Effect of agitation during the early-age hydration on thixotropy and morphology of cement paste

Abstract

The effect of agitation during the early-age hydration on thixotropy and morphology of cement paste prepared with and without superplasticizers (SP) is investigated by applying penetration test, small amplitude oscillatory shear sweep test (SAOS), isothermal calorimetric test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analyses (EDX). The results show that the agitation of cement paste during the induction period increases the heat flow rate and destroys existing structures of samples without changing the mineral composition of samples. Yet, if the agitation is applied during the acceleration period, the heat flow rate is significantly lowered and the morphology and mineral composition of samples undergo irreversible change, freshly formed syngenite is destroyed and no longer restored. The penetration force and the static yield stress grow linearly during the induction period and exponentially during the acceleration period. Agitation during the induction period destroys the structure, which causes the static yield stress and the penetration force values becoming nearly equal to zero. However, during the acceleration period, even after agitation the static yield stress and the penetration force exhibit high residual values, which indicates the impact of hydration to the structural build-up.