https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5381-2422
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Abstract
The concrete equivalent mortar (CEM) method, mainly used in the laboratory, offers a course that facilitates and accelerates experimental test programs with relatively small amounts of materials. To this end, two CEM mixes, with natural and recycled aggregates, at different superplasticizer (SP) concentrations, were tested. The key objective was to investigate how CEM flow property changed at 0, 30, and 60 min of resting time, emphasizing the material’s structuring and destructuring effects. This study describes the flow behaviour of CEMs applying specific tools. Also, a vane-geometry rheometer was used to obtain rheological flow curves. Whatever the SP content in the structuring state, the results indicated reduced flow properties over time. However, an SP content of 1.3% retard the structural build-up property that was not evident at 60 min-rest time. Spread diameters ranging between 300 and 400 mm are measured with the mini cone immediately after mixing. After 60 min of resting time, these diameters were reduced between 260 and 300 mm. Remixing after prolonged rest periods reduces the flow stress values, which decrease from 10 to 18 Pa to 6 to 14 Pa. After a structural build-up at a rest time, the structural break-down effect by remixing re-fluidifies the mixtures. The fluidity has recovered its initial state, reflecting a thixotropic property.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the IRDL staff at Univ. Bretagne Sud (France) for their assistance with this study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [Nourredine Arabi], upon reasonable request.