Title:
Importance of Processing in Advanced
Cement-Based Products
Author(s):
K.G. Kuder and S.P. Shah
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
260
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
1-16
Keywords:
extrusion; flocculation; fresh state properties; Hatschek process; processing; self-consolidating concrete; slipform casting
DOI:
10.14359/56621
Date:
6/1/2009
Abstract:
The design versatility of cement-based composites continues to make them attractive for a variety of specialized applications. Advanced processing techniques, including the Hatschek process, extrusion, self-consolidating concrete and slipform-cast concrete paving, offer great promise for improving innovation in the modern construction world. However, to advance the state-of-theart of cement-based products, the fresh state characteristics of these materials need to be well understood. Processing has a significant impact on composite performance, affecting fresh and hardened state properties as well as overall cost. In spite of its importance, relatively little is known about the relationship between processing and composite performance. Recent work at the Center for Advanced Cement-Based Materials (ACBM), headquartered at Northwestern University, has focused on developing a better understanding of this critical relationship. The role of processing on composite performance has been examined for a variety of advanced processing techniques, including the Hatschek process, extrusion, self consolidating concrete and slipform-cast concrete paving. The results indicate that overall composite performance can be enhanced by controlling fresh state properties. This paper presents a review of these studies and discusses ongoing research to link composite performance to microstructural changes.