Influence of Cementing Paste Volume on Properties of Controlled Low Strength Materials

Abstract

Controlled low strength materials (CLSM) are gaining increasing importance with the growing emphasis on sustainability in the construction industry. Controlled low strength material can be a valuable application for the safe and efficient use of nonstandard materials such as industrial by-products, which are normally rejected for conventional concrete because of the negative impact on hardened properties. In the present study, a laboratory experiment was carried out to explore the effect of cementing paste volume on flowability and strength development of CLSM mixtures. The experimental results showed that the cementing paste volume had a more significant effect on the slump flow compared to the water to cementitious materials ratio (w∶cm); however, it had little effect on compressive strength of CLSM mixtures. It is proposed that the cementing paste volume can be used as an independent parameter to target a desired flow in proportioning of CLSM without compromising the compressive strength of the mixtures.