Rheological characterization of SCC mortars and pastes with changes induced by cement delivery

The present paper deals with the influence of different date produced cement on the rheological properties of SCC mortar/paste mixes. Twelve reference SCC mortar/paste mixes (corresponding to four different types of cement and three different levels of aggregate content) displayed workability variation due to different deliveries of cement, supplied from the same factory. Physical and chemical analysis of cements was carried out for the different deliveries. Mortar and corresponding paste mixes were characterized in fresh, hardening and hardened states. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate whether there is any kind of association within cement characteristics and between cement characteristics and SCC mortar/paste test results. Existing models for predicting the mini-slump flow diameter and the flow time of pastes were implemented and compared with experimental data. The target paste properties for different fine aggregate content were defined in terms of both empirical test results and rheological parameters, linking mortar and paste properties adequate for SCC.