International Concrete Abstracts Portal

The impact of clinker grinding aids (GAs) based on amine, glycol, or phenol on static yield stress (t0) of cement pastes is not well understood. Results obtained from this project have shown that GA molecules remain active after the grinding process and provide variations in cement properties, whether in the fresh or hardened states. Flowability improved and t0 decreased when the cement is ground using increased GA concentrations. This was attributed to the adsorption of these molecules onto the cement grains and saturation of surface charges, thus creating repulsive forces between neighboring particles. The decrease in t0 was particularly pronounced when phenol-based GA was used, given the presence of polycarboxylate polymers that help dispersing cement particles upon mixing with water.

The microstructure of MPEG-type polycarboxylate (PCE) copolymers, i.e. the distribution of side chains along the main chain was investigated via 13C NMR spectroscopy and the effect on the interaction with cement was determined. For this purpose, two series of polycarboxylate samples (one series synthesized by radical copolymerization, the other one via grafting/esterification) at molar ratios of –COO– to side chain of 2 to 10 were compared. The 13C NMR spectra suggest that the copolymerized PCEs possess a gradient-like distribution of side chains along the main chain while the grafted PCEs exhibit a statistical (random) repartition. Owed to those microstructural differences the grafted PCE copolymers show a tendency to adsorb in lower amount on cement. The reason is that in the copolymerized PCEs, large blocks of –COO– groups are present which exhibit high affinity to the surface of cement and therefore promote adsorption.

The economic use of chemical admixtures depends on supply chains. Therefore, in most regions ins sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the use of admixtures is not common practice. This amplifies the unfavorable framework for concrete construction such as fragmentary supply chains, high local cement prices, and unfavorable construction site facilities in this region significantly. The use of superplasticizer (SP) and stabilizing agents (STA) can enhance the concrete technology in SSA, since they can disassociate the concrete quality from external boundary influences. After providing a general overview of the peculiarities of the SSA boundary framework, economic concepts are provided, how existing material solutions can be significantly improved by the use of SPs and STAs based on locally available materials such as lignosulphonates and cassava starch. Finally a three step optimization process is described that helps developing flowable concrete based on materials that can be accessed in most locations in SSA.

The interaction of methoxy-capped poly(ethylene glycol) polymers (MPEG) and a poly(methacrylic acid) anionic polymer (PMA) from water onto sodium Montmorillonite (Na-Mmt) particles untreated or treated by calcium chloride was studied at 20°C. In the absence of Ca2+, MPEGs are able to intercalate by displacing the water molecules present in the interlayer space, as shown by XRD and TGA analyses. In contrast, the adsorbed amount of PMA remains low. The saturation of Mmt with Ca2+ prevents MPEG intercalation through replacing sodium by a stronger water coordinator in the interlayer space, but slightly increases PMA adsorption possibly through a calcium bonding mechanism. This was confirmed with PCE superplasticizers and Na- and Ca-saturated Mmt clays. Whatever the PCE, a larger amount was consumed on Na-Mmt than on Ca-Mmt. This confirms the occurrence of two consumption mechanisms: (i) a superficial adsorption via cation bonding of the carboxylate groups with anionic sites on clay surfaces, (ii) intercalation of ether units of the grafts in the interlayer space by displacement of water molecules coordinated to the exchangeable cations.

The composition of the aqueous solution in alkali-activated binders, i.e., the high alkalinity and the high ionic strength challenge chemists to design molecules exhibiting the same plasticizing effects as in cementitious materials. The highest difficulty probably lies in alkali-silicate activated systems due to the presence of multivalent silicate oligomers in solution. Reported here are new insights about the adsorption of polymers in presence of various concentrated electrolyte solutions in order to mimic the harsh conditions present in geopolymer pastes. In order to eliminate the problem of the reactivity of such systems, TiO2 nanoparticles were used as a model substrate. The adsorption of polymer molecules as well as the specific adsorption of monovalent and divalent ions is revealed. Those results are compared to the rheological characteristics of alkali-hydroxide or alkali-silicate activated geopolymers. The conclusions which can be drawn from the model system fit qualitatively very well with the classical slump tests done on real systems.