Calcium chloride in concrete — applications and ambiguities

Many aspects of the action of calcium chloride in concrete are ambiguous, controversial, or incompletely understood. Examples include: (a) the restrictive definition of calcium chloride as an accelerator; (b) the lack of clarity in prescribing the dosage for practical applications; (c) the classification of calcium chloride as an antifreezing agent; (d) the misconception regarding corrosion of reinforcement in the presence of CaCl2; (e) the divergence of opinion on the mechanism of action; and (f) incomplete understanding of the changes in the intrinsic properties of cement containing calcium chloride. This paper attempts to deal with these aspects citing typical examples.