Environmentally friendly viscosity-modifying agent for self-compacting mortar: Cladophora sp. cellulose nanofibres

• Published in: European journal of environmental and civil engineering Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 2015 - 2030
• Main Authors: Türk, Furkan, Kaya, Murat, Saydan, Murat, Keskin, Ülkü Sultan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 04.04.2023
• Subjects: Algae; Cladophora sp; eutrophication; self-compacting mortar; viscosity modifying agent
• ISSN: 1964-8189; 2116-7214
• DOI: 10.1080/19648189.2022.2108502

Admixtures such as viscosity modifying agents and mineral admixtures could be used to regulate the rheological behaviour of the self-compacting concrete mixture. Herein, cellulose nanofibres obtained from Cladophora sp., a bio-waste that pollutes water bodies and threatens the ecosystem, were used to provide appropriate plastic viscosity in self-compacting mortars instead of a traditional viscosity modifying agent known as Welan gum (WG). Within the scope of the study, mini-slump, mini-V funnel, viscosity tests, compressive-flexural strength tests and FE-SEM analyses were performed on the mortar and cement paste specimens prepared. According to the rheological results, increases of up to 93% in plastic viscosity and increases of up to 10 times in yield stress were observed in the CCF-used specimens. On the other hand, increases in yield stress up to seven times and in plastic viscosity up to 37% were determined in the specimens with WG added. Moreover, as a result of mechanical tests, increases of up to 15% in compressive strength and up to 7% increases in flexural strength were observed in the WG-added specimens. While the decreases of up to 4% in compressive strength were observed, increases of up to 12% in flexural strength were detected in the CCF-added specimens.