Evaluating the Rheology Properties of Self-Consolidating Concrete Using the Plate Test Method

Setting time and thixotropy of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixtures are two important parameters that affect the early age properties. In order to determine these parameters, there are traditional methods that have advantages and disadvantages such as low accuracy or high cost of testing. The aim of this study is introducing an acceptable method (called plate test) of determining setting time and thixotropy of SCC mixtures. The proposed method is including a rough plate immersed in fresh mixture from one side and attached to the accurate scale from another side. In this study the thixotropy of different self-consolidating concrete mixtures (SCC) containing silica fume and slag were tested. Results of the thixotropy obtained from the plate test were compared with the results obtained from penetration resistance and rheometer respectively. Results showed that the mixture containing slag produced the less temperature comparing with the mixture containing silica fume. It was also shown that the amount of thixotropy obtained from the plate test had a difference of 4% up to 10% in comparison with the rheometer and the results of the setting time had also shown a maximum difference of 9% compared with the results of penetration resistance test. The results proved that the plate test has an acceptable accuracy and can be recommended.