Title: Influence of Superplasticizers on the Flocculation Degree of Cement Suspensions

Author(s): Lucia Ferrari and Pascal Boustingorry

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 302

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 77-92

Keywords: pumping; civil engineering concrete; viscosity; superplasticizer; phosphonate

DOI: 10.14359/51688086

Date: 6/1/2015

Abstract:
Cementitious suspensions all feature common flow characteristics when their flow curve is observed. When plotted as shear stress vs shear rate a minimum in stress is observed towards low shear rates which may be related to the hydration of cement. When plotted as apparent viscosity versus shear rate a minimum often appears towards high shear rates, beyond which the suspension enters a shear-thickening regime the origin of which remains unclear. In between these two limits of shear rate, the expected shear-thinning behaviour takes place, where apparent viscosity may be linked to a shear-rate-dependent degree of suspension flocculation. The present paper aims at shedding some light onto the origins of those features in the context of mix design and superplasticizer technology.