Specifications include, but are not limited to: n: Current specifications only allow Vinsol Resin-based Air Entraining Admixtures (AEA) in concrete mixes used on SDDOT projects, and the use of synthetic AEAs is not allowed. This restriction reduces the number of AEA products available for use on SDDOT projects, which could potentially delay projects if supply issues develop related to the production of Vinsol Resin-based AEAs. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) previously completed research project SD98- 03 which determined that synthetic AEA products were the source of the concrete strength issues experienced by the Department at that time. As a result of this research, SDDOT discontinued the use of synthetic AEAs and removed all synthetic AEAs from the Department’s approved products list, thus effectively prohibiting them from use on SDDOT projects. In the last 20+ years, the technology of synthetic AEAs has improved and AASHTO has developed a recommendation for evaluating AEAs (NCHRP Report 578). Research demonstrating the acceptable performance of synthetic AEAs would expand the supply of products allowable for use on SDDOT projects. This research would give SDDOT guidance on which synthetic AEAs produce acceptable results and could be added to the department’s approved products list and provide changes to the current specifications to include non-Vinsol resin AEAs.
