Fluidity Performance Evaluation of Cement and Superplasticizer

Abstract

To achieve durable concrete structures, the first important step is the sound placing of concrete. Compatibility among concrete materials, an important issue for controlling the workability of concrete for sound placing, has been the object of much attention over the past decade. Every engineer wants to have reliable methods to examine the fluidity performance of cement and superplasticizers. In this study, the way to examine fluidity performance is discussed from the viewpoint of fundamental mechanisms. One important point is the deforming properties of superplasticized concrete. When fresh concrete deforms homogeneously, the workability of concrete mixtures can be explained by one basic theory of superplasticizer, i.e. proportional correlation of the adsorption amount of superplasticizer per surface area of hydrate to the fluidity. Moreover, the examination of the fluidity performance of cement and superplasticizers should consider the condition of real concrete with respect to the water-to-cement ratio and mixing procedure of materials.