Empirical Test Methods to Evaluate Rheological Properties of Concrete and Mortar

Several empirical test methods used to measure the workability of cement-based materials under field conditions can be employed to evaluate the fundamental rheological properties of these materials. This chapter summarized some of the analytical solutions of different workability test methods for concrete and mortar from the rheological basis. Many of the relationships between the various workability parameters of concrete and mortar determined using empirical tests and their corresponding rheological properties, namely yield stress, plastic viscosity, and thixotropy are evaluated. Limitations of the applicability of the various empirical methods are highlighted to avoid erroneous estimates of rheological characteristics. Established relations between flow properties of 3D printing mortar measured by empirical squeeze and penetration tests and the rheological characteristics are also presented. Other test methods for monitoring the output of concrete mixing trucks, including the imposed load and hydraulic pressure, and the correlations between the rheological performance are discussed for the application of in-drum measurement systems.