Development of microfine cement grouts by pulverizing ordinary cements

Three different cements (CEM I, CEM II/B-M and CEM IV/B according to EN 197-1) containing 0%, 23.5% and 38% of pozzolan, respectively, were pulverized to obtain three additional gradations from each cement, with nominal maximum grain sizes of 40, 20 and 10 μm. Cements with the two finer gradations are classified as “microfine” cements. Suspension properties, groutability and effectiveness of all cements were evaluated for water-to-cement ratios (W/C) of 1, 2 and 3 by weight. A superplasticizer was used to optimize rheological properties. The properties and performance of all suspensions tested are affected primarily by W/C ratio and cement fineness. All microfine cement suspensions have acceptable apparent viscosity, behave as Bingham fluids, are stable for W/C = 1, have reasonable setting times for field applications, have mostly predictable groutability and provide satisfactory strength to grouted sands. The finer gradations of II/B-M cement exhibited the best overall behavior and are considered as the most promising compared to similar gradations of the other two cements.