The Effect of Sand Type on the Rheological Properties of Self-Compacting Mortar

Abstract

In order to understand the effect of sand type on the rheological properties of self-compacting mortar, four varieties of sand, namely, quartz sand (QS), river sand (RS), and two kinds of manufactured sand, marked as MS-A and MS-B, were studied. As part of this study, the sands’ particle shape parameters, such as their length:width ratio and roundness, were determined. Mortars containing the four varieties of sand were tested using the slump flow test and the V-funnel test in oven-dried (OD) and saturated surface-dried (SSD) conditions in order to identify the water absorption, shape-related differences, and specific gravity in their rheological performance. The changing trends of the slump flows and the V-funnel times of the different mortars in OD and SSD were similar. By eliminating the influence of water absorption on mortar rheology, shape–weight parameters, such as the ratio between the length:width ratio and specific gravity (LWS) and the product of roundness and specific gravity (ROS), were defined in order to quantify the compound effects of sand type on mortar rheology. The regression analysis showed an excellent linear correlation between slump flow and both LWS and ROS, and a very good linear correlation was also demonstrated between the V-funnel time and both LWS and ROS. Based on the particle shape–weight parameters, the rheological properties of mortars can be predicted. Based on the mortar rheological threshold theory, the self-compacting mortar (SCM) zone can be drawn. The predicted SCM zone overlaps considerably with the experimental SCM zone for MS-A.

Explainable Ensemble Learning Models for the Rheological Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete

“…V-funnel flow time is an indication of how quickly SCC can fill narrow voids. Furthermore, greater V-funnel flow times indicate greater plastic viscosity [38].…”

High-Performance Construction Materials: Latest Advances and Prospects

“…The effect of sand type on the rheological properties of self-compacting mortar was studied by Yang et al [15]. Four varieties of sand, namely quartz sand, river sand, and two kinds of manufactured sand, were selected and studied.…”

Development of a Mix Design Method for Multiplexed Powder Self-Compacting Concrete Based on the Multiscale Rheological Threshold Theory

“…The initial test consisted of only a single kind of powder [13], of which n and [η] were 4.2 and 2.5, respectively. Then Zhang [17][18][19][20] researched the equivalence model for binary or ternary powder based on the test results, where the powders of the same type had the same parameters. According to his research, n and [η] of FA were 6.5, while those of LP were 7.0.…”

“…Further studies of the improvement of this mix design method were proposed. Concerning the aggregates, Zhang [15][16][17][18][19] studied the influences caused by the size, content, and shape of sand [16] and gravel [15]. Except for aggregates, the powder material had large proportions of concrete.…”

“…The minimization of the carbon footprint and the utilization of natural resources are focus issues worldwide, and substitutes for cementitious materials are an especially important concern in the application of SCC [17]. To increase the applicability of substitutable powder, Zhang studied the impact of fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LP) [18][19][20] from the viewpoint of empirical coefficients and equivalence models. Li [21][22][23] reported the quantifiable impact that the packing properties of the mortar caused and proposed the equivalent mortar film thickness.…”