In most cases, despite the very large variety of cements, admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials (SCM's) and conditions encountered by concrete producers, predictable performance
can be achieved, otherwise the concrete industry would suffer far more problems than it does. However, in some cases unexpected slump loss, excessive fast or slow set, and/or poor or absent strength development can occur. The concrete industry has had an on-going challenge to minimize these unexpected events, which can cause major disruptions of construction schedules.