Effect of fine sand on the rheology of fresh cement asphalt mortar

Controlling the rheological properties of cement asphalt (CA) mortar has been of great importance to its construction properties. In the present paper, the effects of sand, i.e. particle size and fineness module of sand, sand to paste ratio (R-s/p) and paste film thickness (PFT) on the rheological properties of CA mortar were studied with the use of a rheometer. The results show that the properties and content of sand have a strong influence on the rheology of CA mortar. The yield stress and apparent viscosity of CA mortar is decreased with the increasing of particle size and fineness module of sand and PFT, and the decreasing of R-s/p. The key factor of sand to determine the rheology of CA mortar is the PFT.