Prediction of Concrete Pumping Using Various Rheological Models

Abstract

When concrete is being transported through a pipe, the lubrication layer is formed at the interface between concrete and the pipe wall and is the major factor facilitating concrete pumping. A possible mechanism that illustrates to the formation of the layer is the shear-induced particle migration and determining the rheological parameters is a paramount factor to simulate the concrete flow in pipe. In this study, numerical simulations considering various rheological models in the shear-induced particle migration were conducted and compared with 170 m full-scale pumping tests. It was found that the multimodal viscosity model representing concrete as a three-phase suspension consisting of cement paste, sand and gravel can accurately simulate the lubrication layer. Moreover, considering the particle shape effects of concrete constituents with increased intrinsic viscosity can more exactly predict the pipe flow of pumped concrete.