The main objective of this deliverable was the selection of compatible constituents for representative mixtures as basis for the development of representative mix designs. The mix design of mixtures for an European project have to cover on one hand general and on the other hand regional specific properties relating to very different climatic conditions within Europe.
Therefore one typical cement was chosen for every climatic region.
All partners decided to use the same aggregate, the same type of silica fume and fly ash, the same 2 types of blast furnace slag as well as the same type of air entrainment agent and superplasticizer to ensure the compatibility of the mixtures among each other. Extensive tests were conducted to assess the material properties. The following list gives an overview about the test which has been carry out:
-cement: chemical analysis, density, XRD, Particle size distribution, compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, specific surface area, water demand, setting
-aggregate: sieve curves, mineralogical description, water uptake
-silica fume: chemical analysis, particle size distribution, activity index,
-fly ash: chemical analysis, particle size distribution, setting activity index, water demand
-blast furnace slags: chemical analysis, particle size distribution superplasticizer: effectiveness in different cements
-air entrained agent: effectiveness in different cements
A high number of test mixtures were performed to assess the compatibility of the materials and to establish consistent mixture guidelines for all 3-production partners. Totally, 40 at IBPM, 5 at HUT, 25 at NBI, 5 at ITC trial mixes have been carried out. Some rheological testing was done at IBPM with HWU from the SUPERPLAST project additionally to assess the fresh concrete properties with the CONLIFE admixtures. These tests are part of the Cluster activities. As result of this extensive examination of every single constituent as well as its behaviour in combination with the other components 22 mixtures for each climatic region were developed.