Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596

Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect

Construction and Building Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Influence of cement properties on new generation superplasticizers performance

Jacek Gołaszewski
Silesian University of Technology, ul. Akademicka 5, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

h i g h l i g h t s

" Fifty seven cements with laboratory regulated properties were examined.
" Nature of influence of cement on rheology of superplasticized mixes was presented.
" Influence on PC and PE performance have in turn: C3A, Ssc, Na2Oe and its interaction.
" PC and PE performance decreases when Ssc, C3A, Na2Oe increases.
" Method of assessment of cement–superplasticizer compatibility was proposed.

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: In the paper are presented the results of investigation into the influence that specific surface Ssc, C3A,
Received 22 January 2012 Na2Oe and SO3 content have in cement and the interaction of these factors on PC and PE superplasticizer
Received in revised form 10 April 2012 performance. In order to obtain unequivocal relationships, laboratory—prepared cements were used. The
Accepted 25 April 2012
composition and specific surface of those cements were changed strictly according to an assumed
research plan, while other properties were kept constant. In order to make the achieved relationships
as useful as possible for creating the workability of SCC and HPC, the research was conducted on mortars.
Keywords:
Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cement
Mortar
Fresh concrete
Rheology
Superplasticizer
Workability

1. Introduction is to deflocculate the cement paste and to increase the amount of

The required workability of cement binder mixtures, that is
fresh mortar and concrete, is usually achieved by adjusting
rheological properties of the mixture to a given method of concrete
processing, according to Aïtcin [1]. The rheological properties of
the mixture result from its composition and main constituent char-
acteristics. Therefore, sine qua non in designing the workability of
cement binder mixture is identification of the relationships
between the composition and constituent characteristics and the
rheological properties of the mixture.
The main technological problem in the production of new gen-
eration concrete such as high performance (HPC) or self-compact-
ing (SCC) concrete is the conflict between low water to binder
(water to powder) ratio and the required high workability. Rheo-
logical properties of SCC or HPC mixtures can be adjusted ade-
quately to the method and conditions of concrete processing by
using superplasticizers only. The main task of the superplasticizers
E-mail address: jacek.golaszewski@polsl.pl
free water in the mixture. Hence, they enable one to obtain the
beneficial rheological properties of the mixture, and consequently
achieve any one of the following results: (1) improvement in con-
crete strength and durability due to the reduced amount of water
in the mixture, whilst preserving the established workability or
(2) improvement in workability without alteration of the amount
of water in the mixture, which simplifies the concrete production
process. To assure the required workability of HPC or SCC, the fol-
lowing superplasticizers are usually used: (1) salts of naphthalene
sulphonate formaldehyde polymers (SNFs), (2) carboxylic poly-
mers (polymers and co-polymers of carboxylic acrylic acid) (PC)
or (3) carboxylic ethers (PEs) (Aïtcin [1], Collepardi [8] and by De
Schutter et al. [11]).
The working mechanism of superplasticizers lies in its absorp-
tion of minerals and hydrates on the cement surface, then the dis-
persion of cement grains due to electrostatic repulsion and/or
steric hindrance effect, and to the lesser degree, due to decrease
of the water surface tension and the greasing effect, as seen in
the works by Collepardi [9], Jolicoeur and Simard [24], Kucharska
[28], Ramachandran [39], Yamada [48], Kurdowski [29]. The SNF

0950-0618/$ - see front matter Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.070
 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596
superplasticizer mechanism of action is usually explained by
means of the theory of electrical double layer (DLVO), and has been
confirmed by numerous studies, summarised amongst other by
Ramachandran [39], Collepardi [9], Jolicoeur and Simard [24] and
Kucharska [28], Kurdowski [29]. More recent studies suggest that
steric hindrance effect also takes a role in this type dispersant.
The major mechanism of PC and PE superplasticizers is steric hin-
drance effect. Due to adsorption, polymers of these superplasticiz-
ers create a steric barrier on cement grains, hindering the
emergence of conglomerates. This mechanism of the PE and PC
superplasticizer action has been confirmed by numerous studies
as well, for instance Shonaka et al. [41], Tanaka et al. [45], Kinosh-
ita et al. [27], Nawa et al. [35], Yamada and Hanehara [50],
Sugiyama et al. [43], Yamada [48] and Kurdowski [29].
The effectiveness of superplasticizers depends on varying tech-
nological factors. The factors could be divided into three groups:
(1) concrete constituent characteristics (mainly cement, superp-
lasticizer and mineral additives characteristics), (2) mixture
proportions (water to binder ratio, superplasticizer, cement and
mineral additives content, presence of other chemical admixtures
in mixture, the extent to which the aggregate composition is filled
with cement paste or mortar) and (3) the methods and conditions
of concrete production (order of addition, temperature of the mix-
ture, time passed since end of mixing), as seen in the paper by
Gołaszewski [14].
It is commonly accepted that the influence of superplasticizer
on rheology of cement binder mixture depends primarily on the
superplasticizer and cement characteristics and their interaction
(that is cement–superplasticizer compatibility). Among these, the
following could be listed as the most significant: cement chemical
and mineralogical compositions (especially C3A and alkali content,
content and type of calcium sulphate), cement fineness (or its spe-
cific surface), the microstructure and crystalline form of clinker
minerals, superplasticizer dosage (amount of superplasticizer ad-
sorbed per unit surface area of cement hydrates), chemical nature
and structure and molecular mass of the superplasticizer polymers,
superplasticizer addition order, as proved by Jiang et al. [23], Yam-
ada [48], Yamada [49] and by Kurdowski [29].
Superplasticizers PC and PE fluidize the mixture more effec-
tively than SNF. Research by Bonen and Sarkar [6], Costa et al.
[10], Kim et al. [26] and Magarotto et al. [31] show a better perfor-
mance of superplasticizers with larger molecular mass. However,
research by Kinoshita et al. [27], Nawa et al. [35], Sugiyama et al.
[43], Shonaka et al. [41], Yamada and Hanehara [50], Tanaka
et al. [45], Maeder and Schober [30] and by Hamada et al. [19]
show that the stronger fluidizing effect of PE and PC is not a result
of their large molecular mass, but rather the spatial structure of the
polymers that form these superplasticizers. With similar molecular
mass, superplasticizers containing longer side chains fluidize the
mixture more effectively, but at the same time, the mixture viscos-
ity is usually higher.
Numerous studies, e.g. Ramachandran [39], Costa et al. [10],
Matsuhisa et al. [32], Moulin and Broyer [33], Prince et al. [38],
Gołaszewski and Szwabowski [17], Gołaszewski [14], Vikan et al.
[47], Kadri et al. [25] and Kurdowski [29], reveal that with the
constant amount of superplasticizer addition, mixtures made of
cements with low content of C3A are characterised by a higher de-
gree of flow. According to Bonen and Sarkar [6], Hanna et al. [20]
and Vikan et al. [47] cement paste flow decreases with an increase
in C3A amount and specific surface area of cement, whereas
according to Maeder and Schober [30] the increase in C3A/Ca2SO4
ratio in cement causes a decrease in the fluidizing effect of SNF
superplasticizers. Fluidizing of the paste by SNF in presence of cal-
cium sulphate dihydrate is considerably higher than with its hemi-
hydrated form (Bonen and Sarkar [6], Nawa and Euguchi [34]).
When the content of C3A and alkali in cement is low, the form of
587
calcium sulphate has no major influence on the cement paste flu-
idization (Baragano and Macias [5]). When the content of soluble
alkali in cement is in-between 0.5% and 0.8%, the fluidization of
the paste and the mixture by SNF is the highest, as seen in papers
by Tanaka et al. [45] and Golaszewski [15]. The mechanism of this
influence has been presented in detail in the paper by Tanaka et al.
[45]. The fluidizing effect of PC and PE is smaller when cements
with a high content of soluble alkali are used, as proven by Yamag-
uchi et al. [52] Matsuhisa et al. [32], Yamada and Hanehara [50], by
Magarotto et al. [31], Moulin and Broyer [33] and Gołaszewski and
Szwabowski [17]. According to Sugiyama et al. [43] and Yamada
[48] this result could be explained by a reduction in the steric
effect because of the change in conformation of both main and lat-
eral chains due to the influence of SO2 4 ions.
Together with an increase in the cement’s specific surface, the
yield value of the mixture increases and the plastic viscosity de-
creases, as proven by Gołaszewski and Szwabowski [18] and Serdar
Aydın et al. [40]. With a finer cement, the influence of the superp-
lasticizer on cement paste fluidity decreases, regardless of the type
of admixture used, as described by Nawa and Euguchi [34] and
Vikan et al. [47]. The effect that cement fineness has on cement–
superplasticizer interaction seems to be largely dependent on the
chemical composition of the cement (Gołaszewski and Szwabow-
ski [18], Vikan et al. [47] and Serdar Aydın et al. [40]).
PC and PE usually maintain fluidization of the cement paste and
cement binder mixture at a fixed level for 60 min and more.
Amongst amount of superplasticizer adsorbed into hydrates and
charge density given by superplasticizer, the steric chemical struc-
ture of polymers may be important, the longer main or side chains
allow the mixture to maintain a longer fluidization period. (Houst
et al. [22], Nawa et al. [35], Yamada et al. [51], Schober and Flatt
[42]). Sometimes fluidity gain can be observed, as seen in paper
by Yamada [48]. A higher addition of superplasticizer reduces the
flow loss with time; unabsorbed superplasticizer remaining in
the solution is thought to be a key. Rapid flow loss is a character-
istic for cement pastes with low superplasticizer addition or made
of cements which consume them quickly (Bonen and Sarkar [6],
Kim et al. [26], Yamada and Hanehara [50]). The flow loss increases
together with the increase in both the specific surface and C3A con-
tent in cement (Gołaszewski and Szwabowski [18], Serdar Aydın
et al. [40]). The amount and form of calcium sulphate also influ-
ences the flow loss, in this case, however, it is hard to present
the unequivocal tendency. The flow loss changes alongside the io-
nic strength of the solution phase (Bonen and Sarkar [6], Yamada
[48]) and is dependent on the content of soluble alkali in cement.
In the case of mixtures with SNF, it is lowest at the 0.4–0.5% of
alkali content, while in pastes with PC and PE addition, it usually
increases with the increase in alkali content.
Selecting a superplasticizer and cement which are compatible,
which ensures achieving the required workability of the mixture,
is the key problem in designing a HPC and SCC concrete with a
low water to binder (water to powder) ratio. In spite of numerous
studies, main findings presented above, the right selection still
cannot be undertaken from the physical or chemical characteristics
of the materials and is generally based on trial and error methods.
There is still a need for systematic studies enabling unequivocal
determination of the nature that cement characteristics has on
PC and PE performance, as well as the influence of the correlation
between these factors. In most of the conducted studies manufac-
tured cements were used, which differ significantly from each
other not only in the investigated factors, but also in numerous
others. Such differences may significantly influence the relation-
ship obtained in the research. Thus, determination of the influence
that a single cement characteristic has cannot be made unless
there is only one variable differentiating the cements from one
other.
588 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596

Furthermore, the majority of published research concerning the Table 1

influence of cement properties on superplasticizer performance Variable and constant factors in research.

has been conducted on cement pastes. Unfortunately, rheology of Factor Levels of factor
cement pastes and fresh concrete differ significantly [4]. Thus, rhe- Variable factors Cement specific surface Swc 320, 370, 420 m2/kg
ological parameters of cement paste, although very useful for C3A content in cement 2%, 7%, 12%
understanding the mechanism of cement/superplasticizer compat- Na2Oe content in cement 0.3, 0.7, 1.1%
ibility, should be used with caution for adjusting workability. SO3 content in cement 2.5, 3.0, 3.5%
Superplasticizer type PC, PE1, PE2 acc. Table 6
The aim of this paper is to present the results of investigation Constant factors Sand type and cement to acc. PN EN 196-1
into the influence that specific surface Ssc, C3A, Na2Oe and SO3 con- sand ratio
tent in cement and the interaction of these factors have on PC and w/c Ratio w/c = 0.45
PE superplasticizer performance. Based on that, the attempt was Superplasticizer dosage PC, PE2 2%
PE1 3%
made at the evaluation and gradation of the influence each cement
Temperature 20 °C
component has on the PE and PC performance. In order to obtain
unequivocal relationships, laboratory-prepared cements were
used. Composition and specific surface area of cements used in re-
search were changed strictly according to research plan, while the
the resistance of the flow depends on plastic viscosity gpl; the higher the plastic vis-
other properties were kept constant. Additionally, on the basis of cosity of the mixture is, the slower its flow. The parameter of particular importance
statistical analysis of research results, a simple relationship has for workability of the mixture is the yield stress so – its value determines the
been formulated, enabling for preliminary (based on composition occurrence of flow of the mixture, and, in consequence, the accurate realisation of
parameters) evaluation of the influence cement has on perfor- technological processes of concrete production. The technological meaning of the
plastic viscosity gpl is marginal in normal concretes with a relatively high water to
mance of PE and PC, as well as cement comparison and gradation
binder ratio. However, in the HPC and SCC mixtures, which are characterised by
based on compatibility with said superplasticizers. In order to low water to binder ratio and by high flow degree (low yield stress so) obtained
make the achieved relationships as useful as possible for adjusting thanks to addition of the superplasticizer, the plastic viscosity gpl is of significance
the workability of SCC and HPC, the research was conducted on for their workability. In the case of SCC, plastic viscosity should be optimised taking
into account both the required mixture stability (high plastic viscosity gpl needed)
mortars [14].
and the ability of the mixture to fill formworks to capacity and self – deaerate
(low plastic viscosity gpl needed).
2. Experiment details

2.1. Rheology of cement mixtures

2.2. Variables and research program

Usually performance of superplasticizer is tested on cement paste. Till now, a

The variable and constant factors in research are presented in Table 1.
large number of studies concerning the influence of superplasticizers on fresh ce-
The range of changes in cement composition was assumed, based on analysis of
ment paste and concrete rheology have been done. On the basis of these, it may
the variability of CEM I cements manufactured in Poland. The specific surface of the
be stated that the influence of different technological factors on rheological proper-
these cements ranges between 300 and 450 m2/kg and for classes 32.5, 42.5 and
ties of cement paste and fresh concrete is not always unambiguous. In many cases it
52.5 amounts respectively to 320 ± 20 m2/kg, 370 ± 30 m2/kg and 420 ± 20 m2/kg.
is not possible to unequivocally predict the effects superplasticizer type and content
Cements are characterised by the content of C3A ranging between 2% and 12%, usu-
have on fresh concrete rheology and its changes over time basing only on tests con-
ally above the 7% mark. The content of alkali Na2Oe in cements varies from 0.3% to
ducted on cement (Ferraris and Gaidis [12], Ramachandran [39], Szwabowski [44],
1.1%. The addition of calcium sulphate SO3 to cement is determined by the content
Banfill [4], Gołaszewski [13]). The main reason is that the rheological properties of
of C3A and alkali and by the specific surface of the cement; cements containing an
cement paste and fresh concrete mixtures differ from each other. The rheology of
addition of gypsum at levels of 2.5–3.5% SO3 usually reveal normal process of bond-
cement paste is dominated by the water–cement ratio, while the rheology of fresh
ing (Kurdowski [29]).
mortars and concrete is dominated by the aggregate size and mass effects (Szwa-
Superplasticizers were chosen based on preliminary research which covered
bowski [44], Banfill [4]). During the flow test cement paste reveals nonlinear char-
testing the performance of a wide range of manufactured PC and PE. The tests were
acteristics and tixotropic effects (in many cases cement paste rheological behaviour
conducted on mortars from CEM I cement with a specific surface of 370 m2/kg, 7%
cannot be characterised using Bingham) as discovered by Atenzi et al. [2]. The rela-
content of C3A, 0.7% content of Na2Oe and 3% content of SO3 (a central point of the
tionship between cement paste rheology and concrete rheology has never been
research plan). It was assumed that the allowable yield stress g for these mortars in
completely established. In addition, measurement and assessment of cement paste
the primary research should reach 15 N mm. Three superplasticizers with differing
rheological parameter results are much more strongly influenced by experimental
properties and differing influence on the rheological properties of mortars were
techniques and methods than in the case of mortar and concrete (Ferraris and Gai-
chosen (Fig. 1, Table 6). In order to attain the set extent for yield stress g, an addition
dis [12], Banfill [4], Gołaszewski [14]).
of 2% PE2 and PC is essential (which in relationships to their concentrations reaches
At the same time, studies on rheology of mortars and concretes indicate that re-
0.72% and 0.80%) and 3% PE1 (0.54% once again in relationship to concentration).
sults of rheological measurements obtained for mortars may be suitable for predic-
With the same yield stress g after 10 min, mortar with PE1 has smaller plastic vis-
tion of fresh concrete rheology (Banfill [3], Helm and Hornung [21], Norberg et al.
cosity h than the mortars with PE2 and PC. With time, the rheological properties of
[36], Yen et al. [53], Banfill [4], Petit et al. [37], Gołaszewski [16]). Fresh concrete
mortars with PE2 do not change, and mortar with PC shows a reduction of plastic
is a mixture of cement, aggregate and water with or without mineral additives
viscosity h. Simultaneously, the mortar with PE1 is characterised by the largest
and chemical admixtures, before the start of cement setting. That definition covers
changes with time in both rheological parameters. This is most likely caused by
also mortar – it can be considered to be concrete without coarse aggregate. From a
the smaller amount of effective substance PE1 in the mixture than in either case
physical point of view, the structures of both of these materials and thus the phe-
PE2 and PC. Thanks to this, the polymers PE2 and PC continue to adsorb, whereas
nomena occurring inside are of a similar nature. Simple proposals of relationships
PE1 is already consumed. However, basing on Fig. 1 it is possible to declare that
connecting numerically the rheology of mortar and concrete were given in papers
the mortar with PE1 even with analogical amounts of effective polymer, is charac-
by Helm and Hornung [21], by Norberg et al. [36] and by Gołaszewski [16]. It should
terised by a greater growth in the yield stress. This confirms that the longer side
be noted that yield stress so and plastic viscosity gpl increase together with the in-
chains of polymers ensure a lengthened fluidity in time.
crease in maximum particle size (Banfill [4], Szwabowski [44]). Therefore, rheolog-
The research program was planned in a manner making it possible, on the basis
ical parameters of concrete are evidently higher than that of mortars. The issues of
of analysis of variance (ANOVA), to define the significance and hierarchy of influ-
rheology of mortars and concrete are discussed in detail in paper by Banfill [4].
ence of cement characteristics on the rheological properties of superplasticized
So far laboratory studies have shown, and it is commonly accepted, that the rhe-
mortars. The research program and blocks are presented in Table 2. A particular ser-
ological behaviour of mortar and concrete may be sufficiently described by the
ies of tests for individual blocks were performed on the basis of central composite
Bingham model according to equation:
2^3 + star experiment design accepting polynomial of a second degree with second
s ¼ so þ gpl  c_ ð1Þ order interactions as a response function. The tests for an individual block is pre-
sented in Table 3. The mixes were produced and tested in random order, which is
where s (Pa) is the shear stress at shear rate c_ (s1) and so (Pa) and gpl (Pa s) are the one of the requirements of factorial experimental design. In total, 57 cements and
yield stress and plastic viscosity respectively (Szwabowski [44], Tattarsall and Banfill 3 PC and PE superplasticizers were tested, which gives 171 mix combinations. Final-
[46]). Yield stress determines the value of shear stress necessary for initiating flow. ly, 18 mixes with manufactured cements were produced to establish the accuracy
When the shear stress s surpasses the yield stress so, flow of the mixture occurs, and of the obtained relation.
 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596 589

Fig. 1. Influence of researched superplasticizers on rheological properties of mortars.

Table 2 T ¼ g þ hN ð2Þ
Research program.
where g (Nm) and h (Nm s) are rheological constants corresponding to yield stress so
Block SP type and Ssc, (m2/kg) C3A (%) Na2Oe (%) SO3 (%) and plastic viscosity gpl respectively (Tattarsall and Banfill [46]). After determining
content (%) the measurement constants of rheometer, one may if necessary, represent the values
g and h in physical units. According to Banfill [3], in the apparatus like the one used
1 PC 320 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
in this work, so = 7.9 g and gpl = 0.78 h, but all results are given below in terms of
2 370 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
yield stress g and plastic viscosity h. Theoretical basis and rules for rheological
3 420 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
measurements are discussed widely in monographic studies by Banfill [4] and
4 PE1 320 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
Tattarsall and Banfill [46].
5 370 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
The mixer and mixing procedure were compliant with EN 196-1; superplasti-
6 420 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
cizers were added with water. After mixing the samples of mortars were transferred
7 PE2 320 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
to Viskomat PC rheometer (Fig. 2) and tested accordingly to the procedure shown in
8 370 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
Fig. 3. This procedure roughly simulates the process of mixing and transporting the
9 420 2/7/12 0.3/0.7/1.1 2.5/3.0/3.5
concrete mixture in a truck concrete mixer. Because measurement at the constant
velocity of the impeller rotation enables only the investigation of shear resistance
(which at a given speed consists of yield value and plastic viscosity), at 10 and
2.3. Materials and mixes 60 min the rotation speed was changed from 120 to 20 min1 to define the rheolog-
ical parameters from flow curves.
Cements were prepared in semi-technological method by grinding in ball grin- The rate of sample segregation during measurement was checked by testing dif-
der clinker (of assumed in research plan amount of C3A and alkali) with sulphuric ferences in grading between the upper, bottom, inner and outer parts of the sample.
regulator of cement setting (in quantity of SO3 resultant from research plan), up It was demonstrated in (Gołaszewski [14]), that the differences in sample grading
to obtaining the established in research specific surface. Usually, as the regulator are in most cases lower than 5% and never exceed 10% when the shear resistance
of cement setting are used the sulphuric regulators such as gypsum, natural anhy- T of sample is higher than 10 N mm at rotation speed N = 60 min1. Thus, in relation
drite and synthetic materials, usually synthetic gypsum. Often the mixture of those to the obtained results, it can be stated that the probability of segregation of a mor-
materials is used. In the research, natural gypsum was chosen as a typical setting tar sample during the test is low. The correlation coefficients, calculated from the
time regulator. The conditions of producing the laboratory cement (temperature flow curves used to determine rheological parameters of the mixes, are in a range
of grinding) ruled out the possibility of dehydratation of part of gypsum and forma- of 0.95–0.99 with less than 5% falling below 0.90. The mean relative errors of rhe-
tion calcium sulphate hemi-hydrate. The main properties of laboratory prepared ological parameters g and h determination are respectively 5.4% and 8.4%. They are
CEM I cements are presented in Table 4. The clinker composition was determined in the same range as in other research and prove that the Bingham model is ade-
basing on chemical analysis (using the Bogue’s formula), verifying the obtained re- quate for describing the rheological properties of mortars. In the research range,
sults by quantitative analysis XRD. the effects of segregation were not observed.
Additionally, manufactured cements were used for control tests. Their proper-
ties are presented in Table 5. The properties of superplasticizers used are presented
in Table 6. In order to eliminate the influence of type and grading of sand on the 3. Results and discussion
rheological properties of mortars, EN 196-1 CEN model sand (2 mm max.) was used.
The proportions of mortar mixture were based on standard mortar proportioning The influence of the cement specific surface and the content of
according to EN 196-1 but with w/c ratio changed to 0.45. Mixture proportions C3A, Na2Oe and SO3 in cement on rheological parameters of mor-
are shown in Table 7.
tars with PE1, PE2, PC are shown in Figs. 4–6. The variance analysis
of factor research in the influence of the cement specific surface
2.4. Mortar mixing and testing procedures and of the C3A, Na2Oe, and SO3 content in cement on the rheolog-
ical properties of the mortars is shown in Tables 8–10. It was found
The rheological parameters of mortar or fresh concrete can be measured by
applying no less than two considerably different rotation speeds N and measuring
that yield stress g of mortars with PC and PE depends successively
the resulting torque T. The rheological parameters are determined by regression on: (1) C3A content in cement, (2) Na2Oe content in cement, (3)
analysis according to the relation: cement specific surface Ssc and subsequently on the interaction

Table 3
Research program for individual block according to Table 2.

Number of test 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
C3A content 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 7 7 7 7 7 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Na2Oe content 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.3 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 1.1 1.1 1.1
SO3 content 2.5 3 3.5 3 2.5 3 3.5 3 2.5 3 3.5 3 2.5 3 3.5 3 2.5 3 3.5
590 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596

Table 4
Properties of laboratory prepared cements.

Cement Cement composition (%) Swc (m2/kg)

SiO2 CaO Al2O3 Fe2O3 MgO Na2Oe SO3 C3S C2S C3A C4AF
1 22.4 66.6 4.3 5.5 0.8 0.3 2.5 60 19 2 17 320/370/420
2 22.4 66.7 4.3 5.5 0.8 0.3 3.0 60 19 2 17 320/370/420
3 22.4 66.6 4.3 5.5 0.8 0.3 3.5 60 19 2 17 320/370/420
4 22.4 66.6 4.3 5.5 0.8 0.7 3.0 60 19 2 17 320/370/420
5 22.4 66.6 4.3 5.5 0.8 1.1 2.5 60 19 2 17 320/370/420
6 22.4 66.6 4.3 5.5 0.8 1.1 3.0 60 19 2 17 320/370/420
7 22.4 66.6 4.3 5.5 0.8 1.1 3.5 60 19 2 17 320/370/420
8 23.3 66.6 4.7 3.5 0.91 0.3 3.0 52 28 7 9 320/370/420
9 23.3 66.6 4.7 3.5 0.91 0.7 2.5 52 28 7 9 320/370/420
10 23.3 66.6 4.7 3.5 0.91 0.7 3.0 52 28 7 9 320/370/420
11 23.3 66.6 4.7 3.5 0.91 0.7 3.5 52 28 7 9 320/370/420
12 23.3 66.6 4.7 3.5 0.91 1.1 3.0 52 28 7 9 320/370/420
13 20.3 65.8 6.6 3.1 1.58 0.3 2.5 58 15 12 10 320/370/420
14 20.3 65.8 6.6 3.1 1.58 0.3 3.0 58 15 12 10 320/370/420
15 20.3 65.8 6.6 3.1 1.58 0.3 3.5 58 15 12 10 320/370/420
16 20.3 65.8 6.6 3.1 1.58 0.7 3.0 58 15 12 10 320/370/420
17 21.2 66.3 6.4 2.8 2.70 1.1 2.5 59 16 12 9 320/370/420
18 21.2 66.3 6.4 2.8 2.70 1.1 3.0 59 16 12 9 320/370/420
19 21.2 66.3 6.4 2.8 2.70 1.1 3.5 59 16 12 9 320/370/420

Table 5
Properties of cements used in control tests.

Cement Cement composition (%) Cement specific surface (m2/kg)

SiO2 CaO Al2O3 Fe2O3 MgO Na2Oe SO3 C3S C2S C3A C4AF
CEM I 32.5 19.50 61.5 5.80 2.80 1.37 0.83 2.7 60 19 11 9 329
CEM I 42.5 20.02 66.94 4.46 3.82 1.87 0.81 2.5 63 10 5 12 350
CEM I 42.5 20.38 64.06 4.77 2.50 2.14 1.10 2.5 60 13 8 8 379
CEM I 42.5 22.55 64.30 4.39 2.98 1.02 0.65 2.5 47 30 7 9 356
CEM I 42.5 21.61 64.41 4.46 2.24 1.25 0.40 3.1 55 21 9 7 383
CEM I 52.5 20.7 64.8 5.1 2.6 1.2 0.75 3.5 57 21 9 9 420

Table 6
Properties of superplasticizers.

SP Base component Density Concentration

(g/cm3) (%)
PE1 Polyether (low molecular weight, 1.09 18
short side chains)
PE2 Polyether (high molecular weight, 1.05 36
long side chains)
PC Polycarboxylate acid (highest molecular 1.06 40
weight, longest main chain, shortest side
chains)

Table 7
Composition of mortar (g/batch).

w/c Cement Sand Water SP content Fig. 2. Viskomat PC and its measuring element.

0.45 450 1350 202.5 PC2%; PE2 2%; PE1 3%

may cause slight variations in the rheological parameters of mor-

of the following factors: (4) content of C3A in cement and specific
surface of cement Ssc, (5) Na2Oe content in cement and the specific
surface of cement Ssc and (6) C3A and Na2Oe content in cement.
Simultaneously, plastic viscosity h of the mortars depends mostly
on the type of superplasticizer used; the cement properties are a
factor of significantly lesser importance. In relation to cement
properties, the plastic viscosity h depends successively on: (1) ce-
ment specific surface, (2) Na2Oe content in cement, (3) C3A content
in cement, and marginally on the interaction of these factors. It was
found that the influence of SO3 content in tested cement on rheo-
logical properties of mortars with PC and PE is insignificant. Only in
the case of cements of high C3A content, changes in SO3 content
tars (Fig. 7). The lack of influence of SO3 content on rheology of
tested mortars does not mean that the influence of its content will
be always insignificant. The effect of SO3 may also appear in the
case of a differing cement production method or other, especially
synthetic setting regulators. The results of the tests indicate that
when SO3 content in cement is properly matched (in a range from
2.5% to 3.5%), other characteristics of the cement are decisive for
rheological parameters of mortars. It is also necessary to note that
the testing procedure for the rheological characteristics of the
mortars, assumed especially for simulating the conditions during
concreting (with generally high shear rates, which are kept con-
stant over longer periods of time), are not conducive to testing
the effects on gypsum (avoidance of crystalisation).
 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596 591

Fig. 3. Measurement of rheological parameters of mortars.

2% PC superplasticizer

3% PE1 superplasticizer

2 % PE2 superplasticizer
Fig. 4. The effect of cement specific surface Ssc and C3A and Na2Oe content in cement on yield stress g of mortars with PC, PE1 and PE2 superplasticizers.
592 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596
Changes in the specific surface of cements with 2% content of
C3A influence insignificantly yield stress g of mortars with PC
and PE superplasticizers. Simultaneously, the increase in cement
specific surface Ssc causes the rise of yield stress g for mortars made
of cements with 7% and 12% content of C3A. The higher the range of
this rise, the larger the C3A and Na2Oecontent is in the cement. Fur-
thermore, it is lowest in cements with PE2 addition, thus with a
superplasticizer with polymers characterised by long side chains.
The increase in the cement specific surface Ssc causes a decrease
in plastic viscosity h of mortars. The range of this decrease depends
on the type of superplasticizer (it is lower in mortars with PE2) and
to a lesser degree on the C3A content in cement (it is lowest in mor-
tars made of cement with 2% C3A content).
The range of changes with time in rheological parameters of
mortars with PC and PE depends on the C3A content and the type
of superplasticizer, and only subsequently on the cement specific
surface Ssc. Always, regardless of cement constitution and type of
superplasticizer used, alongside the increase in cement specific
2% PC superplasticizer
3% PE1 superplasticizer
2% PE2 superplasticizer
Fig. 5. The effect of cement specific surface Ssc and C3A and Na2Oe content in cement on plastic viscosity h of mortars with PC, PE1 and PE2 superplasticizers.
surface Ssc, there increases with time a range of changes in the rhe-
ological parameters for tested mortars. It should be brought to the
reader’s attention that the plastic viscosity h of mortars, regardless
of the content of C3A in cement and its specific surface, decreases
with time. This effect, widely discussed in (Gołaszewski [13]), is
typical for mortars with relatively low w/c ratio (w/c < 0.50) and
small cement paste volume (factor of uncompacted sand filling
by cement paste um/p < 2.40).
The nature of the influence of C3A and Na2Oe content in cement
on the rheological properties of fresh mortars depends on the ce-
ment specific surface Ssc. Yield stress g of cement mortars with
Ssc = 320 m2/kg is practically independent of the content. Yield
stress g of cement mortars with Ssc = 370 and 420 m2/kg increases
in conjunction with the increase in C3A content and decreases
while the content of Na2Oe in cement increases. However, in the
case of some superplasticizers, this effect could, depending on
the specific surface of cement and the Na2Oe content in cement,
be of a different nature.
 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596 593

Fig. 6. The effect of SO3 content in cement on rheological parameters of mortars with PC and PE superplasticizers.

Table 8
Analysis of variance of influence of cement specific surface and C3A, Na2Oe and SO3 content in cement on rheological parameters of w/c = 0.45 mortars with PE1 superplasticizer.

Source of variation g After 10 min h After 10 min g After 60 min h After 60 min
F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level
A: Cement specific surface Swc 1.797 0.179 24.948 0.000 0.718 0.494 11.095 0.000
B: C3A content 55.485 0.000 2.687 0.081 84.014 0.000 38.895 0.000
C: Na2Oe content 11.368 0.000 7.031 0.003 0.967 0.389 0.564 0.574
D: SO3 content 1.390 0.261 0.335 0.717 0.102 0.903 0.063 0.939
AB 9.729 0.000 0.988 0.425 4.403 0.005 4.300 0.006
AC 8.200 0.000 4.572 0.004 4.867 0.003 2.615 0.050
AD 0.353 0.841 0.230 0.920 0.160 0.957 0.422 0.792
BC 7.275 0.000 7.358 0.000 1.293 0.290 0.621 0.651
BD 1.394 0.254 0.788 0.540 0.265 0.899 0.847 0.504
CD 0.333 0.854 0.688 0.605 1.729 0.164 0.264 0.899

Table 9
Analysis of variance of influence of cement specific surface and C3A, Na2Oe and SO3 content in cement on rheological parameters of w/c = 0.45 mortars with PE2 superplasticizer.

Source of variation g After 10 min h After 10 min g After 60 min h After 60 min
F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level
A: Cement specific surface Swc 54.495 0.000 180.301 0.000 37.565 0.000 87.590 0.000
B: C3A content 215.726 0.000 15.207 0.000 159.376 0.000 18.109 0.000
C: Na2Oe content 64.012 0.000 37.013 0.000 43.198 0.000 32.046 0.000
D: SO3 content 0.777 0.465 1.471 0.239 0.607 0.549 0.017 0.983
AB 34.286 0.000 2.564 0.050 25.765 0.000 4.544 0.004
AC 15.604 0.000 7.510 0.000 10.870 0.000 7.327 0.000
AD 0.271 0.895 0.570 0.686 0.280 0.889 1.361 0.262
BC 38.635 0.000 8.045 0.000 24.004 0.000 12.613 0.000
BD 0.782 0.543 0.956 0.440 1.176 0.334 1.475 0.225
CD 0.128 0.972 2.011 0.108 0.520 0.722 0.180 0.948
594 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596

Table 10
Analysis of variance of influence of cement specific surface and C3A, Na2Oe and SO3 content in cement on rheological parameters of w/c = 0.45 mortars with PC superplasticizer.

Source of variation g After 10 min h After 10 min g After 60 min h After 60 min
F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level F-ratio Sig. level
A: Cement specific surface Swc 35.319 0.000 35.818 0.000 37.565 0.000 244.806 0.000
B: C3A content 333.061 0.000 403.982 0.000 159.376 0.000 43.511 0.000
C: Na2Oe content 57.062 0.000 48.311 0.000 43.198 0.000 73.005 0.000
D: SO3 content 0.914 0.407 0.329 0.721 0.607 0.549 0.409 0.668
AB 38.074 0.000 30.715 0.000 25.765 0.000 5.440 0.011
AC 7.697 0.000 7.432 0.000 10.870 0.000 14.674 0.000
AD 0.334 0.854 0.224 0.912 0.280 0.889 0.880 0.483
BC 44.573 0.000 36.972 0.000 24.004 0.000 60.368 0.000
BD 1.995 0.110 0.552 0.698 1.176 0.334 0.312 0.869
CD 0.744 0.567 0.538 0.709 0.520 0.722 1.919 0.123

The increase in yield stress g with time increases with C3A and
Na2Oe content in cement. The range of yield stress g of the mortars
made of cement containing 12% of C3A could increase even ten-fold
in comparison to analogical mortars with 2% content of C3A. The
range of changes of plastic viscosity h with time depends on the
content of C3A and, but to a lesser degree, Na2Oe content in cement,
and varies depending on cement specific surface Ssc and cross-
interactions, showing unequivocal tendencies.
The range of changes in the rheological parameters of mortars
which are due to the changes in Na2Oe or C3A content in cement
shows a synergistic effect with cement specific surface Ssc, and
intensively increases while the cement specific surface Ssc in-
creases. The smallest changes in rheological parameters with time
are always exhibited by cement mortars with Ssc = 320 m2/kg, 2%
content of C3A and 0.3% content of Na2Oe, while cement mortars
with Ssc = 420 m2/kg, 12% content of C3A and 1.1% content of Na2Oe.
underwent the greatest changes.
The cement hydration process and mechanism of the superp-
lasticizer effects were not the subject of the presented investiga-
tion. However, the obtained results remain in good correlation
with relevant existing data (see also Section 1) (Bonen and Sarkar
[6], Burge [7], Kucharska [28], Schober and Flatt [42], Yamada [48],
Kurdowski [29], Yamada [49]). For example, increasing the content
of C3A in cement and specific surface of cement causes an increase
in hydration product mass, a decrease in free water content in mix-
ture, an increase in the rate of superplasticizer adsorption on
cement and a decrease in content of free superplasticizer in mix-
ture. These effects correspond well with the nature of the influence
of cement specific surface and C3A content in cement on yield
stress g and plastic viscosity h of mortars observed in the research.
The decrease in plastic viscosity h caused by the increase in cement
specific surface may be explained as being a result of a decrease in
cement grain diameter. The nature of the influence of Na2Oe con-
tent in cement on PC and PE performance is presented in (Yamada
et al. [51], Yamada and Hanehara [50]). The performance of PC and
PE decreases when Na2Oe content in cement increases because the
steric action of PC and PE is weakened. As a result fluidity (mainly
yield stress g) of the mixture also decreases.
Generally, the nature which the influence of cement character-
istics has on mortar rheology is not dependent on the properties of
the superplasticizers used. On the other hand, the properties of the
superplasticizer may be the source of significant quantitative dif-
ferences. Plastic viscosity h of mortars with PE2 and PC at the given
yield value g is clearly higher than of mortars with PE1. When PE1
is used, the influence of cement specific surface on the mortars rhe-
ological parameters after 10 min is negligible, and after 60 min
very significant. Mortars with PE1 are characterised by larger
changes in rheological parameters in time than those with PE2
and PC. The negative influence of a high Na2Oe content in cement
on the effectiveness of PE2 and PC is stronger than on PE1. In the
case of those cements rich in alkalis, the influence of C3A content
is notably stronger when mortars with PC2 and PC are used. This
disparity can be attributed to the difference in the amount of active
polymer in the mortar (less in PE1) and also to the varying steric
structure of polymers (PE1 is characterised by the shortest side
chains).
The obtained results and their analysis indicate the possibility
of introducing the rheological coefficient RFC for cement, which
would enable one to determine the performance of PC and PE
superplasticizers in the form of a function of cement
characteristics.
Analysis of the nature of the influence that cement characteris-
tics have on the performance of PC and PE indicates that the rheo-
logical factor of cement RFC should be connected with yield value
g, as it is a rheological parameter of vital importance for workabil-
ity, especially when considering that the influence of cement char-
acteristics on plastic viscosity h of mixes with superplasticizer is
minor, significantly smaller than the influence of mixture compo-
sition (especially w/c parameter) and properties of the superplast-
icizer used (Gołaszewski [14]).
Statistical analysis of the research results shows that the yield
value g of superplasticized mortars depends mainly on the content
of C3A and alkali, the cement fineness as well as the interactions of
these characteristics. Thus, it is obvious that RFC cannot be formu-
lated for single cement characteristics. Therefore, the main idea
was to discover as simple an equation as possible of RFC which
would take into account all the main characteristics of the cement,
their interactions and the hierarchy of their influence on the effec-
tiveness of the action of PC and PE. Basing on literature data and
taking under consideration the obtained results and their statisti-
cal analysis, a variety of possible equations of RFC have been
defined. In the equations the cement characteristics have been
attributed factors defining the relative range of its changes and
the range of their influence on yield value g of mortars with PC
and PE. Then, basing on results obtained in the research, statistical
and optimisation analysis aiming to find out the best fitted func-
tion were processed.
On this basis it was found that the rheological coefficient could
be formulated with the equation
RFC ¼ a  Swc ðb  C3 A þ c  Na2 Oe Þ ð3Þ
where C3A – content of C3A in cement (%), Na2Oe – content of Na2Oe
in cement (%), Ssc – cement specific surface (m2/kg). Factors –
a = 3.1310–3 (kg/m2); b = 0.25 (1/%), c = 2.33 (1/%).
The rheological coefficient RFC could be interpreted as follows:
with pre-determined, constant mixture composition and a con-
stant amount of PE or PC, the higher the rheological coefficient
RFC value for cement, the greater its yield value g of a given PE
or PC mixture made of this cement and the range of its changes
with time. Or rather, the higher the value of the rheological
 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596
Fig. 7. The relation between rheological factor Fg and yield value g after 10 and
60 min for mortars with PC and PE superplasticizers.
coefficient RFC is for a given cement, the greater amount of superp-
lasticizer should be added to get the required yield stress g.
In Fig. 7 is shown the correlation between the rheological factor
of cement and the yield value g after 10 and 60 min for cement
mortars with superplasticizers used in the study. It is clearly visible
that the correlation between those two values is significant. In
order to verify the possibility to use the rheological factor of ce-
ment in practice, the additional research was conducted, using
595
the industrial cements (based on mortars of constitution as shown
in Table 7) and with PC, PE1 and PE2 as well as with unused in the
fundamental research PE3.
The relation between the rheological factor of cement and the
measured values of rheological parameters of mortars are pre-
sented in Fig. 7.
Results obtained in control tests prove that the rheological fac-
tor of cement describes well the correlation between cement char-
acteristics and the rheological performance of PC and PE. It should
be noted, that the rheological factor of cement enables the qualita-
tive comparison of the influence that different cements have on PE
and PC performance, but not the quantitative determination of
rheological parameter value or superplasticizer addition quantity.
The factor could be used for a preliminary estimation of the com-
patibility between the PE or PC and cement, as well as for the esti-
mation of susceptibility to fluidification by PE or PC of the given
cement mixture. On this basis a preliminary selection of cement
could be conducted in regards to the performance of PC and PE
superplasticizers. The factor may be also used for anticipating the
direction and range of changes in the rheological parameters of ce-
ment binder mixtures when the properties of used cement under-
go changes.
4. Conclusions
From amongst the factors related to the cement characteristics,
the highest influence on the rheological parameters of cement bin-
der mixtures, and thus PC and PE performance, have successively:
C3A content in the cement, cement specific surface Ssc, Na2Oe con-
tent in the cement and the interaction between these factors. In the
tested range no considerable influence of SO3 content in cement on
superplasticizer performance was observed.
In general, superplasticizer performance decreases when ce-
ment specific surface Ssc, C3A and Na2Oe content increases.
As a result of increased C3A content in the cement, yield value g
of mixtures intensively increases, whereas plastic viscosity h
slightly decreases. The range of changes in these parameters with
time increases as a result of increasing C3A content in the cement
(especially of yield value g). The intensity of C3A influence in-
creases with the increase in cement specific surface Ssc and Na2Oe
content.
Increasing specific surface Ssc of cement with low C3A content
results in insignificant reduction, or in case of cements of high
C3A content, in the increase in yield value g of tested cement binder
mixtures. Plastic viscosity h of these mixtures decreases with
increasing cement specific surface Ssc.
Performance of PC and PE increases when Na2Oe content in ce-
ment decreases. Such mortars are characterised by the lowest yield
value g which changes with time. The influence of Na2Oe content in
cement on rheological parameters of mortars increases with
increasing C3A content in cement.
The obtained results may be used for designing and controlling
workability of fresh cement binder mixtures. The suggested rheo-
logical coefficient RFC for cement allows one to predict the effect
of the PC and PE on the basis of cement characteristics, and may
be applied as a form of selection of cement in terms of the compat-
ibility with PC and PE superplasticizer.
References
[1] Aïtcin P-C. High performance concrete. London: EF&N SPON; 1998.
[2] Atenzi C, Massidda L, Sanna U. Comparison between rheological models for
Portland cement pastes. Cem Concr Res 1985;15:511–9.
[3] Banfill PFG. The rheology of fresh mortar. Mag Concr Res 1991;43(154):
113–21.
596 J. Gołaszewski / Construction and Building Materials 35 (2012) 586–596
[4] Banfill PFG. The rheology of fresh cement and concrete – a review. In:
Proceeding of 11th international cement chemistry congress. Durban, South,
Africa; 2003. p. 50–63.
[5] Baragano JR, Macias A. Rheological properties of cement mixes containing
different organic dispersant admixtures. In: 9th international congress on the
chemistry of cement. New Delhi, India; 1992. p. 557–63.
[6] Bonen D, Sarkar SL. The superplasticizer adsorption capacity of cement pastes,
pore solution composition, and parameters affecting flow loss. Cem Concr Res
1995;25:1423–34.
[7] Burge TA. Mode of action of superplasticizers. In: 6th CANMET/ACI
international conference superplasticizers and other chemical admixtures in
concrete. Nice, France; 2000. p. 101–27.
[8] Collepardi MA. The new concrete. Treviso: Grafiche Tintoretto; 2006.
[9] Collepardi M. Admixture used to enhance placing characteristics of concrete.
Cem Concr Compos 1998;20:103–12.
[10] Costa U, Corrazza F, Colombert P, Fernon V, Vichot A. Mechanisms of cement –
admixture interaction. In: Proceedings of the 10-th international conference
on the chemistry of cement, vol. 3iii003. Göteborg, Sweden; 1997. p. 12.
[11] De Schutter G, Bartos PJM, Domone P, Gibbs J. Self compacting
concrete. Dunbeath, UK: Whittles Publishing; 2008.
[12] Ferraris ChF, Gaidis JM. Connection between the rheology of concrete and
rheology of cement paste. ACI Mater J 1992;88(4):388–93.
[13] Gołaszewski J. The influence of cement paste volume in mortar on the
rheological effects of the addition of superplasticizer. In: Brandt AM, editors.
Proceeding of 8th international conference brittle matrix composites.
Warszawa, Poland; 2006a. p. 441–9.
[14] Gołaszewski J. Wpływ superplastyfikatorów na właściwości reologiczne
mieszanek na spoiwach cementowych w układzie zmiennych czynników
technologicznych. (Influence of superplasticizers on rheological properties of
cement binder mixtures in the system of variable technological factors).
Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śla˛skiej, Budownictwo z. 106, Gliwice, Poland;
2006b (in Polish).
[15] Gołaszewski J. Influence of cement properties on rheology of fresh cement
mortars without and with superplasticizer. Arch Civil Eng Environ – ACEE, 4/
2008.
[16] Gołaszewski J. Correlation between rheology of superplasticized fresh mortars
and fresh concretes. In: Malhotra VM, editors. 9th CANMET/ACI conference
superplasticizers and other admixtures for concrete. ACI SP 262, Spain; 2009.
[17] Gołaszewski J, Szwabowski J. The Influence of superplasticizers on the
rheological behaviour of fresh cement mortars. Cem. Concr. Res.
2004;34:235–48.
[18] Gołaszewski J, Szwabowski J. The effect of cement surface on rheology of
superplasticized mortars. VI SBTA Simposio Brasileiro de TECNOLOGIA de
Agramassas. In: 1st International symposium on mortars technology.
Florianopolis, Brasil; 2005. p. 180–9.
[19] Hamada D, Sato T, Yamato F, Mizunuma T. Development of new
superplasticizer and its application to self compacting concrete. In: 6th
CANMET/ACI international conference superplasticizers and other chemical
admixtures in concrete. Nice, France; 2000. p. 269–90.
[20] Hanna E, Luke K, Perraton D, Aitcin PC. Rheological behaviour of Portland
Cement in the Presence of Superplasticizer, 3rd CANMET/ACI International
Conference ‘‘Superplasticizers and Other Chemical Admixtures in
Concrete’’. Canada: Ottawa; 1989. 171–88.
[21] Helm M, Hornung F. Rheological test procedure in the ready-mixed concrete
bath plant. Ann Trans Nordic Rheol Soc 1997;5:106–8.
[22] Houst YF, Flatt RJ, Bowen P, Hofmann H, Maeder U, Widmer J, Sulser U, Burge
TA. Optimisation of superplasticizers: from research to application.
International RILEM conference. The role of admixtures in high performance
concrete. Monterrey, Mexico; 1999. p. 121–34.
[23] Jiang S, Kim BG, Aitcin PC. Importance of adequate soluble alkali content to
ensure cement/superplasticizer compatibility. Cem Concr Compos
1999;29:71–8.
[24] Jolicoeur C, Simard M-A. Chemical admixture-cement interactions:
phenomenology and physico-chemical concepts. Cem Concr Compos
1998;20:87–101.
[25] Kadri E-H, Aggoun S, De Schutter G. Interaction between C3A, silica fume and
naphthalene sulphonate superplasticizer in high performance concrete.
Construct Build Mater 2009;23:3124–8.
[26] Kim B-G, Jiang S, Aitcin P-C. Influence of molecular weight of PNS
superplasticizers on the properties of cement pastes containing different
alkali contents. In: International RILEM conference. The role of admixtures in
high performance concrete. Monterrey, Mexico; 1999. p. 69–96.
[27] Kinoshita M, Nawa T, Iida M, Ichiboji H. Effect of chemical on fluidising
mechanism of concrete superplasticizer containing polyethylene oxide graft
chains. In: 6th CANMET/ACI international conference superplasticizers and
other chemical admixtures in concrete. Nice, France; 2000. p. 163–80.
[28] Kucharska L. Tradycyjne i współczesne domieszki do betonu zmniejszaja˛ce
ilość wody zarobowej. Cem Wapno Beton 2000;2(2000):46–60 (in Polish).
[29] Kurdowski W. Chemia cementu i betonu (Cement and Conrete Chemistry),
Wydawnictwo Polski Cement, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Kraków,
Warszawa; 2010. p. 728 (in Polish).
[30] Maeder U, Schober I. Performance of blends of polycarboxylate polymers in
different cements. In: Proceedings of the 11th international congress on the
chemistry of cement, cement’s contribution to the development in the 21st
century. Durban, South Africa; 2003. p. 504–13.
[31] Magarotto R, Torresan I, Zeminian N. Effect of alkaline sulphates on the
performance of superplasticizers. In: 11th international congress on the
chemistry of cement cement’s contribution to the development in the 21st
century. Durban, South, Africa; 2003. p. 569–80.
[32] Matsuhisa M, Yamada K, Ishimori M, Kaneda Y. Effect of cement character on
the fluidity of cement paste added with beta-naphthalene sulphonate type or
polycarboxylate type superplasticizers. Proc Jpn Concr Inst 1998;20–
22:67–72.
[33] Moulin EM, Broyer V. Effect of superplasticizer type on the fluidity retention of
Portland cement mortars as a function of the C3A level and the nature of added
calcium sulphates. In: 11th international congress on the chemistry of cement
cement’s contribution to the development in the 21st century. Durban, South,
Africa; 2003. p. 550–9.
[34] Nawa T, Euguchi H. Effect of cement characteristics on fluidity of cement paste
containing an organic admixture. In: 9th international conference on the
chemistry of cement; 1992. p. 597–603.
[35] Nawa T, Ichiboji H, Kinoshita M. Influence of temperature on fluidity of cement
paste containing superplasticizer with polyethylene oxide graft chains. In: 6th
CANMET/ACI international conference superplasticizers and other chemical
admixtures in concrete. Nice, France; 2000. p. 195–210.
[36] Norberg J, Peterson O, Billberg P. Effects of a new generation of
superplasticizers on the properties of fresh concrete. In: Malhorta VM,
editors. Proceeding of 5th CANMET/ACI international conference
superplasticizers and other chemical admixtures in concrete. Rome, Italy;
1997. p. 583–98.
[37] Petit J-Y, Wirquin E, Vanhove Y, Khayat K. Yield stress and viscosity equations
for mortars and self-consolidating concrete. Cem Concr Res 2007;37:655–70.
[38] Prince W, Espagne M, Aitcin P-C. Ettringite formation: A crucial step in cement
superplasticizer compatibility. Cem Concr Res 2003;33:635–41.
[39] Ramachandran VS. Concrete admixtures handbook. Properties, Science and
technology. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, USA: Noyes Publications; 1995.
[40] Serdar Aydın A, Aytac Hilmi, Ramyar Kambiz. Effects of fineness of cement on
polynaphthalene sulfonate based superplasticizer–cement interaction.
Construct Build Mater 2009;23:2402–8.
[41] Shonaka M, Kitakawa K, Satoh H, Izumi T, Mizanuma T. Chemical structures
and performance of new high range water reducing and air entraining agents.
In: 5th CANMET/ACI international conference superplasticizers and other
chemical admixtures in concrete. Rome, Italy; 1997. p. 599–614.
[42] Schober I, Flatt RJ. Optimizing polycaboxylate polymers. In: 8th CANMET/ACI
international conference on superplasticizers and other chemical admixtures
in concrete. Sorrento, Italy; 2006. p. 169–84.
[43] Sugiyama T, Ohta A, Uomoto T. The dispersing mechanism and applications of
polycarboxylate-based superplasticizers. In: 11th International congress on
the chemistry of cement (ICCC) cement’s contribution to the development in
the 21st century. Durban, South, Africa; 2003. p. 560–8.
[44] Szwabowski J. Reologia mieszanek na spoiwach cementowych (Rheology of
cement binders mixtures). Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śla˛skiej, Gliwice,
Poland; 1999 (in Polish).
[45] Tanaka Y, Ohta A, Sugiyama T. Polycarboxylate-based advanced
superplasticizers for high performance concrete. In: International RILEM
conference the role of admixtures in high performance concrete. Monterrey,
Mexico; 1999. p. 135–43.
[46] Tattarsall GH, Banfill PFG. The rheology of fresh concrete. Boston, USA: Pitman
Books Limited; 1983.
[47] Vikan H, Justnes H, Winnefeld F, Figi R. Correlating cement characteristics with
rheology of paste. Cem Concr Res 2007;37:1502–11.
[48] Yamada K. A summary of important characteristics of cement and
superplasticizers, 9th CANMET/ACI International Conference
‘‘Superplasticizers and Other Chemical Admixtures in
Concrete’’. Spain: Seville; 2009.
[49] Yamada K. Basics of analytical methods used for the investigation of
interaction mechanism between cements and superplasticizers. Cem Concr
Res 2011;41:793–8.
[50] Yamada K, Hanehara S. Working mechanism of polycarboxylate
superplasticizer considering the chemical structure and cement
characteristics. In: 11th international congress on the chemistry of cement
(ICCC) cement’s contribution to the development in the 21st century. Durban,
South Africa; 2003. p. 538–49.
[51] Yamada K, Takahashi T, Hanehara S, Matsuhisa M. Effects of the chemical
structure on the properties of polycarboxylate – type superplasticizer. Cem
Concr Res 2000;30:197–207.
[52] Yamaguchi O, Nakajima H, Takahasi M. The effect of paste and mortar
containing various types of water reducing agents. JCA Proc Cem Concr
1997;51:216–63.
[53] Yen T, Tang Ch, Chang Ch, Chen. Flow behaviour of high strength high-
performance concrete. Cem Concr Compos 1999;21:413–24.