DRY MIXES AND CEMENTS COMPRISING CELLULOSE ETHERS HAVING POLYETHER GROUPS AS LUBRICATIVE ADDITIVES FOR ROLLER COMPACTED CONCRETE APPLICATIONS AND METHODS OF USING THEM

The present invention provides a dry mix composition of a powder of an ultra high-viscosity cellulose ether having one or more polyether groups, the cellulose ether having a 1 wt. % aqueous solution viscosity (20 C, 2.55 s−1 shear rate as determined using a controlled rate rotational rheometer) ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 mPa·s, or, preferably, 11,000 to 16,000 mPa·s, a graded aggregate, and a hydraulic cement, or a wet granular mix of the cement, graded aggregate and an admixture therefor including the cellulose ether. When combined with water to form a wet granular hydraulic cement composition, the composition of the present invention behaves like asphalt compositions and has zero or near zero slump, a high lubricity and 13.6 wt. % or less of water, or, preferably, from 5 to 11 wt. % of water, based on the total weight of the dry mix composition. The cellulose ether enables lubricity without impairing compaction and without causing air entrainment.