| Author(s): |
Dale P. Bentz; J T. Conway; |
| Title: |
Computer Modeling of the Replacement of Coarse Cement Particles by Inert Fillers in Low W/C Ratio Concretes: Hydration and Strength |
| Published: |
March 01, 2001 |
| Abstract: |
In concretes with water-to-cement (w/c) ratios below about 0.38, a portion of the cement particles will always remain unhydrated due to space limitations within the material. Thus, in many of the high-performance concretes currently being produced, cement clinker is in effect being wasted. This communication examines the possibility of replacing the coarser fraction of a cement powder by an inert filler, to conserve cement without sacrificing material performance. Using the NIST CEMHYD3D cement hydration model, it is demonstrated that for initial w/c ratios of 0.25 and 0.30, a portion of the coarser cement particles can be replaced by inert fillers with little projected loss in compressive strength development. Of course, the optimal replacement fraction depends on the initial w/c ratio, suggesting that blended portland/inert filler cements need to be produced with the end concrete mixture proportions in mind. This further implies that a cement/inert mixture of specific proportions will only perform optimally in a limited range of concrete mixture proportions. |
| Citation: |
Cement and Concrete Research |
| Volume: |
31 |
| Issue: |
No. 3 |
| Pages: |
pp. 503 - 506 |
| Keywords: |
blended cements;compressive strength;hydration;modeling;particle size distribution |
| Research Areas: |
Building and Fire Research |
| PDF version: |
 Click here to retrieve PDF version of paper (283KB) |
