Three-dimensional shape characterization of fine sands and the influence of particle shape on the packing and workability of mortars

Published

December 25, 2018

Author(s)

Edward Garboczi, Jeffrey W. Bullard, Pierre Estephane, Olafur Wallevik

Abstract

TThis paper studies a selection of fine sands, their particle shape and its effect on the plastic properties of mortars via the influence on the workability and packing of cementitious mixtures. Five sands from different sources were sampled, wet sieved, and classified into six size classes: 20 μm–75 μm, 75 μm–150 μm, 150 μm–300 μm, 300 μm–600 μm, 600 μm to 1.18mm and 1.18 mm–2.36 mm. Particle shape was measured and various geometrical quantities were determined for particles of each class using a combination of X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) and spherical harmonic analysis. Specimen preparation, scanning method, minimum required number of particles in a representative sample, and shape histograms are all discussed, and used to classify and compare the shape of the particles of each material type and size class. This information is then used to establish a connection between sand particle shape and the wet packing density, the workability in the form of slumpflow, and the water demand in mortar mixtures.

Citation

Cement and Concrete Composites

Volume

97

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.12.018

Local Download

Keywords

mortar, sand, rheology, sand shape, tomography, spherical harmonics

Citation

Garboczi, E. , Bullard, J. , Estephane, P. and Wallevik, O. (2018), Three-dimensional shape characterization of fine sands and the influence of particle shape on the packing and workability of mortars, Cement and Concrete Composites, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.12.018, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=925748 (Accessed November 21, 2025)