Blending different fineness cements to engineer the properties of cement-based materials

Concretes are designed to fulfil specific engineering requirements, commonly exemplified by slump, unit weight and compressive strength. One source of untapped potential for varying engineering properties of hardened concrete is the variation of the cement particle size distribution. In this study, the performance of cements prepared by blending a coarse ASTM C150 type I/II and a fine type III cement obtained from the same clinker in three different proportions is examined. Evaluated properties for pastes and mortars include compressive strength and a variety of early-age properties that can influence cracking, specifically isothermal and semi-adiabatic calorimetry, chemical shrinkage, setting times (Vicat needle) and autogenous deformation. Addition of a high-range water reducer to the type III cement and the two finest blends is investigated as a secondary variable. The properties of the blends are compared with those of the two pure starting materials using a law of mixtures. Some properties such as he...

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