Concrete Rheology: Knowledge and Challenges?

Published

September 13, 2006

Author(s)

Chiara F. Ferraris

Abstract

The design of concrete with specified properties for an application is not a new science, but it has taken on a new meaning with the wide use of special concretes, such as self compacting concrete (SCC). General terms such as flow under its own weight and filling capacity , or workability, flowability, compactibility, stability, finishability, pumpability, and/or consistency are currently used interchangeably without a definition based on fundamental measurements of properties. Several attempts have been made to better relate fresh concrete properties with measurable quantities. Some researchers treated fresh concrete as a fluid and used fluid rheology methods to describe concrete flow. This approach, the most fundamental one, is reviewed in this paper. The main topics that will be addressed are: 1) Review the fundamental definitions of quantities used to uniquely describe the flow of concrete; 2) Give an overview of the tests that are commonly used to measure the rheology of fresh concrete, partially based also on the completed comparison of concrete rheometers sponsored by ACI; 3) Discuss challenges left to resolve to bring rheology to the construction site. A conclusion will present some thoughts on research needed.

Proceedings Title

2nd International RILEM Symposium on Advances in Concrete Through Science and Engineering | | |

Conference Dates

September 11-13, 2006

Conference Location

Quebec, CA

Conference Title

2nd International RILEM Symposium on Advances in Concrete Through Science and Engineering

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

concrete, plastic viscosity, rheology, yield stress

Citation

Ferraris, C. (2006), Concrete Rheology: Knowledge and Challenges?, 2nd International RILEM Symposium on Advances in Concrete Through Science and Engineering | | |, Quebec, CA (Accessed October 11, 2025)