Rheological Properties

This chapter provides an introduction to the rheology of cementitious systems. The non-Newtonian flow behavior of cementitious suspensions is visco-plastic in nature, which is reflected by different flow properties including yield stress, non-linear flow behavior, or shear-rate dependence. The flow properties of mortar and concrete are introduced and influencing parameters are related to the resulting rheological properties. The workability of concrete is controlled by flow phenomena such as flow speed, segregation or blocking, which are affected by the rheological properties. The workability of concrete is also controlled by reversible and non-reversible temporal influences, due to changing particle structure within the suspensions or changing particle connections by the hydration process. The rheology of cementitious systems is controlled by a number of influencing factors, which are described in this chapter.