Properties of microfine cement grouts at 4 °C, 10 °C and 20 °C

The results of a detailed laboratory study of rheological and mechanical properties of two reference Portland cements (ASTM Type I and Type III) and seven commercial microfine cement grouts are summarized. They were tested at five water–cement (W/C) ratios, by weight, ranging from 0.5 to 1.2 and at three selected temperatures (4 °C, 10 °C and 20 °C). The properties studied were: grain size distribution, three rheological properties (viscosity, bleeding and setting time), and five mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, compressive strength, bond strength and expansion/shrinkage). It was concluded that variation in the W/C has a substantial effect on viscosity, bleeding and setting time as well as on compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the cement grouts. Only one rheological property, i.e., the setting time was influenced by the temperature variation whereas for mechanical properties, maximum compressive strength and modulus of elasticity were obtained for most of the cement grouts at 10 °C.