Effect of silica fume and slump-retaining polycarboxylate-based dispersant on the development of properties of portland cement paste

This paper investigates the effect of silica fume (SF), a slump-retaining polycarboxylate ether (PCE) dispersant, and their combinations, on the fresh and hardened properties of ordinary portland cement paste. The investigated properties include hydration kinetics, rheological properties (i.e., plastic viscosity and yield stress), setting time, and compressive strength. Cement was partially replaced by SF at mass substitution levels of 0%, 10%,...