Effects of packing density and water film thickness on fresh and hardened properties of ternary cement pastes

Abstract

Optimisation of the packing density of cementitious materials by the addition of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) is a way of obtaining the same service properties with less embodied energy and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. In this paper, ternary cement pastes containing metakaolin (MK) and limestone filler (LF) finer than ordinary Portland cement (OPC) were studied to evaluate the effects of these SCMs on packing density and water film thickness (WFT). The flowability of the pastes at different water to cementitious material ratios by volume ((w/cm)v = 0·5 to 1·0) was evaluated by mini-slump and Marsh cone tests to evaluate the opposite effects caused by the incorporation of finer particles (increase of free water to lubricate the particles due to higher packing and increase of specific surface area). The incorporation of LF and MK increased the flowability when (w/cm)v was increased over the optimum water demand corresponding to the maximum packing density. The rheological properties of the pastes were primarily dominated by the relative solid packing fraction and the flowability was found to be mainly governed by the WFT. The incorporation of finer particles accelerated the setting time. The reactive particles (OPC and MK) can be replaced by LF up to 20% to obtain a similar compressive strength, as validated by Powers’ model.

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

“…9,[15][16][17][18][19][20] For ground granulated blast furnace slag, this addition develops hydraulic activity, so it is able to react directly with water, forming new calcium-silicate-hydrate (CSH) phases, also enhancing the pore network and overall performance of cement-based materials. [21][22][23] Limestone addition lacks hydraulic or pozzolanic activity, 14,24 although it can act as filler, influencing in this way the microstructure and properties. On other hand, several examples of new additions, recently developed, are rice husk ash, 25 brick powder, 19 volcanic powder, 26 red mud, 27 and glass powder, 28 among others.…”

Microstructure, Durability and Mechanical Properties of Mortars Prepared Using Ternary Binders with Addition of Slag, Fly Ash and Limestone

“…On the other hand, there are additions without hydraulic or pozzolanic activity, which are also used for replacing clinker in cement production. One of the most popular is limestone, which has mainly a filler effect in cement-based materials, improving their pore size distribution, as well as their fresh and hardened properties [21][22][23].…”

Experimental Study of Reinforcing Broken Gangues by Colloid Cement Slurry

“…Some researchers have prospectively reviewed existing materials and their applications in terms of the bearing capacity of cement slurry [4]. Subsequently, the water-cement ratio of cement slurry, curing environment [5,6], material ratio, particle size, and so on were discussed [7][8][9][10].…”