A conceptual model focusing on internal flocculation structures and water film thickness for analyzing fresh properties of cement paste containing attapulgite

A multiple sieve method for characterizing different flocculation structure sizes within cement paste was proposed. The effects of flocculation structures of different sizes on the fresh properties of cement paste containing attapulgite were investigated through grey theory. The bonding strength coefficient was proposed as a representative index to characterize the sizes and strengths of the flocculation structures. The water film thickness (WFT) and bonding strength coefficient were combined to establish a model for analyzing the fresh properties of cement paste. The results indicated that the flocculation structures in the interval of 0-425 mu m primarily affected the flow parameters and bleeding rate, while the flocculation structures > 425 mu m primarily affected the rheological parameters, thixotropy, and adhesiveness. BGA and GBA affected the fresh properties by changing the WFT and bonding strength coefficient. The WFT and the bonding strength coefficient together determined the fresh properties of the cement paste.