHER TEST METHODS INVESTIGATED AND TEST RESULTS
14. The published test methods reviewed are only useful for de
tecting sugar, and the interference from other organic compounds has not
been investigated. Test results have also shown that sugar was con
verted to another compound when placed in concrete. Better methods
are needed for detecting, confirming, and measuring the amounts of
sugar present, of carbohydrates, and of salts of carboxylic-acid
admixtures in concrete. Methods for detecting and measuring these
admixtures, including TLC, HPLC, and IR, were investigated. Gas chroma
tography (GC) was also considered as a method for detecting these ad
mixtures, but only a literature search of this method was made.
Infrared Spectroscopy
15. The detection and quantitative measurement of salts of car
boxylic acids in concrete were investigated using an IR spectrophotometer.
Infrared spectra were obtained in the 2.5-16 µm region. Salts of car
boxylic acids can be identified by their carboxylate group (Coo-) which
has strong bonds between 6.lto 6.3 µm and 7.1 µm.
16. A standard containing 5 percent Plastiment in distilled water
was prepared to determine what 'concentrations of the admixture could be
·detected by IR. IR is not as sensitive as some other instruments for
detecting low concentrations of organic compounds. Low concentrations
of Plastiment (50 µg/m£) like that obtained in the water extract would
be difficult to detect using IR. Three potassium bromide (KBr) pellets
were made by injecting small aliquots of the standard 10, 20, and 30 µ£
on top of 0.40-g portions of dried KBr. The KBr containing the Plasti
ment was then dried at 105 C, mixed, and pressed into pellets. The
three KBr pellets contained 500, 1000, and 1500 µg of Plastiment. The
KBr pellets were analyzed by the IR spectrophotometer, and the IR spectra
are shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4.
17. The strongest band for the spectra was observed at 6.2 µm.
Another band was observed at 7.1 µm indicating the carboxylate group ~as
10
present. The absorption of the bond at 6.2 µm increased as the amount
of Plastiment increased, indicating that quantitative measurements could
be made. Absorption was converted to absorbance, and the absorbance
versus concentration is shown in Figure 5.
18. KBr pellets were prepared using a hot water extract from a
4-day-old mortar specimen containing Plastiment. Based on the detection
limit using the IR method, 5-ml and 10-ml aliquots of the extract were
added to 0.40 g of KBr and dried at 105 C overnight. The dried KBr was
then ground and pressed into pellets. The pellets were analyzed by IR,
and the IR spectra of the 5-ml extract is shown in Figure 6.
19. Plastiment in mortar could not be detected using thiA IR
method because of the low percentage transmission at the wavelengths for
identifying the carboxylate group. This low percentage transmission
resulted from the high amounts of dissolved constituents extracted from
the cement paste by the water. Results obtained indicated that the
admixture would have to be separated from the dissolved constituents, or
other solvents should be used to extract the Plastiment from the mortar.
20. Other solvents such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride,
ethyl alcohol, acetone, dioxane, and acetonitrile were investigated for
extracting Plastiment from the mortar. A mortar specimen containing
Plastiment was ground, and 10-g portions were boiled in 100 mi of the
above-mentioned solvents. The solvent was removed by filtration and 10-mi
aliquots of each extract were placed on 0.40-g portions of KBr. The KBr
and extract were then dried overnight at 105 C and pellets made. The KBr
pellets were analyzed by IR, and the IR spectra obtained indicated that
Plastirnent was not being extracted with these solvents.
Thin-Layer Chromatography
21. TLC has been used to detect and quantitatively determine
certain carbohydrates including sugar and carboxylic acids in liquid 4 media. Segura and Gotto reported that they could detect as little as
0.1 µg of sugar by using TLC and fluorometric procedures. Bemiller5
also reported the separation and analysis of different carbohydrates.
11
Some of these TLC methods were investigated to determine whether carbo
hydrates and salts of hydroxylated carboxylic-acid admixtures in concrete
could be detected~
22. Various TLC plates and solvents were investigated in order to
obtain good separation of sugar, corn syrup, and gluconates. Several
combinations of plates and solvents were used, and different detection
methods were tried, such as: sulfuric acid charring, iodine chamber,
Rhodamine B, 2' ,7' dichlorofluorescein, p-anisidine phthalate, tetra
cyanoethylene, and bromthymol blue.
23. One of the better systems investigated was a stationary phase
of silica gel with a mobile phase of 9:4 ratio acetone:methanol. The
sucrose had an Rf of about 0.8; gluconic-acid salt did not migrate, and
corn syrup showed several good spots caused by the different carbo-
hydrates in it. Sulfuric acid charring at 200 C was found to be the
best method for detecting the carbohydrates on the silica-gel plate.
spotting several different concentrations of sucrose on the silica-gel
plate, the lowest amount that could be detected was 20 µg.
24. A 2-day-old mortar specimen containing sugar was extracted
with water. The water extract was then concentrated tenfold by evap
oration on a steam bath. A silica-gel plate was spotted with 50 µi of
the extract and analyzed by the TLC procedure. There were no visible
evidences of sugar present. The same extract was tested by the alpha-
. --na-phthol--method and a-dark-viol-et ~--ol-or tl-evelopetl.
By
25. A more sensitive and quantitative TLC method by Segura and
Gotto4 was investigated. The thin-layer plates spotted with 10, 20, and
30 µg of sucrose were transferred to a sealed tank containing ammonium
hydrogen carbonate after the development with the solvent. The tank was
then placed inside an oven and heated to temperatures between 110 and
150 C for 2 hr. Fluorescent derivatives of the compound were formed,
and the fluorescent derivatives were measured on the plate using a
spectrofluorometer. A spectrofluorometer that could scan thin-layer
plates was not available; therefore, the sugar spots were removed from
the plates and placed into a liquid cell with methanol. The fluorescence
was then measured with a spectrofluorometer.
12
26. The standards, 10, 20, 30 µg, and a blank were measured, and
fluorescence units of 28, 31, 28, and 5, respectively, were obtained.
This method was not linear at the low ranges or accurate enough to be
considered for quantitative work. Acquiring or renting a scanning
spectrofluorometer which could scan thin-layer plates might be con
sidered for further investigation.
High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography
27. HPLC is a relatively new technique for separation, identifi
cation, and quantification of organic compounds. The possibilities of
HPLC as a method for detecting carbohydrates and salts of carboxylic
acid admixtures in concrete were investigated. A liquid chromatograph
(LC) was obtained near the completion of the study; hence, only a limited
amount of work was accomplished using HPLC methods.
28. The LC was equipped with a fixed-wavelength UV detector and a
refractive index detector. A µ Bondapak c18 column was used for sepa
ration, and distilled water buffered to a pH of 3 with phosphoric acid
was used as the mobile phase. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 0.5
m£/min. To establish whether the admixture could be detected and the
detection limit determined, standards of sucrose, Plastiment, and sodium
gluconate were prepared by dissolving the compounds in distilled water.
Mortar cubes containing the admixture were prepared as described in
paragraph 9. To determine whether the admixture could be detected in a
cementitious system, the mortar cubes were ground and a 10-g portion of
the ground mortar was extracted with boiling water. The extract was
neutralized by bubbling carbon dioxide gas through the extract until a
pH of 7 was obtained. Neutralization was required because alkaline
solutions will dissolve the siliceous column packing. The neutralized
extract was filtered through a 0.45-µm filter paper before being in
jected into the LC.
29. Various concentrations of the standards were injected to
establish the retention times and the detection limit. The retention
times for sucrose and Plastiment were around 3 min, as shown in
13
Figures 7 and 8. The detection limits using the refractive index detec
tor were approximately 50 µg/m£ for both compounds.
30. An extract from a mortar specimen containing Plastiment was
injected into the LC, operated using the same instrumental parameters as
for the standards. The peak area on the chromatogram was much greater
than expected since the extract only contained approximately 50 µg/ml
of Plastiment (Figure 9). This indicated an interference from other
dissolved constituents found in the extract.
31. The HPLC method investigated was found to be inadequate for
identifying carbohydrates and salts of carboxylic acids in concrete.
HPLC does show promise as a method for identifying water-soluble admix
tures in concrete. Many other instrumental parameters, different columns,
and other solvents as mobile phases could be investigated. Other HPLC
techniques such as gel permeation and trace enrichment might be useful
for this type of separation and identification.
14
PART IV: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
32. Different analytical methods for detecting, identifying,
and quantifying carbohydrates and salts of carboxylic acid admixtures
in concrete were investigated. Two published methods for detecting
sugar and an unpublished method for detecting both sugar and sodium
gluconate in concrete were investigated. Other methods investigated
included TLC, IR, and HPLC.
33. Sugar could be detected by both the published and unpublished
methods in young cement mortar. Sodium gluconate could also be detected
using the unpublished method. Quantitative measurements of sugar in
mortar were made using the unpublished method and by measuring color
intensity with a UV spectrophotometer. Mortar specimens containing a
known amount of sugar (0.05 percent) were analyzed using the unpublished
method and a UV spectrophotometer. The sugar content found in the
mortar decreased with increasing age and could not be detected after 7
days. These results indicate that the sugar had been converted to
another compound or compounds with age.
34. Most organic admixtures for concrete now being marketed can
be extracted from concrete and analyzed by IR methods; therefore, an IR
method was investigated for detecting salts or carooxyiii:: acius in
concrete. Standards were first analyzed, and the results indicated that
salts of carboxylic acids could be identified and quantified using IR.
Salts of carboxylic acids could not be detected in mortar specimens
using this IR method. The soluble constituents extracted from the
cement paste with the water interfered with the IR analysis. Since
interference was obtained from the water extract, six solvents were
evaluated for extracting the salts of carboxylic acid. None of the
solvents were found useful for extracting the admixture.
35. Several TLC methods were investigated for separating and
identifying the admixtures. One of the best TLC methods investigated
consisted of a stationary phase of silica gel with a mobile phase of
15
9:4 acetone:methanol, followed by charring with sulfuric acid. The
carbohydrates, sugar, and corn syrup could be separated and identified
using this method. This method was not sufficiently sensitive to detect
small amounts of carbohydrates present in concrete, and salts of car
boxylic acid could not be separated using this method. A combination
TLC and fluorometric method for quantitative analysis of carbohydrates
was also investigated. It showed some promise but further investigation
is needed, and a scanning fluorometer would be needed.
36. A limited amount of work using an HPLC was done. The method
investigated was not successful in separating or identifying the ad
mixtures in concrete. The detection limit using a refractive-index
detector was too high, and interference from the dissolved constituents
in the cement paste affected the results. HPLC shows promise as a
method and warrants further investigation.
Reconnnendations
37. Further investigation is needed if adequate methods for
identifying and measuring the amounts of carbohydrates and salts of
carboxylic-acid admixtures in concrete are to be developed. None of
the methods 'investigated during this st~dy would be considered satis
factory. The two published methods for detecting sugar will detect
-sug-ar in concrete, -but -interference from other organic compounds is not
known, and test results have shown that sugar is converted to another
compound with age.
16
REFERENCES
1. U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, CE, Handbook for Concrete and Cement, with quarterly supplements, Vicksburg, Miss., Aug 1949.
2. Figg, J. W., Bowden, S. R., "The Analysis of Concrete," Her Majesty's Sationery Office, London, England, 1971.
3. Personal communication, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.
4. Segura, R., Gotto, A. M., "A New Fluorometric Procedure for the Detection and Quantitation of Organic Compounds in Thin-Layer Chromatography," Journal of Chromatography, Vol 99, 1974, pp 643-657.
5. Bemiller, J. N., "Qualitative Thin-Layer Chromatography," Methods in Carbohydrate Chemistry, Vol 6, Whistler and Bemiller, Editor, 1972.
17
Sample Mass
g Absorbance
10 0.42 20 0.56 30 0.85
Sample Massl g Absorbance
10 0.04 20 0.04 30 0.21
Table 1
Test Results for Sugar
2-Day Old Mortar
Concentration Sugar Found µg/m£
23.5 31.5 48.2
Table 2
Test Results for Sugar
4-Day Old Mortar
%
0.024 0.016 0.016
Concentration, Sugar Found µg/m£ %
-Z.l 0.002 2.1 0.001
11. 7 0.004
Actual Sugar Added
%
0.05 0.05 0.05
Actual Sugar Added
%
0.05 0.05 0.05
1 -- ~--- -
t -- - •
t--- ----- --- . I
~ I i l
I -t I
+-.: . -j
I
I ' - -+----
I I
- -- -i - --L--
- - l
Figure 1. Absorbance versus concentration for sugar standard
IC 11 12 13 14 15 16
Figure 2. Infrared spectra 500 µg of Plastiment
W .. UEN:....1.v.fH:.I(. CM'
2 5 7 10 11 12 13 16
Figure 3. Infrared spectra 1000 µg of Plastiment
w J... VfN'J.v,Bn~.- c~
"ooc 3000 2500 iOOO 1500 l•OO 130') 1200 1100 !(·00 ->oo BOO 700 650 62.!li
.,L: +' 1 ',_' '-·=r--1--1v L -f.CTT;r·i·r--r-~i; •;:••!i''''l'T. 1w11..!:!~T'-~l+1E~1cpn1JE1~fT''l'~r_:-r:rr•l"'~LTTfT:-icc.f'3=~1F"1_Tl'Co~l
]_~~- - i ----=----+----~--==~ -~{~+:~-;<~f __ i __ -f--__ -_; ___ ~-~.---:--:~~J- __ J ~-~~-t-L ! ,fT c~"~J -- - --1---- - -~.=:- 1-•=·c-'. • .. · ···!· .-•..... ·· .'.' .... -...•. ; .... -.·-··1 ... -.. -!'-'.·-. ·.'-.•-.c.-f.-.. -=Le •. · ... --.! - I t==F±-- l - 4-
- - - - - -- • - - - - -I - t . 1 1 -
- --:-1
. ~ +'
~ 5C >---->---t----+
~ ~
E-1 .:c :---·--+--+-----1~-----+'
" ~ ~ 30 ~---+-- ---+·
f :·:· f-~-
2 5 '
7
VIAVEH.1~CTH 1N .Y.!( PONS
10 11
Figure 4. Infrared spectra 1500 µg of Plastiment
12 13 1• 15 16
·~.--c- -+----1- _ __:__ _i_ ___ . ---··--·i-! t
l. l· I . !_____.._ ____ J
Figure 5. Absorbance versus concentration for Plastiment standard
iOCO
l 3\J ~-
1-f-
1.., i~ I '
IC f---
~s
I
"..000 r : . 1 j ·r ; i-- : L - , - ____ j_ ~~---__._._-----
I -
- l
=--=--le
10 11
WAHLENGTH IN MICRONS
Figure 6. Infrared spectra of mortar extract
12 13 14 15 16
~ ~=-~ -...:::.;:_.:..:::_ -·· _ __:.:__:. =-:....:.:..:. - - --_-_-_- -=---: '-----_-_-- ----=-~--=-:: _ _,__ _ _,_ ___ -M'----_--_-_--_-_ ~- -=~·=-:-: =-:~: =-·-__ -__:_. ~-~----1,_--+----1--+---lll----+----I--- -- - -·· - _.:....:.:.. = ~-=:--i-----+---t--t--+----tl---+_-__ -__ -__ -~ :_-:---~----I-=:_:_4=:.:...:.
-#-_,,
--t-- ----~:i=
Figure 7. Chromatogram of Plastiment standard
---- -1--
-- 1--
--
--
- --
--
- -- ~-
-- ----~-i----+---~i--::.:==+===~F-f~==--:=i:-~=-=--=i::-====--__ ~
-~
-I- -- . - -----·- ---- ~--
----- --------4
----- ,_ ----4 - . ·{
-- ------- ~---
_ _,-
··· - -1'
- -- .ti.
-- = -- ---
-f---
-- --- --4'-~
--
--~-
-{'U -- __ ._._ ·f----
'------- -
-- -+-
-- ·-t---·-- ._....... ~--
-I---
-- -
-- -· -
- I---
Figure 8. Chromatogram of sucrose standard
6---
.-j .... ·- - r-
---m ---m --
--
ID r.J;J·T-·---t---t
n--:- - -'D
lf)
---·-
. >f •
"d' ---- --
--·- -
·--· -·-
--· ·-
--· -- ---·- -· >-
-1-----·
-- .. C-·
·->- r-.
---· >---
-· ---· -- --
--
----- - --
-~-
->-
r--
-
-r-------__ ,___ ----
-- r----
- --
·-
-·-·
Figure 9. Chromatogram of mortar extract
ln accordance with letter from DAEN-RDC, DAEN-ASI dated 22 July 1977, Subject: Facsimile Catalog Cards for Laboratory Technical Publications, a facsimile catalog card in Library of Congress MARC format is reproduced below.
Bean, Dennis L Investigation of methods for extraction, detection, and
identification of water-soluble admixtures in concrete / by Dennis L. Bean, Tony B. Husbands. Vicksburg, Miss. : U. S. Waterways Experiment Station ; Springfield, Va. : available from National Technical Information Service, 1978.
17, [10] p. : ill. ; 27 cm. (Miscellaneous paper - U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station ; C-78-9)
Prepared for Assistant Secretary of the Army (R&D), Department of the Army, Wasiiington, D; C. , under" I'roj eet 4AO& 11 CHA9llL
References: p. 17.
1. Admixtures. 2. Concrete admixtures. I. Husbands, Tony Brooks, joint author. II. United States. Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research and Development). III. Series: United States. Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss. Miscellaneous paper ; C-78-9. TA7.W34m no.C-78-9