Effect of different sand grading on strength properties of cement grout

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2013-01, Vol.38, p.348-355
• Main Authors: Lim, Siong Kang, Tan, Cher Siang, Chen, Kah Pin, Lee, Min Lee, Lee, Wah Peng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Cement; Cement grout; Chemical properties; Grout (Mortar); Sand grading; Strengths; Water to cement ratio
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.08.030

► Three different refined sand grading were used in prepare of cement grout (CG). ► Finer sand filler contributes to higher mechanical strengths of CG. ► CG with finer sand is more durable when exposed to tropical air condition. ► Cubes’ compressive strength was lower compared to that of one-half prisms. This paper aims to study the consistency and strength properties of cement grouts prepared with three different sand grading namely 100% passing through 1.18mm sieve (P1.18mm), 0.90mm sieve (P0.90mm) and 0.60mm sieve (P0.60mm), respectively. The measured flowing time indicated that the specimens with the finer sand grading had lower flowability than those of the coarser sand grading. As the results, the finer sand grading specimens required a higher water to cement ratio to achieve an equivalent workability. The specimens with the coarser sand grading obtained higher 7 and 28days compressive strengths than those of the finer sand grading when the lower water to cement ratio was adopted (0.61–0.63). However, when the higher water to cement ratio (0.65–0.67) was used, the specimens with the finer sand grading achieved higher long-term compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strengths than those of the coarser sand grading.