Abstract
The importance of mix design is crucial in order to obtain self-consolidating concrete (SCC) that is fluid enough to completely fill the form and simultaneously stable against segregation of aggregates and bleeding. Stability of SCC can be achieved in at least two ways: By aid of fines and/or filler, and by aid of chemical stabilizer. The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence the effect fillers and chemical stabilizers have on rheological properties of concrete and matrix. The stabilizing properties of two chemical stabilizers (polymer type and cellulose derivate) and three fillers (limestone filler and two fillers sieved from sand) have been investigated. Two types of acrylate based superplasticizers were used in order to investigate effect of dispersion and possible interactions between these admixtures and the two groups of stabilizers. The results showed that the effect of stabilizers depended on plasticizer type and dosage (i.e. dispersion). However, for both superplasticizers, filler addition gave a stronger viscosity increase than the chemical stabilizers. Of the two chemical stabilizers, the polymer type had stronger thixotropic effect than the cellulose type. However, for both superplasticizers, addition of filler gave a stronger viscosity increase than the chemical stabilizers. Matrix viscosity increased with increasing volume fraction of solids in line with the Krieger- Dougherty equation. Viscosity and thixotropy of matrix dispersed with SP2 increased with increasing. The report is concluded with suggestions for further work, including full-scale experiments in order to investigate effect of stabilizing method and final surface quality of wall elements.