Full scale pumping tests on SCC: application of the modified Hattori-Izumi theory

Studying the flow of fresh concrete is influenced by time dependency of the rheological properties of the concrete. This time dependency can be divided into two parts : the non-reversible part, being loss of workability and the reversible part, called thixotropy. Loss of workability can be neglected in some cases, when comparing with the effect of thixotropy, but it is advised to keep track of it, especially in case of SCC for precast industry. Several attempts have been made to characterize the thixotropic properties of concrete, but no general test procedure is known at this moment to universally describe thixotropy. In most cases, the study of the thixotropic properties is restricted to the area of interest of the authors, mostly the variation of static yield stress. Only one theory takes into account the influence of thixotropy on both viscosity and yield stress : the Hattori-Izumi theory, modified by J.E. Wallevik. This theory will be used to provide a qualitative description of the observed phenomena occurring during pumping of SCC, but due to the large complexity of both the theory and the practical application, a quantitative approach is beyond the scope of this study

The Effect of Sodium Polymethacrylate on the Rheology of the Positive Paste and Performance of the Lead-Acid Battery

Due to its rheological properties, positive lead-acid battery paste can be difficult to spread on lead current collectors accurately and efficiently under industry machinery and setting. Sodium polymethacrylate dispersant was studied as an effective positive paste additive that could lower the yield stress of the paste without affecting paste density and battery performance. Under a four-blade vane rheometer setup, stress growth and oscillatory amplitude strain sweep experiments evaluated the rheological properties of positive paste with the addition of varying amounts of sodium polymethacrylate. Further, the electrochemical effects of sodium polymethacrylate were also evaluated in 2V batteries by testing positive active material utilization and cycle life

The Effect of Sodium Polymethacrylate on the Rheology of the Positive Paste and Performance of the Lead-Acid Battery

Due to its rheological properties, positive lead-acid battery paste can be difficult to spread on lead current collectors accurately and efficiently under industry machinery and setting. Sodium polymethacrylate dispersant was studied as an effective positive paste additive that could lower the yield stress of the paste without affecting paste density and battery performance. Under a four-blade vane rheometer setup, stress growth and oscillatory amplitude strain sweep experiments evaluated the rheological properties of positive paste with the addition of varying amounts of sodium polymethacrylate. Further, the electrochemical effects of sodium polymethacrylate were also evaluated in 2V batteries by testing positive active material utilization and cycle life

Influence of demoulding oil on the rheological properties of fresh SCC

In concrete research centers, the determination of the rheological properties of concrete is becoming a daily business, easy to perform when the proper apparatus (and staff) are available. On the building site, rheometers are still absent, although some portable rheometers have been developed. Instead, the slump (flow) test is the only one performed to characterize the "workability" of the concrete. On the other hand, the rheological properties are very important on site, especially in case of self compacting concrete (SCC), in order to know whether the concrete can provide proper filling of the formwork, which pumping pressures will be needed, how long the concrete can wait before placement, ... The difference between laboratories and building sites is not only noticeable by the test equipment, there is also another mentality and way of thinking. In a laboratory, the scientist tries to eliminate every disturbing factor as much as possible. On site, workmen prefer to work more easily, and if necessary, they apply some "tools" to ease their jobs, sometimes not being aware of the negative consequences. Specifically in the domain of rheological characterization of concrete and its application, there is a large difference between lab and building site. In the lab, thorough cleaning of the testing materials is obtained by washing with water, but on site, as the water availability is restricted, releasing agents are applied so that the concrete does not stick to the equipment. Although these releasing agents are applied daily, very few scientific reports have been made on their influence on the rheological properties. This paper describes the influence of one type of demoulding oil on the rheological properties of SCC. No research has been performed on the causes of the differences between SCC with or without oil, so the only purpose of this paper is to show the resulting differences. Secondly, the results have been obtained in steady state, thixotropy and loss of workability have not been investigated explicitly

Full scale pumping tests on SCC: test description and results

Pumping of concrete is a daily applied process, providing the possibility of continuously filling a formwork. Reports have been created dealing with the composition and the workability of the concrete, with the maximal discharge and pressures, with the characteristics of pumps and pipes, ... On the other hand, only a very few fundamental scientific studies on this topic are available. In case of self compacting concrete (SCC), the same rules, valid for traditional concrete (TC), are applied. On the other hand, the verification of these rules, or new rules, are not reported (yet). SCC is considered as a special case of TC, having an advantageous composition for the pumping process, which should simplify the pumping and reduce the problems. This paper shows the results from a series of pumping tests. After a description of the equipment is provided, a set of surprising results is presented : SCC causes higher pressure losses, compared to TC. Further results will prove the existence of a less viscous layer near the wall, a temperature increase inside the concrete equivalent to the pressure loss and the importance of thixotropy