Title:
Predicting Mortar Behavior through Intrinsic and Rheological Properties
Author(s):
Mouhcine Ben Aicha, Ayoub Aziz, Olivier Jalbaud, and Yves Burtschell
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
122
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
67-78
Keywords:
air-entraining admixtures (AEAs); mechanical characteristics; mortar; rheological parameters; ultrasonic velocity
DOI:
10.14359/51746715
Date:
5/1/2025
Abstract:
This study investigates the impact of air-entraining admixtures
(AEAs) on mortar performance, focusing on fresh-state and
hardened-state properties critical to durability and engineering
applications. Ten distinct mortar mixtures were analyzed, following
guidelines established by the European Federation of National
Associations Representing Producers and Applicators of Specialist
Building Products for Concrete (EFNARC). AEAs were introduced
at varying proportions (0.01 to 0.5% of cement weight) to evaluate
their effects on intrinsic properties (density, void ratio, and water
absorption), rheological parameters (plastic viscosity and yield
stress), and mechanical characteristics (compressive strength,
ultrasonic velocity, and modulus of elasticity).
Regression models were developed and yielded high predictive
accuracy, with R2 values exceeding 0.98. Notably, ultrasonic
velocity and modulus of elasticity demonstrated strong correlations
with intrinsic properties across all curing ages. Similarly,
compressive strength showed significant associations with rheological parameters, highlighting the influence of air content and flow behavior on structural performance. These findings offer precise
quantitative models for predicting mortar behavior and optimizing
formulations for enhanced performance.