Rheology of Concrete

Flow of Presentation

1. Overview of Rheology
1. Understanding Rheology
2. Shear stress vs. Shear rate
3. Measurement of Rheological Properties
4. Method of Measurement
5. Application of Rheology

2. Rheology of Concrete
1. Concrete
2. Conventionally used methods
3. Limitations of Conventional Studies
4. Rheological Model of Concrete
5. Rheology of Concrete
6. Stability of Concrete
7. Compactability of Concrete
8. Flowability of Concrete
9. Effect on Rheology
10. Effect of constituents of Concrete
11. Application in Special Concrete

References
 1.1. Understanding Rheology

• Rheology is the science of flow

and deformation of the materials.
• It is concerned with the relation-
ship of flow behaviour when
exposed to different stress
conditions.
• Based on relationship of stress
applied and observed shear strain
rate, material have different
classification.
• Rheology considers material as
viscoelastic.
• It is covers both solid mechanics
(yield stress) and fluid mechanics
(viscosity).

Image source : http://soft-matter.seas.harvard.edu/index.php/File:Relationship_btw_stress_and_rate.jpg#filelinks

 1.2. Shear stress vs. Shear rate

• Graphically rheology is represented as 3

the plot between shear stress and
shear rate.

𝜏 (Shear stress)
2.5
• Two primary characteristics are used
from the curve
2
– Yield stress
– Viscosity 1.5
• Yield stress is the minimum shear
stress that must be applied before the
1 𝜇 (viscosity)
material starts to deform plastically.
• Viscosity is the resistance offered by a
material in a state of flow. 0.5 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 stress
• Additionally rate of change of viscosity
is also used as the characteristic 0
defining rheology of material. 0 2
𝑑𝑣 4 6
(Shear rate)
𝑑𝑦
 1.3. Measurement of Rheological Properties

• Initially only a fluid behaviour was 7

considered, therefore, only one
parameter was observed, i.e., 6

𝜏 (Shear stress)
viscosity.
5
• Later two-point rheometers were
developed which measured the ideal 4
viscoelastic behaviour of materials.
3

• Over time multi-point rheometer 2

were introduced, which were able to
better represent the rheological 1
behaviour.
0
0 2
𝑑𝑣 4 6
(Shear rate)
𝑑𝑦
 1.4. Method of Measurement

One of the two methods is adopted for measurement;

1. Material is brought to a state of flow and applied shear rate is reduced to measure
corresponding shear stress. The point where shear rate reaches zero is reported as
yield stress.

2. Material from rest is applied with increasing shear stress till shearing starts. This
point is reported as yield stress. Then shear stress is measured at different shear
rates to determine remaining curve.

State of flow is achieved through constant mixing in concrete.

Different forms of instrument exist based on the method of observations, number of

readings and arrangement of force application. All instruments have comparable
results.
 1.5. Application of Rheology

Although rheology and its use in the industry have existed for over a century,
advancement in technology and improvement of literature, has allowed for

Various new applications like;

• Design of Lubricants
• Printable Concrete
• Formation of thinners

And improved many existing studies;

• Study of blood
• Behaviour of quick sand
• Dynamic viscosity

For this presentation, rheology of concrete will be discussed.

 2.1. Concrete

• Concrete is a building material that can be molded into desirable shapes and then
solidifies into a hard rock like material.

• Therefore at different stage different behaviour is desired from concrete.

• By understanding the rheology of concrete at different stages, a more suitable

selection and use of different concretes can be done.

Mixing and Transportation Placing Hardened State

• Material should be stable • Material should be workable • Should be strong enough
• Bleeding or segregation should enough for application. to resist deformation
not occur. • Should be able to hold its form. under desired loads.
 2.2. Conventionally Used Methods - I

To define the viscoelastic behaviour of

concrete workability is used.

Conventionally workability can be

measured using;
• Slump Test
• K-slump test
• Compaction factor test
• Flow table test
• Kelly ball test
• Vee-Bee consistometer

These are empirical tests, and offer

limited information.
 2.2. Conventionally Used Methods - II

Wong et al. has reported the comparison

of different instruments used to measure
workability and their suitability in
obtaining desired slump value.
 2.3. Limitations of Conventional Studies

• Empirical tests give an qualitative assessment only, but fail to provide a suitable
quantitative assessment.
• Comparison of different forms of concrete is not possible, one may have a high
yield point while other high viscosity.
• Variation of rheology due to factors like time, relative humidity, temperature, etc.
can not assessed justifiably.
• Effect of addition of different forms of admixtures can not be assessed.
• Mathematical modelling and simulations are not justifiable.
• Multiple empirical models are required for different usage scenario, based on
external factors, time of application and method of application.

A simpler way to overcome this challenge is the use of rheological parameters. Also
several researches have proposed modified versions of conventional test based on
rheological behaviour of material.
 2.4. Rheological Model of Concrete

• Since workability is defined as the Y-Values 𝜕𝑣

amount of flow observed under a 𝜏 =𝜏 +𝜇 0
3 𝜕𝑦
given effort.

𝜏 (Shear stress)
• It can be interpreted as observed
2.5
shear rate under the action of known
shear stress.
2
• Yucel et. al., compares different
rheological model and describes 1.5
rheological behaviour of concrete as 𝜇 (viscosity)
idealized Bingham’s liquid.
1
𝜕𝑣
𝜏 = 𝜏0 + 𝜇
𝜕𝑦 0.5 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 stress (𝜏0 )
• This representation is simpler to
apply and covers a wide varieties of 0
concrete. 0 2 4 6
𝑑𝑣
(Shear rate)
𝑑𝑦
 2.5. Rheology of Concrete

Rheology of concrete can help in defining following parameters of fresh concrete;

Image source : https://theconstructor.org/concrete/rheology-of-concrete/15319/

 2.6. Stability of Concrete

• Stability of Concrete is defined in terms of its resistance to segregation and

bleeding, when faced with vibrations for compaction or due to transportation.

• Different works have highlighted the correlation between stability and rheological
characteristics.

• For low yield point and low plastic viscosity, concrete is less stable.

• Relative difference of densities between the material decrease the stability, and
govern its failure.

• Plastic viscosity governs the rate of segregation or bleeding.

 2.7. Compactability of Concrete

• Rheological parameters govern the degree of compaction of concrete.

• For same compacting effort lower value of plastic viscosity and lower yield point
offer higher degree of compaction.

• Higher compaction means lower air voids and higher relative density.
 2.8. Flowability of Concrete

• Rheological parameters are the defining characteristics of flowability of concrete.

• Higher yield point and higher viscosity offer higher resistance to flowability.

• Internally resistance is offered due to three parameters, viscosity, cohesion and

internal friction.

• Cohesion and internal friction offer initial resistance to stresses and contribute
towards yield point.
 2.9. Effect on Rheology

Rheology of concrete is governed by following factors;

Mix Proportions Consistency Nature of hydration

Aggregate shape and Maximum size of

Grading of concrete
texture aggregate

Admixtures Temperature Time

 2.10. Effect of constituents of Concrete
As reported from the works of S. Girish by A. Nagaraj

Parameter ( Increase of ) Yield Stress Plastic Viscosity

Cement Content Decrease Decrease
Water Content Decrease Decrease
Aggregates volume fraction Increase Increase
Water-reducing admixture Decrease Mixed
Air Entraining agent Mixed Decrease
VMA Increase Increase
Fly ash Decrease Mixed
Silica Fume (Low Dosage) Decrease Decrease
Silica Fume (High dosage) Increase Increase
GGBFS Mixed Increase
Fiber Increase Increase
 2.11. Application in Special Concrete

A better understanding of rheological properties allow one to choose material in a

more scientific manner. Through knowledge about effect on concrete at different time
and temperature, one can redefine the way concreting is done.

A prime example of this scenario is the development of printable concrete.

Printable concrete requires a precise workability;

• Concrete should be lean enough to be pumpable
• Concrete should be stiff enough to retain its printed shape
• This should sustain during the time and temperature range of construction

As a result parameters like yield stress, elastic modulus and critical strain at flow onset
also become important parameters of study. Thus justifying the need of rheology.
 References

1. K.T. Yucel et. al. ,” Comparing Fresh Concrete Workability Using Experimental Studies and
Theoretical Statements”.

2. G. Sam Wong, et. al. “Portland-Cement Concrete Rheology and Workability: Final Report”,
FHWA-RD-00-025, January 2000.

3. Koehler, P. Eric and Fowler, W. David, “Summary of Concrete Workability Test Methods”,
ICAR 105-2003.

4. Ferraris C.F, “Measurement of rheological properties of high-performance concrete: state-

of-the-art report, National Institute of Standards and Technology”, NISTIR 5869, Vol.104, pp
461-478, September–October 1999.

5. F. de Larrard, C. F. Ferraris, and T. Sedran, “Fresh Concrete: A Herschel-Bulkley Material”,

Mater. Struct. 31, 494-498 (1998).

6. P.J.M. Bartos, “Workability and Rheology of Fresh Concrete: Compendium of Tests”, Report
of Technical CommitteeTC145 WSM, RILEM.
 References

7. S.Girish and B.S. Santhosh, “Determination of Bingham Parameters of Fresh Portland

Cement Concrete Using Concrete Shear Box”, Bonfring International Journal of Industrial
Engineering and Management Science, No.4, pp 84-90, December 2012.

8. Nicolas Roussel, “Rheological requirements for printable concretes”, Cement and Concrete
Research, volume 112, october 2018, Pages 76-85

9. C. K. Seng, “workability and stability of lightweight aggregate concrete from rheology

perspective”, Thesis, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE, 2006

10. Web article, www.theconcreteportal.com/rheology.html

11. D. Marchona, S. Kawashimab, H. Bessaies-Beyc, S. Mantellatod, S. Nge, “Hydration and

rheology control of concrete for digital fabrication: Potential admixtures and cement
chemistry”, Cement and Concrete Research, 112 (2018) 96–110

12. K. D. Bodenlos, D. W. Fowler “QUALIFICATION OF CONCRETE WORKABILITY BY MEANS OF

THE VIBRATING SLOPE APPARATUS”, ICAR report 105-2, 2003