Rheology of ordinary and low-impact environmental concretes

This study deals with the rheological properties of concrete mixtures incorporating various types of mineral additions as a partial replacement of cement in order to produce a low-impact environmental concrete. The control mixture contained only Portland cement as the binder, while the remaining mixtures incorporated binary cementitious blends of slag, limestone filler, and fly ash with different rates of replacement. After mixing, the plastic viscosity and yield stress of the concretes were evaluated at different slump values using a rheometer apparatus. The results showed that the type of mineral additions and the rate of substitution affect the rheological parameters of low-impact environmental concrete. Indeed, increasing the degree of substitution leads to an increase in the plastic viscosity of the concrete made with different types of additions used in this study.     

Adsorption of superplasticizer admixtures on alkali-activated slag pastes

Alkali-activated slag (AAS) binders are obtained by a manufacturing process less energy-intensive than ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and involves lower greenhouse gasses emission. These alkaline cements allow the production of high mechanical strength and durable concretes. In the present work, the adsorption of different superplasticizer admixtures (naphthalene-based, melamine-based and a vinyl copolymer) on the slag particles in AAS pastes using alkaline solutions with different pH values have been studied in detail. The effect of the superplasticizers on the yield stress and plastic viscosity of the AAS and OPC pastes have been also evaluated.The results obtained allowed us to conclude that the adsorption of the superplasticizers on AAS pastes is independent of the pH of the alkaline solutions used and lower than on OPC pastes. However, the effect of the admixtures on the rheological parameters depends directly on the type and dosage of the superplasticizer as well as of the binder used and, in the case of the AAS, on the pH of the alkaline activator solution. In 11.7-pH NaOH-AAS pastes the dosages of the superplasticizers required to attain similar reduction in the yield stress are ten-fold lower than for Portland cement. In this case the superplasticizers studied show a fluidizing effect considerably higher in 11.7-pH NaOH-AAS pastes than in OPC pastes. In 13.6-pH NaOH-AAS pastes, the only admixture observed to affect the rheological parameters is the naphthalene-based admixture due to its higher chemical stability in such extremely alkaline media.     

Rheological properties of cementitious materials containing mineral admixtures

The rheological properties of cementitious materials containing fine particles, such as mineral admixtures (MA), were investigated using a Rotovisco RT 20 rheometer (Haake) with a cylindrical spindle. The mineral admixtures were finely ground blast furnace slag, fly ash and silica fume. The cementitious materials were designed as one, two and three components systems by replacement of ordinary portland cement (OPC) with these mineral admixtures. The rheological properties of one-component system (OPC) were improved with increasing the dosage of PNS-based superplasticizer. For two-components systems, yield stress and plastic viscosity decreased with replacing OPC with blast furnace slag (BFS) and fly ash (FA). In the case of OPC-silica fume (SF) system, yield stress and plastic viscosity steeply increased with increasing SF. For three components systems, both OPC-BFS-SF and OPC-FA-SF systems, the rheological properties improved, compared with the sample with SF. In the two and three components systems, the rheological properties of samples containing BFS improved much more than with FA replacement alone.     

Instant-chilled steel slag aggregate in concrete - strength related properties

The properties of concretes containing instant-chilled steel slag (I.C.S.) as aggregate are presented. The I.C.S. slag possesses good physical and mechanical properties and has sufficient stability for use as a coarse aggregate in concrete. Bond tests have shown that I.C.S. slag exhibits higher interfacial bond splitting strength with cement mortat than that of limestone aggregate. The tensile splitting strength of the slag aggregate itself is higher than that of limestone. Compressive, indirect tensile and flexural strengths of I.C.S. slag concretes were greater than those of corresponding control concretes containing limestone aggregate.     

Effect of superplasticizer and shrinkage-reducing admixtures on alkali-activated slag pastes and mortars

This paper shows how several superplasticizers (polycarboxylates, vinyl copolymers, melamine and naphthalene-based) and shrinkage-reducing (polypropylenglycol derivatives) admixtures affect the mechanical and rheological properties and setting times of alkali-activated slag pastes and mortars. Two activator solutions, waterglass and NaOH, were used, along with two concentrations—4% and 5% of Na₂O by mass of slag. All admixtures, with the exception of the naphthalene-based product, lost their fluidifying properties in mortars activated with NaOH as a result of the changes in their chemical structures in high alkaline media. The difference in the behaviour of these admixtures when ordinary Portland cement is used as a binder is also discussed in this paper.     

Slag cement utilization: Rheological properties and related characterization

Mortars prepared from slag-cement blends have been shown to exceed or equal the strengths of portland cement mortars at 7 to 28 days. Such cements have further potential advantages in their performance with regard to durability, and in their early stage properties which govern workability. The early stage rheological properties including mortar flow, yield stress, and viscosity were investigated, combined with zeta potential measurements, and used to explain the excellent workability. The working time of slag cement may be extended to later ages compared with portland cements through use of superplasticizers.     

Shifting factor—A new paradigm for studying the rheology of cementitious suspensions

One of the main challenges when studying the rheology of cementitious systems is that cement particles are large and susceptible to gravity, in particular in dispersed systems. This implies that the range of volume fractions over which rheological properties of cement pastes can be measured is limited, as too high water content causes segregation and too low water content results in pastes that are too cohesive to measure. Consequently, the impact of the volume fraction of solids on yield stress is still not reliably established. A similar situation is encountered when studying cementitious systems with superplasticizers, whose impact is highly dependent on dosage. An important issue here is that admixture effects cannot be reliably established with respect to nonadmixed references as the latter ones can most often not be measured at the volume fractions for which admixed pastes do not segregate. The “Shifting factor” approach presented in this paper overcomes this long-standing issue establishing exponential dependences of yield stress both with respect to volume fraction and admixture adsorption.     

Eco-friendly concretes with reduced water and cement contents — Mix design principles and laboratory tests

The major environmental impact of concrete is caused by CO₂-emissions during cement production. Great potential for reducing the impact is seen especially for concretes with normal strength. The use of superplasticizers and highly reactive cements as well as optimization of particle-size distribution and reduction in water content allows a significant reduction in Portland cement clinker in the concrete. Essential is the addition of mineral fillers (e.g. limestone powder) to provide an optimal paste volume. In addition, the already practicable substitution of secondary raw materials like fly-ash or furnace-slag for cement clinker is an appropriate option which is however limited by the availability of these resources.In several test series the fresh and hardened concrete properties of concretes with reduced water and cement contents were investigated, especially their workability, strength development, design-relevant mechanical properties as well as durability aspects such as carbonation. It was shown that concretes with cement clinker and slag contents as low as 150 kg/m³ were able to meet the usual requirements of workability, compressive strength (approx. 40 N/mm²) and mechanical properties. The carbonation depth of concretes with 150-175 kg/m³ clinker and slag was equal or lower than the depth of conventional reference concretes for exterior structures. The ecological advantages were identified, using environmental performance evaluation. A reduction of up to 35% in environmental impact was calculated compared with conventional concrete and of more than 60% with granulated blast-furnace slag. Practical application was verified by means of full-scale tests in a precast and ready-mix concrete plant.     

Influence of superplasticizers on rheological behaviour of fresh cement mortars

To assure required workability of high performance concrete (HPC), various superplasticizers are used. Only by using superplasticizers can rheological properties of HPC mix be adequately adjusted to the methods and conditions of concrete processing. Thus, the key element in efficient workability shaping is the complex knowledge how superplasticizers influence the rheological properties of fresh concrete in different technological circumstances.In the paper, the methodology and test results of an investigation into the influence of chemically different superplasticizers on the rheological properties of standard mortars are presented and discussed. The rheological parameters of mortars yield value g, and plastic viscosity h were determined using VISCOMAT PC rotational rheometer. In the research, the influence of the performance of superplasticizers was investigated taking into account following factors: chemical origin of superplasticizers (SNF/naphthalene sulfonic acid/, AP/polycarboxylate acid, PC/policarboxylate ester/), superplasticizer dosage, W/C ratio, cement type (CEM I, CEM II and CEM III), cement physical and chemical properties and temperature.The results presented in the paper show that by testing rheological parameters of mortars with rotational viscometer, it is possible to complex and precisely determine the performance of superplasticizers. On the ground of obtained results, it is possible to optimise the composition of mortars and concretes from workability point of view.     

Effects of crosslinked polycarboxylate superplasticizers with crosslinking agent containing ester and amide groups on the properties of cementitious systems

Herein, crosslinked polycarboxylate superplasticizers were synthesized using acrylic acid, sodium methylallyl sulfonate and methyl polyethylene glycol acrylate as monomers, and monomers that contain either ester or amide groups as crosslinking agents. The superplasticizers that were synthesized from the ester- and amide-based crosslinking agents were respectively denoted as SP-E and SP-N. In addition, a series of performance characterizations were carried out to explore the influence of different functional groups in crosslinking agents on the performance of superplasticizers. Fluidity test results showed that the dispersibility and fluidity retention of cement pastes treated with the SP-E were better than those of cement pastes treated with SP-N. Meanwhile, the viscosity of the sample containing SP-E was lower than that containing SP-N. In addition, the amount of the two superplasticizers that had become adsorbed onto the surfaces of cement particles also differed, and in this case the adsorption capacity of SP-E was greater than that of SP-N. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy tests showed that the ester-group based SP-E superplasticizers promoted cement hydration to a greater degree than that was achieved with their amide-bearing SP-N counterparts. This study would provide valuable insight for the development of crosslinked polycarboxylate superplasticizers.     

Fluidizing efficiency of comb-like superplasticizers: The effect of the anionic function,the side chain length and the grafting degree

Superplasticizers and especially polycarboxylate grafted polyethylene oxide (PCE) demonstrated their efficiency to fluidify concrete. The aim of this work is to investigate the evolution of the fluidity as a function of adsorption in a sulfated solution with a wide variety of comb-like superplasticizers and at incomplete adsorption rate. Polymers with various side chain lengths, grafting ratios and also with modified anionic functions (carboxylate, dicarboxylate and phosphate) were synthesized. Inert calcite suspensions were used to mimic early age cementitious materials avoiding the cement hydration. Models of polymer conformation and yield stress prediction have been tested. But the most appropriate parameter which captures the fluidity/adsorption relationship is the mass of adsorbed polymer. A unique relationship “log(yield stress) vs. adsorbed mass of PCE” has been highlighted whatever the classical carboxylate PCE structure. The modification of the anionic function does not enhance the fluidizing efficiency. Each PCE has roughly the same fluidizing efficiency when it manages to adsorb in these ionic conditions.     

常见炉渣水泥复合胶凝材料性能研究综述

矿渣、钢渣是常见炉渣,炉渣作为工业冶炼后的残余产物占据着大量优质的土地资源,严重污染着周边环境.为了解决炉渣的使用问题,一种方法是将经过处理的炉渣掺入到水泥的生产中,代替部分水泥,制成炉渣水泥复合胶凝材料;另一种方法是将炉渣作为碎石掺入到混凝土的制作过程中,但这种效果并不理想.研究表明,炉渣水泥复合胶凝材料几乎与水泥性能相当,展现出了许多优异的性能.这种方法不仅解决了炉渣使用的问题,还减少了因为炉渣堆积和水泥生产带来的环境污染,因此炉渣水泥复合胶凝材料的研究成为了国内外关于水泥研究的热点之一.将从多方面介绍炉渣水泥复合胶凝材料在国内外研究的现状以及未来的发展展望.     

矿渣胶凝材料砂浆弹性模量研究

为了研究矿渣胶凝材料配比对水泥砂浆抗裂性能的影响,对不同掺量下矿渣胶凝材料的抗折强度和抗弯拉弹性模量进行了测试,并分析了矿渣胶凝材料弹性模量的影响机理.试验结果表明:矿渣胶凝材料具有弹性模量小,抗裂性能好等优点.其最佳掺量为矿渣72％～74％,石灰石4％.随着抗折强度的增加,矿渣胶凝材料弹性模量降低.     

Using limestone aggregates and different cements for enhancing resistance of concrete to sulphuric acid attack

A research program was undertaken to improve concrete's resistance against sulphuric acid attack. Six concretes were investigated, four using calcareous limestone aggregates and two using silicious aggregates. Cements used in these concretes included a portland cement, a binary cement containing ground granulated blast furnace slag, and two ternary cements containing slag and silica fume or fly ash and silica fume. All the concretes had the same water/cement ratio of 0.4, with compressive strengths in the range of 45 MPa and 58 MPa at the age of 28 days. In the experiment, concrete cylinders were immersed in 1% sulphuric acid solution and they were periodically examined for appearance, measured for mass change and tested in compression up to 168 days. The concrete using limestone aggregates and the ternary cement containing silica fume and fly ash performed the best.     

Chloride resistance of high-performance concretes subjected to accelerated curing

The strengths and chloride penetration resistance of a series of high-performance concretes were measured after curing either at 23 °C or accelerated by heating to 65 °C. The results confirm that concretes containing silica fume (SF) or ternary blends of SF and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) exhibit improved chloride penetration resistance compared to those of plain Portland cement concretes. In addition, chloride penetration resistance of Portland cement concrete is adversely affected by accelerated curing. With the use of the ternary ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-SF-GGBFS binders, accelerated curing did not have detrimental effects on chloride penetration resistance and provided 18-h strengths in excess of 40 MPa.     

Cement paste prior to setting: A rheological approach

The evolution of cement paste during the dormant period is analyzed via small amplitude oscillation rheological measurements. Cement paste, from the very first moments after mixing cement and water, shows the formation of an elastic gel whose strength is rapidly increasing over time. Up to the onset of Portlandite precipitation G′(t) increases by more than 2 orders of magnitude and in the acceleratory period G′(t) continues steadily to increase. A microstructural modification is likely to occur between the dormant and the acceleratory period. At low deformations in the linearity domain the storage modulus G′(ω) exhibits a negligible frequency dependence. At higher deformations cement paste shows a yield stress which increases on increasing paste concentration.The presence of superplasticizers decreases the yield stress and increases the gelation threshold of the paste. Above the gelation threshold the evolution of cement paste with superplasticizers follows similar trends to the neat paste.     

掺合料对磷石膏基复合胶凝材料耐水性及强度的影响综述

磷石膏中含有的可溶性磷、氟等杂质使其在建筑行业利用率较低。而且磷石膏材料耐水性较差,需要复配其他水硬性掺合料来提高其耐水性,不同地区的磷石膏因其理化性质不同,其复合胶凝材料的力学性能也存在一定的差异。针对上述问题,介绍了主要的磷石膏基复合胶凝材料类型,分析了粉煤灰、矿渣、生石灰、水泥对不同磷石膏基复合胶凝材料耐水性及强度的影响,阐明其影响规律,确定了粉煤灰、矿渣、生石灰、水泥在磷石膏基复合胶凝材料中的建议掺量区间。     

Rheology of latex-modified grouts

The rheology of grouts containing latex was investigated. The two latex additives used were carboxylated styrene-butadiene and acrylic. The influences of superplasticizer, fly ash, and blast furnace slag on the rheology of latex-modified grouts were addressed. Shear stress-shear rate curves were determined for a variety of mix proportions. The time-dependent behaviour of selected grouts was also studied. It was determined that the yield stress and apparent viscosity are influenced by latex content and that the grouts are shear thinning at low water/cement ratios. Latex imparts stability and thixotropy in grouts. Partial replacement of cement with either fly ash or slag diminishes the effect of latex on rheology.     

Identification of the Thermodynamically Stable Fe‐Containing Phase in Aged Cement Pastes

Current developments in cement chemistry increasingly rely on predictive thermodynamic modeling of the phase composition in cementitious composites with the aim of linking the performance of the material with the phase composition of the material. This approach requires identification of the cement phases that form in hydrating cementitious materials using standard techniques, such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (DTA, TGA), but also state‐of‐the‐art synchrotron‐based techniques, in particular for those cases in which the signals of solid solutions overlap in XRD and TGA measurements. In this study, two ordinary Portland cements, with different chemical compositions and subject to different hydration times (~10, ~50 yr), were investigated aiming at identifying the most stable Fe‐containing cement phase in the cement pastes. The Fe‐containing cement phases and their solid solutions with the Al analogues in the complex cement matrix were analyzed with X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, indicating the formation of a mixed Fe–Al siliceous hydrogarnet as the major Fe‐containing phase. The presence of this phase after long hydration periods and upon selective dissolution of the pastes further indicates that, independent of the chemical compositions of cements, formation of the mixed Fe–Al siliceous hydrogarnet is thermodynamically favored in aged pastes, which is supported by published thermodynamic calculations.