Influence of the flocculation effect on the rheological properties of cement slurry

The rheological properties have an important impact on the migration and diffusion of cement slurry in grouting reinforcement applications. The microscopic interaction between particles affects the macroscopic rheological behaviors of cement slurry. However, the detailed influence mechanisms still remain unclear. In this work, five different fineness cements were selected to investigate the rheological properties. The focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) system was used to detect the in-situ flocculation characteristics under different water-to-cement ratios, cement fineness, and shear rates. In addition, the initial and time-dependent rheological properties under various conditions were measured by a rotary viscometer. The results reveal that these three factors influence the number and particle size distribution of flocculent particles, and the degree of flocculation increases linearly with time. Cement slurry with a water-to-cement ratio ranging from 0.6:1 to 1.6:1 follows the Bingham model. The yield strength and plastic viscosity decrease with increasing water-to-cement ratio, and increase with increasing cement fineness. The apparent viscosity is reversible with the change of shear rate. The influence of water-to-cement ratio, cement fineness, and shear rate on the flocculation effect is consistent with the influence on rheological parameters. Three factors and time affect the rheological properties by influencing the formation and destruction of the flocculation structure, and then changing the content of free water and intergranular force in cement slurry. Our study has revealed the evolution of rheological properties from a microscopic point of view, which can provide theoretical guidance for the design and application of cement slurry. [Display omitted] •The three factors affect the number and particle size distribution of flocculent particles.•Cement slurry exhibit the Bingham model patterns within the scope of this study.•The chord size and rheological parameters increase linearly with time.•The variation in rheological properties is consistent with the flocculent degree.•The formation and destruction of flocculation structure affect the rheological properties.