Modification Effects of Nano-CaCO₃ on Engineering Performance of Cement Grouts

Efficacy of added nano-CaCO₃ (NC) on engineering performances, including fluidity, initial setting time, bleeding rate and yield stress of cement grouts was investigated in this study. Results showed that the fluidity and bleeding rate for NC-cement (NCC) composite grout first decreased with increased NC content (i.e., ratio of NC mass to cement mass) and then slightly recovered as the NC content exceeded 2%. The initial setting time was always reduced while the yield stress increased with increased NC content. The microstructure of NCC was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the NC can promote the cement hydration, but an excess amount of NC will inhibit the cement hydration and affect the engineering performances of cement grouts. The optimum NC content for modification of cement grouts was thus 2%.