Compatibility of Superplasticizers With Natural Pozzolan Blended Cement: Multi-Criteria Compatibility Index Through Rheology and Hydration Kinetics

Abstract

An effective technique to decrease carbon dioxide emissions in the cement industry is the partial replacement of clinker with supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs). Given the restricted supply of by-product SCMs such fly ash, blast furnace slag, and silica fume, natural pozzolans provide viable options in the manufacturing of blended cement. In cementitious systems with natural pozzolans, the use of superplasticizers is essential to compensate for the reduced workability caused by their higher water demand. This study investigates the compatibility of different superplasticizer types, administered at similar dosages, with Portland cement containing 40% natural pozzolan, focusing on paste rheology and hydration kinetics. A Multi-Criteria Compatibility Index (MCCI) was created to provide a comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of compatibility between natural pozzolans and different types of superplasticizers, utilizing rheological and hydration kinetics within a weighted scoring framework. The assessment findings indicated that PMS displayed the best overall compatibility, principally owing to its improved hydration properties, but PNS revealed enhanced performance in rheological characteristics. PCA demonstrated restricted compatibility in both categories. The MCCI framework delivered a balanced and thorough comparison unattainable by single-parameter studies, providing a solid methodological foundation for future study on SCM-admixture compatibility.