Influence of Cenosphere on Mechanical Properties and Rheological Behavior of Portland Cement

Cenosphere is a superfine hollow material spherical in shape with good cementitious properties. It is predominantly composed of alumino-silicate. Being finer than cement, these particles can distribute effectually throughout the cement paste and it can fill the micro-voids. This stuff enriches the overall particle packing performance in the mix. The mechanical and rheological properties have been studied for cementitious suspensions containing varying cenosphere contents (0–50%) with various water-to-cement ratios. The
tests evaluated the parameters such as flowability, packing density, and compressive strength. Results signposted that incorporating up to 30% cenosphere considerably upgraded both fresh and hardened properties of mix. Besides, cenosphere increased the water film thickness without any additional water, sustaining with better workability. These findings highlight cenosphere as a capable additive for enriching the performance of cement paste in the mix.