Elucidating how particle flocculating controls fresh properties of cementitious system containing attapulgite powder (AP) and polycarboxylate ether superplasticizer (PCE)

The flow spread, flow rate, yield stress, apparent viscosity and adhesiveness of cementitious systems containing newly processed attapulgite powder (AP) and polycarboxylate ether superplasticizer (PCE) at different w/c ratio were investigated. The bonding strength coefficient was proposed to quantify the size and strength of the flocculation structure within the paste, and its relationships with fresh properties were explored. The results showed AP and PCE with appropriate mixing ratios can improve the fresh properties of paste. The flocculation structure transformation model was established to explain the influence of AP and PCE on the size of the flocculation structures with the change of w/c ratio, which can be divided into three stages. The bonding strength coefficient increased with increasing AP substitution and decreasing PCE addition. PCE and AP affected fresh properties by changing the bonding strength coefficient. [Display omitted] •The feasibility of the AP and PCE application in the grouting field was analyzed.•Flocculation transformation model was used to evaluate the impact of AP and PCE on the flocculation structure.•The influence of AP and PCE on the strength and size of the flocculation structure showed opposite trends.•The bonding strength coefficient was used to quantify the size and strength of the flocculation structure.•The relationships between the bonding strength coefficient and the fresh properties were evaluated.