Effect of Superabsorbent Polymers on Workability and Hydration Process in Fly Ash Cementitious Composites
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 5
Abstract
The effects of three superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on variations in the cement hydration process were studied by calorimetric measurements and the X-ray scanning technique. It was concluded that the influence of superabsorbent polymers on workability and autogenous shrinkage strongly depends on SAP water absorption/desorption kinetics. Gradual release of additional water stored by a SAP facilitated the formation of a denser and more homogenous cementitious matrix. The addition of fly ash to portland cement had a notable influence on the hydration process and microstructure development in mortars regardless of modifications by the SAP. Characteristic patterns attributed to pozzolanic reactions appeared to be related to the mortar densification measured by the X-ray absorption and quasi-adiabatic calorimetry techniques during the first 48 h.
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Acknowledgments
Provision of superabsorbent polymers by the BASF Construction Chemicals GmbH for the purpose of this study is gratefully acknowledged.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 5 • May 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 28, 2013
Accepted: May 6, 2014
Published online: Aug 7, 2014
Discussion open until: Jan 7, 2015
Published in print: May 1, 2015
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