Set Retarding Admixture - Cons?

[Structures33]

Living in the south, set retarding admixtures are frequently proposed in mix designs. Moving into the fall/winter, I have some projects where I don't think a retarding admixture will be needed (due to temperature). I don't know much about the negatives of using retarding admixtures.

The PCA Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures recommends only using retarding admixtures in "extreme cases". That makes me believe that there are some negative aspects and we should not allow them unless they are absolutely necessary. Input regarding the cons of using retarding admixtures is appreciated!

 

[JedClampett]

I'm in Arizona, so it's pretty hot here, too. And we don't get that proposed (set retarding mixtures) very often, so I don't know what their motivation is in your neck of the woods. But I don't like any admixtures beyond our standard (water reducing, air entraining, maybe a super p for good measure) setup.
It's like medications. Maybe you can mix viagra and ambien, but maybe it turns into something horrible. I don't want to find out.

 

[dhengr]

JedC:
You mean it gets as hard as concrete after 7 and 28 days??? I think you are mixing metaphors here, not concrete. I thought Viagra had a 4 hour time limit of some sort. And then, I think the retarder idea (additive) has to do with another aspect of this other process, and they don’t call that premature set-up either. This damn engineering and construction business is gettin confuseder by the minute. I think I’ll go home and see if my girlfriend wants to mix some cement.