Flowability in crushed sand mortar

Abstract

The present experimental study explored the relationship between mortar flowability and the voids content in crushed sand to determine the effect of grain shape and surface texture as well as dust content on the behaviour of fresh mortar. The findings revealed a close correlation between voids content and the volume of paste needed for mortar to begin to flow as a continuous material, mortar flowability and the water content needed to attain a given flowability. The comparison of the empirical findings to the results obtained with the Larrard (1, 2) model provided further information on the effect of sand grain morphology on fresh mortars.

Keywords

• manufactured sand
• crushed sand
• shape and surface texture
• fresh mortar