Open Access

ARTICLE

Optimization of Cement-Based Slurry Mix Design Incorporating Silica Fume for Enhanced Setting and Strength Performance

Ke Li¹, Bendong Liu¹, Yulong Han², Yafeng Zhang³, Chunqi Yang¹, Dawei Yin², Yazhou Zhang³, Wantao Ding^4,*

1 PowerChina Railway Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100070, China
2 China Water Resources and Hydropower Fourth Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd., Xining, 810007, China
3 China Water Resources and Hydropower Eleventh Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou, 450001, China
4 School of Qilu Transportation, Shandong University, Jinan, 250002, China

* Corresponding Author: Wantao Ding. Email:

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(11), 2779-2793. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2025.072671

Received 01 September 2025; Accepted 13 November 2025; Issue published 01 December 2025

Abstract

Traditional cement-based slurries are often constrained by excessive cement consumption, prolonged setting times, and limited controllability, which hinder their broader engineering applications. To overcome these challenges, this study focuses on optimizing ordinary cement-based slurry through the incorporation of targeted additives and rational adjustment of mix proportions, with the aim of developing a rapid-setting, early-strength cementitious system. In particular, a series of comparative and orthogonal experiments were conducted to systematically examine the evolution of the slurry’s macroscopic properties. In addition, the response surface methodology (RSM) was introduced to reveal the interaction mechanisms among key parameters, thereby establishing a quantitative foundation for the precise regulation of slurry performance. The comparative results demonstrate that silica fume significantly outperforms fly ash in enhancing both the rheological and mechanical behavior of the slurry. Regarding fluidity, the average consistency and slump of the silica fume mixture were reduced by 80 mm and 75 mm, respectively, compared with those containing fly ash, indicating more effective control of flowability. In terms of setting and strength development, the silica fume slurry exhibited a setting time up to 9.6 h shorter and a compressive strength up to 3.6 MPa higher under identical mix conditions. These results confirm the clear superiority of silica fume in promoting rapid solidification and early strength gain.

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Keywords

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