2021
Lyndhurst, NJ

Sustainable concrete production, which means a net reduction in CO2 emissions over the life-cycle of a structure, can be achieved by; a reduction of cement used, a reduction of mixing and/or placement energy, and an increase in longevity/durability of the concrete structure.

Sika® Rapid-1 can offset cement demand without sacrificing early age or final concrete strengths. This reduction in cement demand directly reduces the embodied carbon (eCO2) within the concrete mix resulting in lower direct contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential. This benefit is improved when combined with supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, slag, silica fume, or metakaolin. Sika® Rapid-1 can help in the reduction of the embodied carbon of concrete.  A harder accelerator admixture is used to both increase workability and reduce the water/cement ratio. This leads to increased strength and reduces the permeability of hardened concrete while decreasing cement concrete. 

Sika® Rapid-1 technology is a unique, non-chloride-based hardening and strength accelerator that increases the early age strength of concrete. Unlike conventional set accelerators, Sika® Rapid-1 technology does not reduce slump life and has a minimal effect on concrete's initial set time and final strength. This allows the concrete to be produced, transported, placed, and finished normally. Once the concrete reached its initial set, Sika® Rapid-1 can be used to reduce demoulding time or speed access onto concrete floors and pavements and speed up the construction process. 

Sika® Rapid-1 enhances concrete durability by providing a stronger concrete matrix at an early age when concrete is most susceptible to internal and external stresses. These stresses can lead to localized cracks and the eventual onset of more several concrete corrosion. 

Image: Virginia DOT - I - 64 Concrete Pavement Patches, Virginia
Image: District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority - Storm Water Management Precast Concrete Segments

Learn More about Sika® Rapid-1

Sika® Rapid-1

Sika® Rapid-1

Strength/Hardening Accelerating Admixture
High Early Strength Concrete: Sika® Rapid-1 delivers excellent results in normal and
hot weather conditions where very high early strengths are required.  
  • Benefits
    • Early stripping and re-use of forms.
    • Faster finishing operations on flatwork surfaces.
    • Earlier post-tensioning.
    • Effective with Type I/II/III cements.   
    • Enhanced concrete sustainability through cement reduction and lower carbon footprint (eCO2).
  Precast Concrete: Sika® Rapid-1 delivers excellent results for precast concrete when high early strengths are required. Curing times are significantly reduced while concrete quality is improved.   
  • Benefits
    • Use as a replacement for steam curing to save energy costs.
    • Increase early strengths and allow faster rotation of molds to increase production per day.
    • Use as a replacement for Type III cement.
    • Enhanced concrete sustainability through cement reduction and lower carbon footprint (eCO2).
  Cold weather concreting: Sika® Rapid-1 is an effective hardening accelerator where high early strength concrete is desired and the use of calcium chloride is prohibited.   
  • Benefits
    • Insulation and heating costs for curing time can be reduced.
    • Earlier stripping and reuse of forms increases labor productivity.
    • Accelerated strength gain allows earlier structural use and speeds completion time.
    • Enhanced concrete sustainability through cement reduction and lower carbon footprint (eCO2).  
   Sika® Rapid-1 does not contain calcium chloride or any other intentionally added chlorides and will not initiate or promote the corrosion of reinforcing steel present in the concrete.   Placing concrete in freezing conditions: When used at Sika recommended dosage rates, Sika® Rapid-1 may reduce the need for cold weather concreting practices as specified in ACI 306-Standard Specification for Cold Weather Concreting. Field evaluations should be carried out when concrete is to be placed in freezing conditions to determine the minimum ambient and concrete temperatures required, and the optimum dosage for the desired setting time and strength performance. Sika strongly recommends that appropriate sound curing practices be used to protect fresh concrete from excessive heat loss in extreme weather conditions.