Rheological measurements on heterogeneous civil engineering materials with evolving properties

Abstract

The measurement on cellular concrete, mortar, hydraulic concrete and cold bituminous mixes are presented. A non-destructive device allows the setting to be monitored and to be clearly characterized. The device is based on the propagation of compressional waves. To prevent diffraction of waves from heterogeneities, a condition of long wavelength compared to the heterogeneity size is required, so low frequencies are used (about 800 Hz). Velocity and damping coefficients versus time are deduced, then related to rheological viscoelastic properties by an inverse analysis. The rheological evolutions of the different materials are presented and compared for different mix proportions.

Keywords

rheology / civil engineering / wave propagation / viscoelasticity / non-destructive test / inverse analysis / homogenization

References

[1] ARNAUD L, BOUTIN C, THINET S, DIERKENS M. Prise des matériaux hétérogènes;observations microscopiques et comportement macroscopique [C]//Proc of the Int Symp “Microstructues et Propriétés des matériaux” to appear ENPC, 2005.

[2] ARNAUD L, THINET S. A device to monitor continuously the setting of concrete [C]//Proc of 15th World Conf on Non Destructive Testing-Rome, 15-21/10/2000.

[3] ArnaudL., ThinetS.. Rheology of concrete during setting and hardening: Experimental approach and rheological measurements [J]. Materials and Structures, 2003, 36: 355-364

[4] BoutinC., ArnaudL.. Mechanical characterization of heterogeneous materials during setting [J]. Eur J Mech A/Solids, 1995, 14(4): 633-656

[5] GROSSE C, REINHARDT H. Ultrasound technique for quality control of cementitious materials [C]//Proc of 15th World Conf on Non Destructive Testing—Rome, 15–21/10/2000.

[6] BoumizA., VernetC., TenoudjiF.Cohen. Mechanical properties of cement pastes and mortars at early ages. Advanced Cement Based Materials, 1996, 3(3-4): 94-106

[7] VILLAIN C. Caractérisation de la prise des matériaux à base de ciment par propagation d’ondes acoustiques et ultrasonores [D]. Ecole MEGA (ENTPE/INSA) Lyon, 1997: 326.

[8] THINET S. Caractérisation rhéologique de matériaux hétérogènes évolutifs par propagation d’ondes acoustiques [D]. Ecole MEGA (ENTPE/INSA) Lyon, 2000: 264.

[9] DIERKENS M. Mesures rhéologiques et modélisation de matériaux en cours de prise [D]. Ecole MEGA (ENTPE/INSA) Lyon, 2005: 312.

[10] IsacssonU.Une synthèse des méthodes de laboratoire pour étudier la stabilité des émulsions bitumineuses [J]. Bull Liaison du LCPC, 1986, 141: 67-80