• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.279-292
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• 2011

The main purpose of this study includes investigation of the rheological properties of fresh self consolidating cement paste containing chemical and mineral additives using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. In order to develop the model, 200 different mixes are cast in the laboratory as a part of an extensive experimental research program. The data used in the ANN model are arranged in a format of fourteen input parameters covering water-binder ratio, four different mineral additives (calcium carbonate, metakaolin, silica fume, and limestone), five different superplasticizers based on the poly carboxylate and naphthalene and four different Viscosity Modified Admixtures (VMAs). Two common output parameters including the mini slump value and flow cone time are chosen for measuring the rheological properties of fresh self consolidating cement paste. Having validated the model, the influence of effective parameters on the rheological properties of fresh self consolidating cement paste is investigated based on the ANN model outputs. The output results of the model are then compared with the results of previous studies performed by other researchers. Ultimately, the analysis of the model outputs determines the optimal percentage of additives which has a strong influence on the rheological properties of fresh self consolidating cement paste. The proposed ANN model shows that metakaolin and silica fume affect the rheological properties in the same manner. In addition, for providing the suitable rheological properties, the ANN model introduces the optimal percentage of metakaolin, silica fume, calcium carbonate and limestone as 15, 15, 20 and 20% by cement weight, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2008

An engineered cementitious composite produced with slag particles (Slag-ECC) had been developed based on micromechanical principle. Base grain ingredients were properly selected, and then the mixture proportion was optimized to be capable of achieving robust tensile ductility in the hardened state. The rheological design is performed in the present study by optimizing the amount of admixtures suitable for self-consolidating casting and shotcreting process in the fresh state. A special focus is placed on the rheological control which is directly applicable to the construction in field, using prepackaged product with all pulverized ingredients. To control the rheological properties of the composite, which possesses different fluid properties to facilitate two types of processing (i.e., self-consolidating and shotcreting processing), the viscosity change of the cement paste suspensions over time was initially investigated, and then the proper dosage of the admixtures in the cement paste was selected. The two types of mixture proportion were then optimized by self-consolidating & shotcreting tests. A series of self-consolidating and shotcreting tests demonstrated excellent self-consolidation property and sprayability of the Slag-ECC. The rheological properties altered through this approach were revealed to be effective in obtaining Slag-ECC hardened properties, represented by pseudo strain-hardening behavior in uniaxial tension, allowing the readily achievement of the desired function of the fresh Slag-ECC. These ductile composites with self-consolidating and shotcreting processing can be broadly utilized for a variety of applications, e.g., in strengthening seismic resistant structures with congested reinforcements, or in repairing deteriorated infrastructures by shotcreting process.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2014

This paper reports an experimental study into the rheological behaviour of self consolidating concrete (SCC). The investigation aimed at quantifying the impact of the varying amounts of mineral admixtures on the rheology of SCC containing natural sand. Apart from the ordinary Portland cement (OPC), the cementitious materials such as fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and micro-silica (MS) in conjunction with the mineral admixtures were used in different percentages keeping the mix paste volume and flow of concrete constant at higher atmospheric tempterature ($30^{\circ}$ to $40^{\circ}C$). The rheological properties of SCC were investigated using an ICAR rheometer with a four-blade vane. The rheological properties of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) containing different mineral admixtures (MA) were investigated using an ICAR rheometer. The mineral admixtures were fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and micro silica (MS). The results obtained using traditional workability results are compared with those obtained using ICAR rheometer. The instrument ICAR (International Center for Aggregate Research) rheometer employed in the present study for evaluating the rhelogical behaviour of the SCC is found to detect systematic changes in workability, cementitious materials, successfully. It can be concluded that the rheology and the slump flow tests can be concurrently used for predicting the flow behaviours of SCC made with different cementitious materials.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.27-39
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• 2005

In the recent design of high ductile fiber-reinforced ECC (engineered cementitious composite), optimizing both processing and mechanical properties for specific applications is critical. This study presents an innovative method to develop new class ECCs, which possess the different fluid properties to facilitate diverse types of processing (i.e., self-consolidating or shotcrete processing) while maintaining ductile hardened properties. In the material design concept, we employ a parallel control of fresh and hardened properties by using micromechanics and cement rheology. Control of colloidal interaction between the particles is regarded as a key factor to allow the performance of the specific processing. To determine how to control the particle interactions and the viscosity of cement suspension, we first introduce two chemical admixtures including a highly charged polyelectrolyte and a non-ionic polymer. Optimized mixing steps and dosages we, then, obtained within the solid concentration predetermined based on micromechanical principle. Test results indicate that the rheological properties altered by this approach were revealed to be highly effective in obtaining the desired function of the fresh ECC, allowing us to readily achieve hardened properties, represented by pseudo strain-hardening behavior in uniaxial tension.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.561-583
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• 2018

A variety of polycarboxylate ether (PCE)-based superplasticizers are commercially available. Their influence on the rheological retention and slump loss in respect of concrete differ considerably. Fluidity and slump loss are the cardinal features responsible for the quality of concrete. These are related to the dispersion of cement particles and the hydration process which are greatly influenced by type of polycarboxylate ether (PCE)-based superplasticizers. On the backdrop of relatively less studies in the context of rheological retention of high strength self-consolidating concrete (HS-SCC), the experimental investigations were carried out aiming at quantifying the effect of the six different PCE polymers (PCE 1-6) on the rheological retention of HS-SCC mixes containing two types of Ordinary Portland Cements (OPC) and unwashed crushed sand as the fine aggregate. The tests that were carried out included $T_{500}$, V-Funnel, yield stress and viscosity retention tests. The supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash (FA) and micro-silica (MS) were also used in ternary blend keeping the mix paste volume and flow of concrete constant. Low water to binder ratio was used. The results reveal that not only the PCEs of different polymer groups behave differently, but even the PCEs of same polymer groups also behave differently. The study also indicates that the HS-SCC mixes containing PCE 6 and PCE 5 performed better as compared to the mixes containing PCE 1, PCE 2, PCE 3 and PCE 4 in respect of all the rheological tests. The PCE 6 is a new class of chemical admixtures known as Polyaryl Ether (PAE) developed by BASF to provide better rheological properties in even in HS-SCC mixes at low water to binder mix. In the present study, the PCE 6, is found to help not only in reduction in the plastic viscosity and yield stress, but also provide good rheological retention over the period of 180 minutes. Further, the early compressive strength properties (one day compressive strength) highly depend on the type of PCE polymer. The side chain length of PCE polymer and the fineness of the cement considerably affect the early strength gain.