Frequently Asked Questions
Does CLEVA CRETE conform to the Australian Building Code and Standards Australia requirements for an admixture?
The Australian Building Code requires that the construction sector needs to arrest the moisture problem in concrete flooring prior to laying all floor covering types. CLEVA CRETE does this impeccably.
The Australian Standard AS1478.1-2000 requires that an approved admixture does not adversely affect the MPa, setting times and shrinkage of concrete. CLEVA CRETE has officially shown to meet all such requirements.
As a testament to CLEVA CRETE’s outstanding technology and performance, DIT is utilizing CLEVA CRETE on most major projects and has recommended our MVRA technology for the NATSPEC.
Why do engineers specify CLEVA CRETE?
CLEVA CRETE creates an impermeable concrete that solves the moisture issues in flooring. It enables concreters to achieve a flat finish, increased MPa, less shrinkage, lower heat of hydration, controls ASR, slab curl and concrete dusting. These attributes provide project specific durability and longevity, factors that are important to most engineers who are embracing this global technology.
All forensic concrete engineers have very different views on what causes catastrophic failure yet, will agree that by reducing the permeability of concrete, slowing ingress of chlorides, sulphides, moisture and oxidised materials, you will lengthen the design life of any concrete structure. The higher the impermeability of the concrete, the greater the longevity.
CLEVA CRETE benefits in a nutshell.
- vapour and waterproofs concrete
- reduces plastic shrinkage cracking (PSC)
- stops slab curl
- densifies concrete
- lowers the heat of hydration
- increases MPa overtime
- controls concrete dust
- 25-year warranty to the flooring sector
- 10-year warranty for waterproofing applications
Does CLEVA CRETE densify concrete?
CLEVA CRETE 842 is one of the best densifiers available. As it creates masses of nano sized particles of a very pure amorphous style calcium silicate hydrate gel that goes very hard after about three months.
In recent taber-rotary-abrasion testing, after 28 days, CLEVA CRETE showed itself to be similar to control. However, after 90-120 days, CLEVA CRETE showed itself to be a lot harder and denser than control. Thereby proving that CLEVA CRETE 842 MVRA and WP are more effective at densifying concrete and increasing hardness than its competitors.
What is the difference between CLEVA CRETE and crystalline growth admixtures?
What is the difference between CLEVA CRETE and hydrophobic admixtures (eg. Caltite)?
Engineers know that hydrophobic type water-proofers like Caltite, work very well, but they also realise that their hydrophobicity causes additional problems in that it slows down or delays effective hydration of the cementitious materials in the concrete. Generally concrete strengths are compromised in some cases up to 35% less compressive strengths, requiring more cement (and cost) to compensate for this.
How does CLEVA CRETE improve concrete strength?
CLEVA CRETE admixtures enhance low permeability, strength and durability to the life of concrete. It works with the calcium hydroxide and the free water in concrete to produce additional calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) gel, the nano building block of concrete.
The resultant absence of capillaries in concrete and the production of extra gel produces a tough, durable and dense concrete.
There is a typical gain of 13-17% increase in MPa during the setting stage (first 1 to 2 days) of concrete. Then, as the concrete cures through the 28-day process, strengths show a 4 to 11% increase in MPa overall and overtime.
CLEVA CRETE’s effect on the setting and curing times of concrete?
CLEVA CRETE creates and adds more of the right type of calcium silicate hydrate. Additionally, it increases setting times by 13 to 17% on average depending on mix design. It is typical to see 7-to-10-day strengths after 48 hours from being poured. Also a few hours after the concrete has been batched and placed, there should be no moisture released out of the slab in the form of bleed water. Full curing time of the concrete usually occurs at the same time as normal, which is 28 days, as with any other concrete or control mixes. At this point there is typically no more than 4 to 11% increase.
Why does CLEVA CRETE require an approved mix design?
CLEVA CRETE needs to rid the concrete matrix of all free water. This is how the technology works. So, the dosage rate varies depending on the water/cement ratio. Providing us with a mix design ensures that we dose the right amount of CLEVA CRETE for your mix design.
As the only water-proofer that provides a 25-year warranty in this space, this becomes a crucial part of our QC requirements.
What price should we allow for using CLEVA CRETE on a project?
CLEVA CRETE 842 technology is a far superior tech that completely controls moisture issues in concrete. This makes it a fully warranted product so on-site quality control is imperative and dosage is by computer either during the batching process, or on-site as requested, protecting the full warranty, you and your client.
As all states price differently, CLEVA CRETE does not set the price in stone, it’s best to contact your special projects coordinator in your state direct to find out the exact price per cube.
CLEVA CRETE’s RRP for:
- CLEVA CRETE 842 MVRA is $51 per cubic metre (Resolves moisture vapour egress)
- CLEVA CRETE 842-WP is $77.45 cubic metre (Waterproofing to stop ingress/egress)
- CLEVA CRETE 842-RP is $93.75 cubic metre (Corrosion inhibitor plus waterproofing)