Superplasticized portland cement: production and compressive strength of mortars and concrete

This paper deals with the effect of intergrinding different percentages of a naphthalene-based superplasticizer with Portland cement clinker and gypsum on the fineness of the product, and on the water requirement and the compressive strength of the mortars made with the superplasticized cement. The properties of the fresh and hardened concrete made with the superplasticized cements were also investigated. The results showed that the intergrinding of a given amount of a naphthalene-based superplasticizer with Portland clinker and gypsum reduced the grinding time required for obtaining the same Blaine fineness as that of the control Portland cement without the superplasticizer. The water requirement of the mortars made with the superplasticized cements was similar to that of the mortars made with the control Portland cements when the same amount of the superplasticizer was added at the mortar mixer; for a given grinding time and a Blaine fineness of 4500 cm²/g, the mortars made with the superplasticized cement had higher compressive strength than those made with the control Portland cement. For a given grinding time or Blaine fineness of cement ≥5000 cm²/g, the slump loss, air content stability, bleeding, autogenous temperature rise, setting times, and compressive strength of the concrete made with the superplasticized cements were generally comparable to those of the concrete made with the control Portland cements when the superplasticizer was added at the concrete mixer.     

Influence of the fineness of sewage sludge ash on the mortar properties

Sewage sludge ash (SSA) is a recycled material and can be used in cement mortar as pozzolan. To improve the mortar properties, this research utilized mechanical grinding to adjust the fineness of SSA. Finely ground SSA with Blaine fineness of 500-1000 m²/kg was added to mortar to replace 20% of portland cement. The initial and final setting times of SSA-cement paste simultaneously prolonged when SSA fineness increased. Because of the lubricant effect and morphology improvement, the workability of SSA mortar increased when fineness increased. In addition, the pozzolanic activity of SSA and the compressive strength of mortar increased when SSA fineness did. The strength activity index (SAI) value approximately increased 5% when SSA fineness increased per 100 m²/kg. According to the results, the application of mechanical grinding to adjust SSA fineness was an effective modification to improve SSA mortar properties including workability and compressive strength.     

Characterization of stem phoenix fibres as potential reinforcement of self compacting mortar

In this work, we investigate the effect of different treatment process on stem Phoenix fibres. Underwent different surface modification methods such as alkali treatment with concentration of 10%, epoxy treatment, and combine both of procedures preceded. The treated fibres reinforcement was used in self compacting mortar (SCM) with a length of 20 ± 2 mm and different proportions (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3%) by mortar volume. Flowability of fresh modified self compacting mortar is carried out using two main techniques, including flow table experiments and mini V-funnel flow test. Mechanical performance is derived from bending and compression testing at different curing times. Results show a positive effect of fibre treatment on the rheological and mechanical performances of self compacting mortars. Results show also that optimal formulations need to use fibres treated with (10% NaOH + epoxy resin) by an amount of 3%. These formulations reveal superior mechanical performance compared to all tested mixes after 28 curing days, by 20% in compressive strength and 40% of tensile strength.     

Mechanical and adhesion properties of polymer-modified cement mortars in relation with their microstructure

In this study, cement mortars were modified with a commercial polymer admixture. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the polymer content on the mechanical and adhesion properties of the mortars and to relate these properties with mortars’ microstructure. A series of mortars were produced with various polymer/cement/water/aggregate ratios. The adhesion properties of the mortars to clay bricks were tested with a simplified tensile testing measurement. The microstructure of mortars, as well as interfaces, were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was found that with high polymer content, large size hardened particles are formed, reducing the compressive strength of the mortars. Polymer addition enhances the adhesion between the mortar and brick. The mortar microstructure at the interface affects the adhesion properties and the mode of failure.     

Latex influence on the mechanical behavior and durability of cementitious materials

The results of an experimental program conducted on latex-modified mortars are presented in this article. These mortars have become of growing interest in the field of construction. They were used as superplasticizers, or water reducers, for finishing work applications and for repairs, coatings, and waterproofing. This study is about using two polymers (latex), i.e. styrene–butadiene rubber and styrene–acrylic, in order to assess their performance in replacing cement in mortars. A series of mortar mixtures, containing 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of solid polymer latex (by weight), were prepared and tested in the fresh and hardened states. The test parameters include the fluidity, compressive and flexural strengths, porosity accessible to water, adhesion to clay bricks, and cementitious substrates. The experimental results showed that substituting cement into modified mortars improves their fluidity and adhesion. In the case of clay substrates, a cohesive failure occurs within the substrate layer beyond 10% of substitution, while the rupture takes place at the interface for all formulations tested on cementitious substrates. It was also noted that the flexural tensile strength improved beyond 60 days. However, the compressive strength of polymer mortars decreased with the substitution rate of cement, for all maturities considered. However, for porosity accessible to water, the results follow a linear function, with an inflection at 5% of latex substitution.     

Effect of large amounts of natural pozzolan addition on properties of blended cements

In this study, the effects of 35, 45, and 55 wt.% natural pozzolan addition on the properties of blended cement pastes and mortars were investigated. Blended cements with 450 m²/kg Blaine fineness were produced from a Turkish volcanic tuff in a laboratory mill by intergrinding portland cement clinker, natural pozzolan, and gypsum. The cements were tested for particle size distribution, setting time, heat of hydration, compressive strength, alkali-silica activity, and sulfate resistance. Cement pastes were tested by TGA for Ca(OH)₂ content and by XRD for the crystalline hydration products. The compressive strength of the mortars made with blended cements containing large amounts of natural pozzolan was lower than that of the portland cement at all tested ages up to 91 days. Blended cements containing large amounts of pozzolan exhibited much less expansion with respect to portland cement in accelerated alkali-silica test and in a 36-week sulfate immersion test.     

Effect of polymer cement modifiers on mechanical and physical properties of polymer-modified mortar using recycled artificial marble waste fine aggregate

Various polymer-modified mortars using recycled artificial marble waste fine aggregate (AMWFA) were prepared and investigated for the purpose of feasibility of recycling. Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) latex and polyacrylic ester (PAE) emulsion were employed as polymer modifier, and compared each other. The replacement ratio of AMWFA was also changed to investigate the effect of it on physical properties. Adding polymer cement modifier into mortar reduced water–cement ratio, and PAE was the more effective polymer cement modifier to reduce water–cement ratio than SBR. PAE emulsion-modified mortar increased the air content entrained as the proportion of PAE was increased. There was little difference in water absorption between SBR latex and PAE emulsion. The compressive strength decreased in the presence of polymer cement modifiers compared to that of no polymer cement modifiers, but the compressive strength of 20% of polymer–cement ratio was higher than that of 10%. After the hot water resistance test, both compressive strength and flexural strength were decreased.     

再生微粉对干混砂浆性能的影响研究

为了促进建筑垃圾的再生利用,通过再生微粉替代部分水泥制备干混砂浆,探究再生微粉细度、掺量和复掺比对砂浆稠度、抗压强度、抗折强度和显微结构的影响规律。结果表明,随着再生微粉颗粒细度的减小,砂浆稠度整体呈下降趋势,28 d抗压、抗折强度均呈增加趋势,研磨40 h时,其强度达到最大值。随着再生微粉掺量的增加,砂浆稠度呈下降趋势,28 d抗压、抗折强度呈先增加后降低的趋势,当掺量为10%(质量分数)时,抗压强度达到最大值。随着再生微粉复掺比(质量比)的增大,砂浆稠度呈下降趋势,砂浆的28 d抗压、抗折强度呈先增加后降低的趋势,当研磨20 h的微粉与未研磨微粉复掺比为6∶4时,其抗压强度达到最大值。     

硅灰改性水泥/石灰砂浆微观结构的研究

以水泥和石灰为胶凝材料,中细砂为集料,再掺加有机聚合物流化剂制成水泥/石灰砂浆,水泥/石灰砂浆中添加外加剂的文献资料很少,通常是有关水泥砂浆的研究.本实验用硅灰取代10%(质量分数)的普通硅酸盐水泥,水泥、石灰和砂子的质量比为3:1:12,外加有机聚合物对砂浆改性,利用扫描电子显微镜、能谱仪和压汞仪对浆体进行微观分析.分析结果显示,由于硅灰的加入,浆体内部水化产物在早期先以Ⅲ型C-S-H凝胶的形式出现,随后,Ⅲ型和I型的C-S-H凝胶以并存的形式在水化后期出现;正如预期的那样,试样的总的孔隙率也比没加硅灰前有了大幅度的下降,而抗压强度的提高在水化后期才表现出来.     

Enhancement in early strengths of slag-cement mortars by adjusting basicity of the slag prepared from fly-ash of MSWI

The insufficient early strengths of cement mortars in which partial cement had been replaced by pulverized slag melted from municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly-ash were tackled in this study by adjusting the basicity of the slag through the addition of various amounts of CaCO₃ into MSWI fly-ash, melted into a ‘modified slag’, pulverized to partially replace cement. Increased basicity in the modified slag manifestly improves the early compressive strengths of cement mortar with 20% Portland cement replaced by the modified slag powder (20 wt.% CaCO₃ added). The 14-day and 28-day compressive strengths of the mortars evidently increased to nearly that of the reference specimen made of only Portland cement mortar. The 90-day compressive strength is even higher than that of the reference specimen. Porosity and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) analyses evidenced the improvement in early strengths by hydration while the enhancement in long-term strength by pozzolanic reaction in the CaCO₃ added slag-cement mortar.     

聚丙烯酸酯乳液在水泥砂浆中的应用

为了提高水泥砂浆的韧性,选用了能形成柔性薄膜结构的聚合物--聚丙烯酸酯乳液对水泥砂浆进行改性.研究了聚丙烯酸酯乳液对水泥砂浆体积密度、抗压强度、抗折强度、韧性、动弹模量和黏结抗拉强度的影响.结果表明:聚丙烯酸酯乳液在一定程度上降低了水泥砂浆体积密度和抗压强度,对抗折强度影响较小,改善了水泥砂浆的韧性,并且可提高黏结抗拉强度.当乳液掺量(质量分数)大于5%时,28 d混合养护聚丙烯酸酯乳液水泥砂浆的压折比降低到3以下,只有当乳液掺量大于10%时,水泥砂浆的黏结抗拉强度才明显提高.     

水泥细度对早龄期碾压混凝土综合抗裂性的影响(英文)

水泥水化热与比表面积和化学组成有关,但是相对于调整水泥的化学组成来说,通过减小水泥的比表面积来降低水泥水化热要容易得多。为了探索水泥比表面积与碾压混凝土抗裂性能的关系,采用相同熟料磨制了3种细度的水泥,研究了水泥细度对水化热、胶砂强度的影响,以及对混凝土的工作性、力学性能(抗压强度、抗拉强度和抗拉弹性模量)、极限拉伸值、绝热温升等性能的影响;同时,采用温度–应力试验机,评估了在100%约束和近似绝热条件下水泥细度对早龄期碾压混凝土综合抗裂性能的影响。结果表明:水化热与比表面积成线性关系,降低水泥比表面积是降低混凝土温升的有效、便捷的措施;粗磨水泥提高了碾压混凝土的工作性,降低了混凝土的抗压强度和弹性模量,但混凝土极限拉伸值没有明显变化;温度–应力试验表明,随着水泥比表面积的降低,混凝土第二零应力温度更低,粗磨水泥碾压混凝土综合抗裂风险更低。     

内养护对不同细度水泥制备的砂浆性能的影响

研究了饱和轻骨料内养护对不同细度水泥配制的砂浆自收缩、强度、水化程度、显微硬度以及界面过渡区形貌等的影响。结果发现：内养护可显著降低不同细度水泥配制的砂浆的早期自收缩,但减缩效果随着水泥比表面积增大而降低;内养护的砂浆后期自收缩仍持续增加,水泥越粗,自收缩后期增长越大;内养护能够显著促进水泥早期水化,这种促进作用在细水泥中最显著。在相同条件下,轻骨料的引入对砂浆强度的影响作用与水泥细度有关;显微硬度以及界面过渡区微观形貌结果显示,轻骨料内养护能显著改善粗水泥体系微观结构,对细水泥体系微观结构的改善则无显著贡献。     

Several properties of mineral admixtured lightweight mortars at elevated temperatures

The improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of mortars including expanded perlite aggregate (EPA) containing either clinoptilolite, a type of natural zeolite (NZ), waste glass powder (GP) or blast furnace slag (BFS) cured at elevated temperature was analyzed using thermal conductivity, compressive strength, flexure strength and dry unit weight. EPA mortar specimens were prepared by replacing a varying part of the portland cement with the above minerals. All mortar samples were prepared and cured at 23±1°C lime saturated water for 28 days. The maximum thermal conductivity of 1.3511W/mK was determined with the control samples containing plain cement. GP has shown 1 and 4% decrease for both 10, 20% GP and 25% EPA, respectively. Both BFS and NZ have a decreasing effect on thermal conductivity. The experiments were carried out, in which the samples were subjected to temperature of 300, 500 and 800°C for 2 h, then cooled in air. The results indicated that all the mortars exposed to temperature of 500 and 800°C shown a significant decrease in thermal conductivity, compressive strength and flexure strength. However, compared with the mortars including 25% EPA, adding the other admixtures at all level replacement decreased thermal conductivity, compressive strength, flexure strength and dry unit weight as a function of replacement percent. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ternary mortars with brick powder,glass powder,slag, fly ash,and limestone

The objective of this research is to study the effects produced by ternary binders which combine the addition of waste brick powder with fly ash, limestone, ground granulated blast furnace slag or waste glass powder in the microstructure and mechanical properties of mortars. In these ternary binders, the ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced by 10% of waste brick powder and 10% of another of the abovementioned additions. Mortars prepared with ordinary Portland cement without additions were also prepared. The microstructure was characterized with mercury intrusion porosimetry, electrical resistivity, and thermogravimetric analyses. Ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive and flexural strengths were also determined. Mortars made using ternary binders with two active additions showed higher pore refinement and higher electrical resistivity at 250 days. Furthermore, their compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity were relatively similar or even higher than that noted for reference specimens.     

Physico-mechanical properties of mortars based on the addition of dune sand powder and the recycled fines using the mixture design modelling approach

Physico-mechanical properties of mortars based on the addition of dune sand powder (DSP) and the recycled fines (RF) using the mixture design modelling approach were investigated. This experimental program aims to provide solutions and answers on the use of DSP and the recycled concrete waste in the form of fines for manufacture of the mortar having good properties. For this purpose, both additions are added by substitution of cement up to 25%. Through the results obtained, we have noticed the interest of modelling the response studied by a polynomial which is then able to calculate all the responses of the field of study without being obliged to make all the experiments. The obtained results showed that the introduction of DSP and RF in cement (by substitution) leads to a considerable improvement of mechanical strengths. The dosages of the three factors have optimum values (respectively around 66.66% of cement, 33.33% of DSP, 0% of RF in substituted volume of 112.5 kg of cement) for which the compressive strength (Cs) reaches a maximum value. Cs increases when the percentage of additions increases till an optimum (8.33% DSP, 8.33% RF), then decreases for larger percentages. One can observe that after 28 days, highest flexural strengths are that of mortars M7 and M9, with an optimum effect for the mortar M7. In addition, the modelling of the workability shows that the presence of DSP improves the workability of the mortars in the fresh state. Recycled fines have a negative effect on the flow time.     

Reactive pozzolana from Indian clays—their use in cement mortars

Studies were undertaken to produce reactive pozzolana i.e. metakaolin from four kaolinitic clays collected from different sources in India. The metakaolin produced from these clays at 700-800 °C show lime reactivity in between 10.5 to 11.5 N/mm² which is equivalent to commercially available calcined clay Metacem-85. The microstructure of the metakaolin has been reported. The effect of addition of metakaolin up to 25% in the Portland cement mortars was investigated. An increase in compressive strength and decrease of porosity and pore diameter of cement mortars containing metakaolin (10%) was noted over the cement mortars without metakaolin. The hydration of metakaolin blended cement mortars was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The major hydraulic products like C-S-H and C₄AH₁₃ have been identified. Durability of the cement mortars with and without metakaolin was examined in different sulphate solutions. Data show better strength achievement in cement mortars containing 10% MK than the OPC mortars alone.     

Effect of epoxy resin on the intrinsic properties of masonry mortars

The paper presents an assessment on the properties of three different types of masonry mortars, namely Portland cement mortar (CM), polymer cement mortar (PCM) and polymer mortar (PM) of various compositions. The effect of binder content (cement and/or epoxy) on CM, PCM or PM has been explored in the study. An assessment was carried out on the basis of mechanical (compressive, tensile and flexural strength), physical (water uptake, chloride ion permeability), morphological (porosity) and thermal (coefficient of thermal expansion) properties of the mortars. A comparative cost analysis of the mortars is also discussed in this article. The results show that the mechanical strength of both PCM and PM improves markedly with the addition of epoxy resin, and the higher rate of incremental strength is found for PM. Consequently, the chloride ion penetration, water uptake, porosity and thermal expansion of the mortars decrease significantly with the resin content, but the rate of drop in chloride ion penetration, water uptake, porosity and thermal expansion is much higher for PM. The test results indicate that the variation of binder content (epoxy/cement) is found to be the key factor determining the mortar properties and cost.     

The Adhesion Properties of Mortars in Relation with Microstructure

The interaction between masonry units and mortar is a crucial factor for the quality of a wall. The most important factor is the adhesion between bricks and mortar in order to construct a masonry wall with adequate strength, good impermeability, and durability. In this work mortars were produced with various cement/lime/aggregates ratio. The adhesion properties of the mortars with clay bricks were tested with a simplified tensile/tear testing measurement. In order to investigate the adhesion properties in relation with microstructure the mortars were characterized with X-ray diffraction and were further investigated with scanning electron microscopy and stereoscopy. It was found that adhesion is favored by the formation of a Si–Al matrix with a low Ca content in the brick/mortar interface and the formation of fine Ca–Al–Si phases which can penetrate into the brick.     

磨细矿渣对高性能混凝土性能的影响1掺加磨细矿渣的砂浆试验

研究了矿渣的细度、掺量对水泥砂浆的强度和流动性的影响。结果表明：矿渣细度较小时,抗压强度随着掺量的增加而下降。当细度变大,强度随着掺量增加而下降的趋势变缓。细度超过一定值后,强度随着掺量的增加呈现上升趋势。同时,细度、掺量对早期（３ ｄ、７ ｄ）强度和后期（２８ ｄ）强度的影响也有差别。细度低于 ８００ ｍ ２ ／ｋｇ 的矿渣对砂浆的流动性影响不大,但细度高于 ８００ ｍ ２ ／ｋｇ的超细矿渣能够显著降低用水量。试验结果为研究矿渣在高性能混凝土中的应用提供了依据。