Title:
Mixing Kinetics of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC)
Author(s):
Du
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
3/28/2022
Abstract:
The mixing of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) featuring low water-to-binder ratios involves different evolution of microstructures and mixing torques from conventional concrete. This study investigates the mixing kinetics of UHPC in the mixing process, presents a mixing kinetics model to predict the mixing torque at an arbitrary time instant, and develops a multi-batching method to control the mixing torque for large-volume production of UHPC. The presented mixing kinetics model considers the effects of mixing temperature, mixing volume, and mixing methods. The mixing kinetics model is calibrated using experimental data, and the calibrated model shows high prediction accuracy. The multi-batching method enables large-volume production of UHPC using normal mixer by reducing the mixing torque while retaining desired flowability and hardened properties of UHPC. The mixing kinetics model and multi-batching method are validated using different types of UHPC. This study will advance understandings of the mixing kinetics and promote large-volume production and structural applications of UHPC.