Micro- and macroscale coefficients of friction of cementitious materials

Gilson Lomboy, Sriram Sundararajan, Kejin Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Millions of metric tons of cementitious materials are produced, transported and used in construction each year. The ease or difficulty of handling cementitious materials is greatly influenced by the material friction properties. In the present study, the coefficients of friction of cementitious materials were measured at the microscale and macroscale. The materials tested were commercially-available Portland cement, Class C fly ash, and ground granulated blast furnace slag. At the microscale, the coefficient of friction was determined from the interaction forces between cementitious particles using an Atomic Force Microscope. At the macroscale, the coefficient of friction was determined from stresses on bulk cementitious materials under direct shear. The study indicated that the microscale coefficient of friction ranged from 0.020 to 0.059, and the macroscale coefficient of friction ranged from 0.56 to 0.75. The fly ash studied had the highest microscale coefficient of friction and the lowest macroscale coefficient of friction.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)21-28
Number of pages8
JournalCement and Concrete Research
Volume54
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • General Materials Science

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