Mixture-proportioning of high-performance concrete

The paper presents a new approach to design concrete mixtures. It is based upon a set of models relating composition and engineering properties of concrete, to be implemented into software, linked with a material database. The principles underlying the various models are summarized, most of which focus on the granular structure of fresh/hardened concrete. A global approach to concrete is promoted, where performance specifications can be formulated in terms of fresh concrete (yield stress, plastic viscosity, slump and air content), hardening concrete (adiabatic temperature rise and autogenous shrinkage) and hardened concrete (compressive strength at any age, tensile strength, elastic modulus, creep and shrinkage). This approach is illustrated through the design of a special high-shrinkage high-performance concrete (HPC) for road application. To date, durability is lacking in the model and requires further research.     

基于流变特性的粗骨料级配优化设计

采用ICAR流变仪测试了三级配粗骨料不同比例组成时新拌混凝土的性能,在宾汉姆模型的基础上,得到了流变参数.探究了粗骨料级配对扩展度、屈服应力和塑性粘度的影响,进而综合评述屈服应力和塑性粘度的最优范围,对混凝土三级配粗骨料组成进行了优化.结果表明,改变粗骨料的级配组成能够明显影响混凝土的流动性和流变参数,另一方面,通过控制新拌混凝土流变参数,可以确定不同级配粗骨料的最优组配.因此,通过限定适宜的流变参数范围,可以指导混凝土的组成设计.     

A generalized approach for the determination of yield stress by slump and slump flow

The slump test (ASTM C-143) is the most common method for assessing the flow properties of fresh concrete. Although slump provides a qualitative measure of workability, the relationship between slump and more quantitative rheological parameters is not fully understood. In this study, a dimensionless model relating slump to yield stress is further developed and generalized as a function of cone geometry. Yield stress measurements of cement paste are performed using a vane technique and compared with slump measurements using cylindrical and conical geometries. The cylindrical slump model is in excellent agreement with the experimental yield stress data obtained using the vane method. The data for the conical slump measurements fit the cylindrical model at low yield stress values, but the results deviate as the yield stress of the paste increases. Most of the other slump models available in the literature, including finite element models, predict the same yield stress for a given slump when converted to dimensionless form. The results suggest that a fundamental relationship exists between yield stress and slump that is independent of the material under investigation and largely independent of cone geometry.     

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.     

A study on the effect of fine mineral powders with distinct vitreous contents on the fluidity and rheological properties of concrete

This paper presents an investigation on the effects of fine mineral powders on the fluidity and rheological properties of concrete. It was observed that the fluidity of concrete increased noticeably, and the plastic viscosity decreased, when vitreous powders were substituted partially for cement. It was found that vitreous powders have a strong dispersion effect on the fluidity and rheological properties of concrete, and this effect can be correlated with the vitreous content of the powders incorporated.     

Relationship between the Bingham parameters and slump

Viscometers in general have never been particularly popular at the jobsite. They are however well suited at the laboratory as they measure concrete consistency in terms of fundamental physical quantity, known as the yield stress and plastic viscosity. In contrast to viscometers, the slump cone is by far the most accepted tool for measuring consistency at the jobsite. This is due to its simplicity in handling. With the significance of both types of devices, it is clearly important to relate them to each other. The result of this study suggests a relationship between the yield stress and slump that depends on the concrete mixture proportions. More precisely, a particular trend line between the yield stress and slump seems to depend on volume fraction of matrix used in the concrete. The study shows a low correlation between the slump and plastic viscosity.     

氯离子在掺不同矿物质掺合料高性能混凝土中的扩散性能

采用改进型电迁移法测试了氯离子在掺不同矿物质掺合料高性能混凝土中的扩散性能．研究表明：在混凝土中分别内掺磨细矿渣、粉煤灰、硅灰、膨胀剂均可提高混凝土的抗渗透性能(Cl^-扩散系数降低),其中以单掺硅灰效果最优;在混凝土中复掺膨胀剂和磨细矿渣或膨胀剂和粉煤灰,对提高混凝土抗渗透性能的效果优于单掺二者之一,也优于单掺效果最好的硅灰混凝土．复掺膨胀剂和细掺料后混凝土内部结构进一步优化、微观结构致密、微缺陷减少,由此,开发了一种低成本配制超高抗渗性混凝土的新途径。     

Yield stress and viscosity equations for mortars and self-consolidating concrete

The rheological behavior of flowable concrete, such as self consolidating concrete is closely influenced by concreting temperature and the elapsed time. The variation of the plastic viscosity and the yield stress with the elapsed time and temperature must be accurately quantified in order to forecast the variation of workability of cement-based materials. A convenient method to study the variation of these rheological parameters is proposed, using the mortar of the concrete. This latter is designed from the concrete mixture, taking in account the liquid and solid phases with a maximum granulometry of 315 μm. Different SCC and mortars proportioned with two types of high range water reducing admixtures (HRWRA) were prepared at temperatures ranging from 10 to 33 °C. Test results indicates that the yield stress and the plastic viscosity of the mortar mixtures vary in a linear way with the elapsed time while an exponential variation of these rheological parameter is seen on SCC. In order to enhance robotization of concrete, general equations to predict the variations of the yield stress and plastic viscosity with time are proposed, using the corresponding mortar initial yield stress and plastic viscosity. Such equations, derived from existing models, can easily be employed to develop concrete design software. Experimental constants which are related to the paste fluidity or the aggregates proportioning can be extracted from a database created with either mortar or aggregates test results.     

发泡浆体流变特性对轻质混凝土匀质性的影响

为改善轻质混凝土匀质性,提升轻质混凝土力学性能,本文通过建立Herschel-Bulkley(H-B)塑性黏度计算模型,探究了发泡浆体流变特性对泡沫沉降和浆体中陶粒分布的影响。结果表明：随增稠剂掺量的增加,轻质混凝土发泡浆体的屈服应力和基于非线性H-B模型η_H-B=0.016 67K(80ⁿ-20ⁿ)(η_H-B为H-B模型得出的发泡浆体塑性黏度;K为一致性系数;n为流动指数)得到的塑性黏度增大,导致发泡浆体沉降距下降,陶粒在浆体中的分形维数提高;当发泡浆体塑性黏度大于1.74 Pa·s、屈服应力大于92.87 Pa时,可制备抗压强度大于10 MPa的轻质混凝土。由此可见,优化发泡浆体流变特性是克服陶粒在发泡浆体中易上浮问题的关键,可有效改善轻质混凝土匀质性,提升轻质混凝土力学性能。     

A DEM hard-core soft-shell model for the simulation of concrete flow

A new DEM model for the simulation of concrete flow is presented. Fresh concrete is described as an assembly of composite particles made of spherical hard grains representing coarse aggregates surrounded by concentric spherical layers representing mortar. Two kinds of simulations are carried out: rheological simulations performed in a Couette geometry and slump test simulations. Rheological simulations show that the rheological behaviour of simulated concretes can be approximated with the Bingham model. The force model used allows for a direct relation between rheological characteristics of the mortar and rheological characteristics of the simulated concrete. Slump test simulations show that the model is able to describe the shape of concrete during the flow. The yield stresses and viscosities of numerical concretes are then calculated from the slump values and slump times with equations of the literature.     

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.     

Performance of new viscosity modifying admixtures in enhancing the rheological properties of cement paste

The use of viscosity modifying admixtures (VMA) has proved to be very effective in stabilizing the rheological properties and consistency of self-compacting concrete (SCC). SCC is known for its excellent deformability, high resistance to segregation and use, without applying vibration, in congested reinforced concrete structures characterized by difficult casting conditions. Most of the commercial VMAs currently available in the market are costly and increase the price of such a concrete. Identification or production of new low-cost VMA is then essential. This paper presents the performance of four new polysaccharide-based VMAs in enhancing the rheological and consistency properties of cement paste. The study of the rheological properties and consistency of cement paste to screen the dosage and type of new VMA to be used in SCC is a promising approach. Investigation was carried out on cement pastes with combinations of various dosages of new VMAs and of a superplasticizer (SP) to study the influence on rheology, consistency and washout mass loss. A commercial VMA designated in this paper as “COM” was tested for comparison. The study on new VMAs is encouraging and confirms that pastes with satisfactory rheological and consistency properties comparable with or even better than commercial VMA can be developed. The combined use of proper dosages of VMA and SP is shown to clearly contribute to securing high-performance cement pastes that is highly fluid yet cohesive enough to reduce water dilution and enhance water retention. Attempt has also been made to correlate rheological properties (yield stress) to consistency (slump) of pastes.     

Effects of local metakaolin addition on rheological and mechanical performance of self-compacting limestone cement concrete

Various mineral additions are used in the manufacture of self-compacting concrete (SCC) to reduce the cement content and hence the CO₂ emissions and also to enhance the performance of concrete. In this paper, the results of fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting limestone cement mortar (SCLCM) and concrete (SCLCC) with metakaolin (MK) as cement replacement are reported. SCLCM properties investigated include spread flow, V-funnel flow time, yield stress, plastic viscosity and heat evolution. SCLCC fresh properties include slump flow, V-funnel flow time, J-Ring, L-Box and sieve segregation. Compressive strength of the hardened SCLCC was measured at the ages of 1, 3, 7, 28, 90, and 180?days. Moreover, water porosity, water absorption by capillarity and dynamic modulus of elasticity (E_d) tests were conducted. Test results indicated that the produced MK is of sufficient pozzolanic activity and contributes to improve the performances of concrete in particular at later stages. The addition of MK to SCLCM mixes exhibits lower heat evolution, lower yield stress, higher plastic viscosity and higher V-funnel flow time. The addition of MK to SCLCC mixes improves the rheological properties (flowability, passing ability and segregation resistance) as well as the mechanical and durability performance.     

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.     

The influence of particle size and surface coating of calcium carbonate on the rheological properties of its suspensions in molten polystyrene

The rheological properties of polystyrene melts filled with 30 vol % of CaCO₃ particles of varying particle size are described. The influence of surface coating the particles with stearic acid is considered. Generally, the compounds with the uncoated particles exhibit viscosities which increase at ever greater rates as the shear rates decrease. It appears that these compounds exhibit yield values. Elongational flow data also suggest the existence of yield values. Difficulties exist in measurement of normal stresses in compounds with sizeable yield values. The principal normal stress difference at fixed shear stress of the PS/CaCO₃ compounds is lower than that of the PS melt. The magnitude of viscosity increases and yield values increase with decreasing particle size. Coating of particles with stearic acid results in major viscosity reductions and decreases in apparent yield values. The surface coating is most effective with the smallest particles. It presumably reduces interaction between particles and the extent of aggregation.     

搅拌过程和流变性对水泥基材料中纤维分布及力学性能影响

纤维增强水泥基设计复合材料( ECC)具有高延性特征,而成型过程影响纤维在水泥基体内分布状态,进而影响ECC获得高延性性能的稳定性。本文综述了ECC搅拌过程和拌合状态下的流变性能对纤维分布的影响,重点分析了塑性黏度和屈服应力对纤维分布及力学性能的影响。结果表明：后加纤维的搅拌过程是ECC成型过程中纤维分布的最优方式;良好的塑性黏度是保证纤维均匀分布的关键,屈服应力影响纤维分布及取向分布;综合调整ECC的流变性可以保证纤维均匀分布,使硬化后ECC获得稳定的高延性。     

Rheological characterization of carbon black/polystyrene solution systems

Steady‐shear measurements of suspensions of carbon blacks (CB) in polystyrene (PS)/di‐(butyl phthalate) (DBP) solution were investigated as a function of volume fraction (?) of CB to clarify the effect of the primary particle size and the structure of CB aggregates on the rheological properties. The suspensions show a typical shear‐thinning behavior in the range of a shear rate studied. The Casson model was applied to evaluate the viscosity at infinite of shear rate η_∞ and the yield stress σ_y for the suspensions. Relative viscosity η_∞/η_m, (η_m: medium viscosity) thus obtained was compared to the high‐frequency viscosity for the ideal hard‐sphere silica suspensions to evaluate the effective volume fraction ?_eff of CB aggregates. The ?_eff value was larger for the higher‐structure CB with higher DBP absorption value, irrespective of the primary particle size. The yield stress σ_y had almost the same ?_eff dependence for neutral furnace CB/(PS/DBP) suspensions, although it was larger for acetylene black (AcB)/(PS/DBP) suspensions. These results demonstrated that the effective volume fraction is the most important quantity to characterize the CB aggregates on the rheological properties. It was also found that the correction of the medium viscosity changes due to polymer adsorption on the CB surface is important since neutral furnace CB adsorbs PS polymers but AcB hardly adsorbs PS polymers in the solution. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

硅微粉对水泥浆体流变性能的影响

运用水化热测定仪、流变仪、以及Dinger-Funk紧密堆积等方法,研究了硅微粉掺入水泥中对复合浆体的流变性能的影响,比较了不同硅微粉掺量对复合浆体的早期水化放热、紧密堆积程度、屈服应力和塑性粘度的作用.结果显示:硅微粉取代水泥后,降低浆体水化热放热量,提高了体系紧密堆积程度;Bingham流体仍适用于硅微粉-水泥复合浆体,取代5%、10%、15%水泥的复合浆体,屈服应力和塑性粘度在0、60 min时都小于纯水泥浆体,并且取代10%水泥的复合浆体,其屈服应力和塑性粘度在0、60 min时都最小,流变性能最好.     

新拌石灰石粉-偏高岭土-水泥系统流变特性研究

石灰石粉和偏高岭土复掺可以替代部分水泥,有效降低水泥制品的碳排放。采用安东帕MCR 302旋转流变仪测试了新拌石灰石粉-偏高岭土-水泥浆体系统的流变特性。通过单纯形重心法对石灰石粉-偏高岭土-水泥砂浆系统进行了试验设计,利用Viscometer 5型混凝土流变仪对不同配比砂浆的流变特性进行了测试。结果表明：随着偏高岭土掺量的增加,水泥浆体的屈服应力和塑性黏度显著增大;随着石灰石粉掺量的增加,水泥浆体的屈服应力和塑性黏度呈先增大后减小的趋势;改变砂浆胶凝材料的配比能够显著影响砂浆的流动性以及流变参数。     

礁石粉对超高强混凝土工作性能和力学性能的影响研究

采用礁石粉取代部分(0％、10％、20％以及30％)水泥时,对比研究了礁石粉对超高强混凝土(UHSC)流变性能、流动度和强度的影响,利用XRD、DTG方法研究了礁石粉对UHSC水化产物的影响.结果表明,浆体的屈服应力和塑性粘度随礁石粉掺量的增加先减小后增大,礁石粉掺量为10％时的屈服应力和塑性粘度最小分别为2.46 Pa、3.29 Pa·s;掺入适量的(≤20％)礁石粉能提高UHSC的流动度,礁石粉掺量为10％时的UHSC流动度最大为330 mm;30％以内掺入礁石粉能提高UHPC的抗压强度,且对UHSC的3 d抗压强度提高最明显;礁石粉的加入可以显著降低水泥水化放热峰值,礁石粉掺量越大,水化放热峰值降低的越明显,礁石粉的加入能明显推迟水泥水化放热达到峰值的时间;XRD和DTG结果表明礁石粉并不改变水化产物的种类.