A Porous Stone Technique to Measure the Initial Water Uptake by Supplementary Cementitious Materials

The decades-long use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) as replacements for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) by the and concrete industry is undergoing a resurgence in research activities related to goals addressing circular economy activities, well reduction CO2 emissions. Differences chemistry, mineralogy reactivity SCMs compared OPC impact fresh properties concrete. Some exhibit greater initial water uptake thus compete strongly with during hydration. This study focuses on early interaction primary factor that determines resulting workability. Currently, no test (standard or otherwise) available quantifying interactions between materials. A quick reliable method measure presented herein, which relies their affinity water. enables calculation water-to-binder ratios different required achieve same workability reference OPC. results are then correlated measured slump bleed properties. We propose this simple technique be used researchers practitioners better predict concretes, mortars, pastes SCMs.