Simulation of the Influence of Rotational Speed on the Crushing of Cement Agglomerates

The uniform dispersion of cement agglomerates during the concrete mixing process affects the overall homogeneity of concrete and adversely affects its strength. To investigate the effect of mixing speed on the crushing of cement agglomerates, this article uses the discrete element software EDEM to simulate the process of crushing of cement agglomerates by collision with aggregates during the mixing process. Within the traditional mixing speed, three different mixing speeds are set to study the crushing ratio of cement agglomerates. The results show that, when other parameters are unchanged and the mixing speed is certain, the breaking of cement bonds shows a rapid increase in time and then a slow increase in time and finally tends to stabilize. To make the cement agglomerates uniformly dispersed, the mixing time should be maintained for more than 15 s at a speed of more than 60 rpm. When the speed is below 50 rpm, the mixing time should be extended and the mixing intensity should be increased.