The effect of hollow and dense aggregates on the rheology of self-compacting concrete

Introduction. Construction needs new concrete. Self-compacting concretes (SCC) are gaining popularity. The advantage of SCC is high mobility, so the emphasis is on their rheological properties. The technology continues to develop in lightweight self-compacting concretes, that combines high mobility and low density. The study of LWSCC (Light-weight self-compacting concrete) focuses on the effect of the formulation on the properties of the mixture. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the ratio of dry components on the rheological properties of LWSCC on hollow microspheres.

Materials and methods. The object of the study is LWSCC on hollow microspheres. The ratio of dry components varied depending on the target concrete density. The composition includes: Portland cement, ceramic hollow microspheres, silica additive, fractional sand (Sf), quartz powder (Sp), hyperplasticizer and water. The amount of water and the concentration of plasticizer are assumed to be constant: 0.5 and 1.4 %, respectively. The results of studies of the rheological characteristics of LWSCC were obtained. The key rheological parameters are shear stress and viscosity.

Results. Concrete mixtures with a density of 1,400 kg/m3 have a dilatant flow pattern regardless of the Sp/Sf ratio. At densities of 1,500 and 1,600 kg/m3, the flow pattern changes to pseudoplastic at Sp/Sf = 25/75. The possibility of controlling the type of flow of heavy concrete by changing the Sp/Sf is shown. The difference in flow between lightweight and heavy concrete mixtures is reflected in the dependences of shear stress and viscosity on Sp/Sf. An increase in Sp increases the shear stresses and viscosity of LWSCC, for heavy compositions, a downward-to-upward relationship is observed in the range of Sp/Sf = 25/75–75/25 at different shear rates.

Conclusions. The possibility of changing the rheological character of the flow of lightweight and heavy mixtures with changes in the studied factors is shown. A comparative analysis of rheological curves using the Ostwald – Weil equation for heavy and light concrete mixtures has been performed. The role of the dispersion of mineral aggregate and hollow microspheres in controlling the rheological properties of the studied LWSCC is considered.

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