Properties of self-compacting mortars with binary and ternary cementitious blends of fly ash and metakaolin

Abstract

The link between flow properties and the formulation is actually one of the key-issues for the design of self-compacting concretes (SCC). As an integral part of a SCC, self-compacting mortars (SCMs) may serve as a basis for the design of concrete since the measurement of the rheological properties of SCCs is often impractical due to the need for complex equipment. This paper discusses the properties of SCMs with mineral admixtures. Portland cement (PC), metakaolin (MK), and fly ash (FA) were used in binary (two-component) and ternary (three-component) cementititios blends. Within the frame work of this experimental study, a total of 16 SCMs were prepared having a constant water-binder (w/b) ratio of 0.40 and total cementitious materials content of 550 kg/m3. Then, the fresh properties of the mortars were tested for mini-slump flow diameter, mini-V-funnel flow time, setting time, and viscosity. Moreover, development in the compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of the hardened mortars were determined at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. Test results have shown that using of FA and MK in the ternary blends improved the fresh properties and rheology of the mixtures when compared to those containing binary blends of FA or MK.