Abstract
This paper investigated rheological properties of binder pastes for self-compacting high performance concrete. Six mixtures of self-compacting concrete were initially prepared and tested to estimate self-compacting property. Then, the binder pastes used in self-compacting concrete were tested for rheological properties using a rotary type rheometer. Binder pastes with different water-binder ratios arid flow values were also examined to evaluate their rheological characteristics. The binders were composed of ordinary Portland cement, fly ash, two types of pulverized blast-furnace slag, and limestone powder. The flow curves of binder pastes were obtained by a rotary type rheometer with shear rate control. Slump flow, O-funnel time, box, and L-flow teats were carried out to estimate self-compacting property of concrete. The flow curves of binder pastes for self-compacting concrete had negligible yield stresses and showed an approximately linear behavior at higher shear rates beyond a certain limit. Test results also indicated that the binders incorporating fly ash are more appropriate than the other types of binders in quality control of self-compacting concrete.