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Inclined Plane Test Method to Determine Structural Build-Up at Rest of Self-

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 ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL
Title no. 107-M59
Inclined Plane Test to Evaluate Structural Buildup at Rest
of Self-Consolidating Concrete
by Kamal Henri Khayat, Ahmed F. Omran, and Trimbak V. Pavate
After casting, concrete flow resistance increases due to physical
restructuring and cement hydration, thus affecting some key
characteristics of the material, including segregation resistance,
lateral pressure exerted on formwork, and bond between successive
lifts. A systematic program was undertaken to evaluate the structural
buildup of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) using a novel
inclined plane method. The critical angle of the plane at the
commencement of movement of the sheared material placed onto a
roughened surface is used to determine static yield stress. Repetitive
tests carried out on SCC indicate that the rate of structural buildup
has a relative error of 7 to 9%, depending on thixotropic level and
shear history. Comparisons carried out with 29 SCC mixtures of
various compositions demonstrate that yield stress characteristics
determined using the inclined plane method are comparable to
those measured using a concrete rheometer (R2 = 0.82).
Keywords: inclined plane; rheology; self-consolidating concrete; structural
breakdown; structural buildup; thixotropy; viscosity; yield stress.
INTRODUCTION
The yield stress of viscoelastic materials, such as
cosmetics, mayonnaise, paint, quick clays, snow slides, and
flowable cement-based materials, exhibit a solid-like
behavior under small applied stresses and a liquid-like
behavior when the applied shear stress exceeds the intrinsic
yield stress of the material. In spite of the macroscopic
similarities between these materials, the microscopic
behavior mechanisms are quite different. The increase of
viscosity of a sample left at rest is termed as “aging,”
whereas the decrease of viscosity with mixing time under a
given shear rate is termed as “shear rejuvenation.”1 Thixotropy
can be defined as a decrease of viscosity of the material with
time when the material is made to flow under a given shear
rate.1 Thixotropy is a reversible phenomenon, meaning that
the viscosity begins to increase following a given period of
rest or when the material is subjected to a very low shear rate
over a certain lapse of time. This is referred to as structural
recovery or structural buildup at rest and is related to the
coagulation of the material, leading to an increase in internal
shear resistance, or static yield stress (τ0rest), which increases
with rest time.2 Thixotropy and the related structural
buildup at rest are prominent features of many complex
fluids and appear to be present when the τ0rest is also
present. Theoretically, τ0rest is defined as the stress at
which viscosity changes from being infinite to having a
finite value. τ0rest and thixotropy are not inherent material
properties because they depend on the shear history of the
system. τ0rest can vary more than one order of magnitude,
depending on measurement technique and duration.2
Both thixotropy and structural buildup at rest are intimately
linked and are generated from the same cause: the interplay
between flow and structure (restructuring) of a fluid.1 The
magnitude of thixotropy is dependent on the microstructure,
ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010
TECHNICAL PAPER
and in particular on: (a) the size of the floc; (b) the favorable
spatial distribution of particles; (c) entanglement density;
and (d) molecular association in polymer solutions.
Thixotropic behavior is encountered in some solid dispersion
systems where bond between various molecules, leading to
a rise in cohesiveness, can correspond to hydrogen or ionic
bond on the molecular level and internal friction from solid
particles.2,3 Such bond is predominant at a low shear rate and
can be destroyed by mixing at a high shear rate. The
reagglomeration and recovery of bond between adjacent
molecules can be established following a rest period.
Cementitious systems are non-Newtonian fluids exhibiting
a τ0rest that must be surmounted for flow to occur.
Frequently, the literature describes the flow curves of
concrete as conforming to the Bingham model. This
approximation is probably only valid for a low shear rate. In
fact, yield stress and plastic viscosity values are shown to be
exponential functions of water content and the flow
characteristics related to structural breakdown (that is,
breakdown of existing bonds due to hydration and hydrogen
and van der Waals bonds on a molecular scale).4 This is
manifested by a decrease of the external energy that keeps
the concrete in a fluid state and gives rise to the development
of hysteresis loops. Hysteresis loops are typical of thixotropic
materials. In the presence of water, a large number of very
small particles in a cementitious system interact via colloidal
forces (van der Waals, double layer, steric), whereas bigger
grains interact via direct contact (friction and collision).
Thus, there are networks of colloidal interaction and grain-
to-grain interaction. The addition of chemical admixtures,
such as high-range water-reducing admixtures (HRWRAs)
and viscosity-modifying admixtures (VMAs), can alter the
rheological properties of the system. Therefore, highly flowable
materials made with a low water-cementitous material ratio
(w/cm), HRWRAs, and VMAs can behave differently than
conventional cement-based systems with respect to rest time.
Evaluation of thixotropy
The proper evaluation of structural breakdown and
buildup at rest of highly flowable concrete, including self-
consolidating concrete (SCC), is important because these
time-dependent rheological properties can affect a number
of key properties of concrete, including static stability,
maximum formwork pressure and its decay after casting, air
entrapment and surface finish, and interlayer bond strength
between successive concrete lifts in the absence of mechanical
ACI Materials Journal, V. 107, No. 5, September-October 2010.
MS No. M-2009-372 received November 5, 2009, and reviewed under Institute
publication policies. Copyright © 2010, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved,
including the making of copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors.
Pertinent discussion including authors’ closure, if any, will be published in the July-August
2011 ACI Materials Journal if the discussion is received by April 1, 2011.
515

Kamal Henri Khayat, FACI, is a Professor of civil engineering at the Université de
Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. He received his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in
civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. He is
Chair of ACI Committee 237, Self-Consolidating Concrete; and a member of ACI
Committees 234, Silica Fume in Concrete; 236, Material Science of Concrete; 238,
Workability of Fresh Concrete; and 552, Cementitious Grouting. His research interests
include SCC, high-performance concrete, rheology of cement-based materials, and
concrete repair.
Ahmed F. Omran is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Université de Sherbrooke. He
received his BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from the University of Minoufia,
Shibin el Kom, Egypt. He received his PhD from the Université de Sherbrooke. His
research interests include formwork pressure and concrete rheology.
Trimbak V. Pavate is a Visiting Research Professor at the Université de Sherbrooke.
He received his BE from the University of Pune, Pune, India; his ME from the Indian
Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Roorkee, India; and his PhD from the Indian
Institute of Technology, Bombay, Bombay, India. His research interests include
electrochemical processes of solid-liquid systems.
consolidation during the placement of the top layer.5-9 SCC
mixtures with a high degree of thixotropy can lead to a faster
increase in shear-strength properties (internal friction and
cohesion) after casting, thus precluding the development of
high lateral pressure against the formwork. This can enable
the design of a more cost-effective formwork system
without the need to reduce the casting rate of the highly
flowable materials.
A number of approaches have been used to determine the
thixotropy of cement-based materials based on the structural
breakdown or structural buildup approach. Typically, these
measurements require a rheometer capable of measuring
shear stresses at various shear rates. By using shear stress
versus shear rate data, hysteresis loops can be plotted. The
shape of such loops can progressively change, that is, shear
thinning or shear thickening according to the composition of
the concrete and mixing history.10 Variations in the shape of
the down-curve of the hysteresis loop can be related to the
structural buildup as it corresponds to the rate of stiffening of
the cement-based material.11
A second approach to evaluate thixotropy consists of
determining the structural breakdown of the concrete due to
shearing action. This approach to evaluate thixotropy
consists of fixing the rotational speed, N, of a coaxial
concrete rheometer and recording the variations in structural
breakdown of the material with respect to time.12,13 For each
rotational speed, a peak yield stress, τi, corresponding to the
initial structural condition, and thereafter shear stress decay
with time toward a minimum value, τe, corresponding to an
equilibrium condition that is independent of the shear
history, are noted. The area comprised between the initial
flow curve (τi versus N) and the equilibrium flow curve (τe
versus N) is calculated to quantify the amplitude of the thixo-
tropic phenomenon (structural breakdown area). Using this
approach, it is shown that the initial lateral pressure exerted
by SCC and the rate of pressure drop after casting determined
using a 2.8 m (9.2 ft) high polyvinyl chloride (PVC) column
measuring 200 mm (8 in.) in diameter are directly related to
the structural breakdown area determined at different time
intervals.14 The increase in coarse aggregate content (lower
paste volume) was shown to increase the structural breakdown
area and decrease the lateral pressure exerted by SCC, which
is attributed to the increase in internal friction and collision
resulting from the increase in aggregate volume.13 On the
other hand, the rate of drop in lateral pressure following
casting can mainly depend on the development of cohesion
with time. SCC containing higher binder content and/or a
516
set-accelerating admixture can exhibit a greater degree of
cohesion and hence a higher rate of pressure drop.13
A third approach to evaluate thixotropy is to determine the
structural buildup of the material following a certain period
of rest by measuring the rate of increase in τ0rest at rest. This
reflects the coagulation state of the material that enables it to
regain its shear strength when left at rest. This approach can
be employed using a rheometer through the concept of
measuring yield strain where the material is subjected to
minute shear rate (angular velocity) until the initiation of
flow.7,15 The critical stress necessary to mobilize the material
from rest is the static yield stress. The rate of structural
buildup at rest can also be evaluated using the inclined plane
test, which measures a yield angle (critical angle) necessary
to initiate the flow of a thin layer of material placed on an
inclined plane. This approach is described in more detail in
the following and has been successfully used to assess the
structural yield stress at rest of various gels, clay suspensions,
bentonite slurries, soft glassy materials, mud flow, snow
slides and, more recently, flowable cement-based materials.3
The inclined plane approach has been used to demonstrate
the interplay between the static yield stress and thixotropy.2,3
For any material that is considered to be thixotropic, once the
critical slope is reached in the inclined plane, the sample
starts flowing. Thixotropy leads to a decrease in viscosity,
and therefore the flow accelerates, resulting in an avalanche
of the flow. During aging, it is the reverse of an avalanche
that occurs, resulting in increased viscosity and decreased
shear rate.16 Aging becomes easier at low shear rates.
Normally, rebuilding time varies depending on the composition
of cementitious materials and dosage of chemical admixtures.
The study presented in this paper aims at expanding the
knowledge base of the inclined plane technique for estimating
the structural buildup of highly flowable self-leveling mortar
and SCC systems. Such knowledge is important to the design
and control of the rheological properties that affect the initial
lateral pressure exerted by SCC on formwork systems and
the rate of pressure drop in time.
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
A novel technique aimed at determining the rate of structural
buildup of SCC is presented. The inclined plane approach is
a simple test method enabling the determination of the static
yield stress of flowable cement-based materials after a given
time of rest. Such a technique can be employed to design
SCC with a high rate of structural buildup to enhance static
stability and also to reduce formwork pressure without
hindering the casting rate. Similarly, SCC can be optimized
to exhibit low thixotropy to mitigate loss of bond (green
strength) between successive layers in the absence of mechanical
consolidation between two successive concrete lifts.
INCLINED PLANE TEST FOR
FLOWABLE MORTAR AND SCC
Schematic details of the inclined plane are shown in Fig. 1.
The inclined plane test setup consists of two plates: a bottom
horizontal nonmovable plate and an upper movable plate.
The bottom plate is fixed by a pair of hinges to the upper
plate so that it can be easily moved upwards to any inclination
and can also be locked by tightening screws. A protractor can
be held or fixed between the joint of the horizontal and
inclined plates to measure the inclination of the plane.
The flow mechanism of the material down an inclined
plane lifted at a particular critical angle (angle at which the
ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010
downward flow at the upper layer starts) can be explained
phenomenologically by fundamental physical concepts. For
one-dimensional analysis, let mass m be kept on an inclined
plane making angle θ, as shown in the free body diagram in
Fig. 2. Two types of external forces affect the downward
momentum of the system: 1) the gravitational force Fg =
m·g·sinθ; and 2) the frictional force fk, where g·sinθ is an
acceleration due to the gravity resolved along the inclined
plane. The force that initiates flow is then taken as the
difference between these two forces: m·g·sinθ – fk. The fk
force in Fig. 2 exists between the bottom of the block of mass
m and the top surface of the inclined plane when the entire
block begins to slide down the inclined plane. To eliminate Fig. 1—Schematic of inclined plane test.
sliding of the mass, the surface of the inclined plane is
roughened using a suitable sandpaper laid over the entire
surface of the plane. Shearing can then occur near the top of
the sample when the inclined plane is slowly raised until the
top material begins to flow downwards. Keeping in view the
mobility of the flowing mass after shearing at a particular
inclination, only the gravitational force triggers the downward
flow of the material. The sheared mass of the cementitious
material on the plane with an angle of θ and an effective
height of h begins to flow downward due to gravitational
acceleration. Considering ρ as density of the material, the
shear stress τ0rest, due to the downward force, is given by

τ 0rest = ρgh sin θ (1)

With increasing rest time, the critical angle increases, and
hence the corresponding τ0rest. An increase in τ0rest with
respect to rest time reflects the structural buildup of the
cementitious material with time.
To conduct the tests efficiently using the inclined plane
approach, many preliminary tests were conducted to formulate
a protocol of testing that can reflect the flow characteristics
of highly flowable mortar and SCC. Tests were first carried
out with bentonite slurry so as to formulate a protocol for
proper use of the inclined plane approach. The test protocol
that was finally adopted in this investigation for the inclined
plane test for SCC is presented in Appendix A.
Initially, for the development of this test, the inclined
plane was coated with a commercial resin and fine Ottawa
sand. Uniformity of surface roughness was difficult to
obtain, however. The next attempt aimed at using commercial
waterproof sandpapers. These are designated by the size of
the grit, which is defined with reference to the number of
abrasive particles per 1 in. (25.4 mm) of sandpaper. A lower
grit number indicates higher roughness of the sandpaper and,
conversely, a higher grit number refers to a smoother sandpaper.
Initially, sandpapers with lower grit numbers (grit numbers
200 and 400) were tried. This measure proved to be less
effective given the high friction with the tested sample; when
the inclination of the upper surface was increased to initiate
flow, the whole sample began to slide without any shearing
at the top surface. A superfine sandpaper having a grit
number of 600 was finally selected and gave satisfactory
results. The selected sandpaper is made of aluminum oxide
abrasive material and is waterproof, necessitating changes
every 10 to 15 tests.
To fill the known quantity of mortar or flowing concrete,
different types of containers were tested. Initially, small
cylindrical containers of 20 mm (0.78 in.) in diameter and
40 mm (1.57 in.) in height were used. The size proved to be
Fig. 2—Free-body diagram of mass m kept on inclined
plane with slope angle θ.16
very small for cement mortar, even though the container had
given good results for bentonite slurries that were initially
tested. The next type of containers to be used were conical
hopper containers of a truncated cone shape measuring 70 mm
(2.75 in.) in lower diameter, 55 mm (2.17 in.) in upper diameter,
and 70 mm (2.75 in.) in height. They also proved to be of
marginal utility in the case of mortar and concrete. Finally,
cylinders of 60 mm (2.36 in.) in diameter and 120 mm (4.72 in.)
in height opened at both ends were selected. They are filled
with mortar to a marked height of 100 mm (3.93 in.), and to
the top in the case of SCC. The use of different heights for
fluid mortar is for practical convenience so that the spread of
flowing material after lifting the cylinder would be within
the width of the inclined plane.
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
The investigation was carried out on 29 SCC mixtures and
aimed at comparing the rheological properties of SCC
mixtures determined using the inclined plane method to
those obtained using a concrete rheometer. Measured
responses included the τ0rest determined at four successive
rest periods up to 60 minutes, necessitating four inclined
plane setups. The rate of increase in τ0rest at rest was also
determined using a coaxial vane rheometer on concrete
samples subjected to four successive rest periods. One of the
SCC mixtures (SCC20) was repeated four times to determine
the variations of τ0rest measurements carried out between 15
and 60 minutes of rest measured using the inclined plane test
and concrete rheometer.

ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010 517

Table 1—Ranges of mixture designs of 29 tested SCC mixtures
Range From To
Type GU cement 295 (497) 422 (711)
Type HE cement 352 (593) 352 (593)
Cementitious materials, kg/m3 (lb/yd3) Type MS cement 500 (843) 500 (843)
Type GUb-S/SF cement 353 (595) 560 (944)
Class F fly ash 85 (143) 168 (283)
Total cementitious materials, kg/m3 (lb/yd3) 393 (662) 560 (944)
3 3 139 (234) 267 (450)
Water, kg/m (lb/yd )
w/cm 0.34 0.47
Sand (0 to 5 mm [0 to 3/16 in.]), kg/m3 (lb/yd3) 560 (944) 995 (1677)
2.5 to 10 mm (1/8 to 3/8 in.) 685 (1154) 830 (1399)
3 3 5 to 14 mm (3/16 to 9/16 in.) 732 (1233) 985 (1660)
Coarse aggregate, kg/m (lb/yd )
5 to 20 mm (3/16 to 3/4 in.) 812 (1368) 812 (1368)
PCE HRWRA 1.7 (0.046) 10 (0.27)
VMA 0.5 (0.0135) 4.1 (0.111)
Admixture, L/m3 (ft3/yd3) SRA 0.54 (0.0146) 0.9 (0.024)
WRA 0.82 (0.221) 0.96 (0.026)
AEA 0.11 (0.003) 0.11 (0.003)
Paste volume, Vp, L/m3 (ft3/yd3) 290 (7.83) 498 (13.45)
S/A, by volume 0.44 0.55
Slump flow, mm (in.) 560 (21.8) 720 (28.1)

MATERIALS Table 1. The cementitious materials content varied from 395 to

The 29 SCC mixtures (SCC1 to SCC29) were proportioned
with various constituent materials covering a wide range of
mixture designs, including SCC for precast, prestressed
applications and structural cast-in-place SCC for building
construction and for infrastructure repair. Several types of
binders were used for the mixtures shown in Table 1,
including a general use cement (CSA Type GU), a high-
early-strength cement (CSA Type HE), a moderate sulfate
cement (CSA Type MS), and a ternary cement made with
approximately 25% slag and 5% silica fume. The mixtures
made with Type GU or Type HE cement included 25% Class F
fly ash replacement by mass of total cementitious materials. The
Blaine fineness values of Type GU, HE, and MS cements
and the fly ash are 385, 475, 390, and 410 m 2/kg (1880,
2320, 1905, and 2000 ft2/lb), respectively. Crushed lime-
stone aggregate with a maximum aggregate size of 10, 14, and
20 mm (0.39, 0.55, and 0.79 in.) and siliceous river-bed sand
were used. The grain-size distributions of the sand and coarse
aggregate are within CSA A.23.1 standards. The limestone
fine aggregate did not contain any fines passing 75 μm (No. 200).
The bulk specific gravities of the three coarse aggregates are 2.70,
2.70, and 2.73, respectively, and that of the sand is 2.70. The
absorption rates of the three coarse aggregates are 0.57%, 0.38%,
and 0.36%, respectively, and that of the sand is 1.16%. As
indicated in Table 1, a number of chemical admixtures
were incorporated in the investigated SCC mixtures, such as
polycarboxylate ether (PCE)-based HRWRA. The solid
content and specific gravity of the HRWRA are 22% and
1.04, respectively. A liquid-based VMA (39% solid content)
was used.
MIXTURE COMPOSITION AND TESTING
The 29 SCC mixtures were tested using both a coaxial
concrete rheometer and the inclined plane test to correlate
the results. The ranges of the mixture proportioning
employed for Mixtures SCC1 to SCC29 are summarized in
560 kg/m3 (665 to 945 lb/yd3), and the volume of coarse
aggregate ranged between 270 to 330 L/m3 (7.3 to 8.9 ft3/yd3)
to secure different thixotropic values. The w/cm varied from
0.34 to 0.47, and the initial slump flow ranged from 600 to
720 mm (23.6 to 28.3 in.), except for Mixtures SCC4 to
SCC7, where the slump flow consistency was limited to
560 mm (22 in.).
The mixing procedure for the SCC mixtures consisted of
homogenizing the aggregate with one-third of the mixing
water for 1 minute. The cementitious materials were then
added, followed by the HRWRA diluted with one-third of
the mixing water. After mixing for 3 minutes, the remaining
one-third of the water was introduced with the VMA (whenever
applicable), and the material was mixed for 2 minutes.
Following 2 minutes of rest, the material was remixed for
30 seconds. The ambient temperature during mixing and
testing was maintained at approximately 22°C (72°F).
Following the end of mixing (7.5 minutes after the initial
contact of cement with water), the slump flow was determined,
and then the rheological parameters were evaluated in
parallel at predetermined periods using four sets of inclined
planes and a concrete rheometer.
Fifteen minutes after the contact of water and cement,
cylinders placed on the upper plate of the inclined planes
were filled, then lifted one by one and covered until the time
of testing. The rest periods for the SCC samples ranged
between 15 and 60 minutes. Shorter periods were employed
for concrete mixtures exhibiting high thixotropy with a
relatively fast rate of gain in structural buildup at rest.
Yield stress at rest was also determined using the modified
concrete rheometer. A four-bladed vane rotating coaxially
was used for the impeller. The testing procedure consisted of
imposing a low rotational speed (N) of 0.03 rps to the vane
impeller immersed in a fresh sample of concrete subjected to
a certain rest period and recording the resulting increase in

518 ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010

torque as a function of time.15 The shear growth test
involved the determination of the maximum yielding torque
(Tmax) before torque decayed toward a steady-state region.
The τ0rest was calculated from Tmax given the geometry of
the yield surface and shear-stress distribution on the surface,
which was assumed to be uniform17
τ0rest = Tmax /K
where K = πD3/2[L/D + 1/3], L is the height of the vane, and
D is the diameter of the vane.
The concrete sample was lightly sheared at low rotational
speed during the shear growth test for 8 seconds per test. The
sample was then homogenized by hand and covered until the
following shear growth test. Depending on the degree of
thixotropy of the concrete mixture, the rest period between
successive shear growth test measurements varied from 5 to
15 minutes to enable four measurements within 1 hour. Unlike
static yield determined with the concrete rheometer, tests
carried out with the inclined plane approach were performed
on four undisturbed (virgin) samples taken from the same
concrete batch used for testing with the concrete rheometer.
The second rheological property obtained from the modified
concrete rheometer was the drop in apparent viscosity at
rotational speed, N, of 0.7 rps (Δηapp@N = 0.7rps). The
Δηapp@N = 0.7rps was measured for each of the four rest
times. To determine the Δηapp@N = 0.7rps, the concrete was
sheared at a high rotational speed of 0.7 rps until it reached
an equilibrium state. The maximum initial shear stress (τi)
and stress at equilibrium (τeq) were then determined. The
drop in apparent viscosity was expressed as the difference
between these two stresses divided by the shear rate that
corresponds to the 0.7 rps.18
The third rheological property obtained using the modified
concrete rheometer was the breakdown area (Ab1). To obtain
the Ab1 values, the testing protocol consisted of applying
constant rotational speeds of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 rps and
determining the initial shear stress (τi) and equilibrium shear
stress (τeq) at each rotational velocity. For each speed, the
spread between τi and τeq was determined and plotted
against shear rate. The integration of the area between curves
of τi and τeq versus shear rate was known as the “breakdown
area” (Ab1) and was used to quantify thixotropy.15
when tested with the inclined plane approach. Examples of such
an increase in τ0rest for selected mixtures, including the SCC20
mixture that was repeated four times, are given in Fig. 3.
For the SCC mixtures, the initial dynamic yield stress values
varied between 10 and 970 Pa (1.45 and 141 × 10–3 psi) and the
initial plastic viscosity values ranged from 35 to 745 Pa.s (5 and
108 × 10–3 psi.s), respectively. The initial τ0rest measured with
(2) a concrete rheometer using the shear growth approach ranged
between 120 and 1300 Pa (17 and 189 × 10–3 psi).
To determine the repeatability of the inclined plane test,
the variations of τ0rest with different resting periods deter-
mined for the SCC20 prepared four times were evaluated, as
shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 3. The repeatability was
evaluated statistically by determining the relative error (RE)
corresponding to a 95% confidence interval using the
Student’s distribution factor, as follows
σ
COV = ---100 ( % ) (3)
x
σ
RE = 3.1824 ---------- 100 ( % ) (4)
x n
where 3.1824 is a coefficient representing the 95% confi-
dence interval for the Student’s distribution for a number of
observations (n) equal to four, n is the number of observations,
COV is the coefficient of variation, σ is standard deviation,
and x is mean value of the observations.
The values of RE estimated for the τ0rest readings at
various resting times are given in Table 2. The RE of the

TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Structural buildup measurements with inclined
plane and concrete rheometer
All of the investigated SCC mixtures tested exhibited a Fig. 3—Typical results of variation of static yield stress with rest
steady increase in τ0rest during the 10- to 60-minute rest period time obtained using inclined plane test for various SCC mixtures.

Table 2—Repeatability results of SCC20 mixture using inclined plane and modified concrete rheometer
Static yield stress, τ0rest, Pa (psi) Statistical characteristics
Rest time,
Test minutes SCC20A SCC20B SCC20C SCC20D x, Pa (psi) σ, Pa (psi) COV, % RE, %
15 395 (0.057) 385 (0.056) 390 (0.057) 345 (0.050) 380 (0.055) 22 (0.003) 6 9
30 500 (0.073) 480 (0.070) 490 (0.071) 445 (0.065) 480 (0.070) 24 (0.003) 5 8
Inclined plane test
45 600 (0.087) 575 (0.083) 590 (0.086) 540 (0.078) 575 (0.083) 27 (0.004) 5 8
60 700 (0.102) 670 (0.097) 695 (0.101) 635 (0.092) 675 (0.0980) 30 (0.004) 4 7
15 470 (0.068) 430 (0.062) 480 (0.070) 410 (0.059) 445 (0.065) 33 (0.005) 7 12
30 630 (0.091) 600 (0.087) 630 (0.091) 555 (0.080) 605 (0.088) 34 (0.005) 6 9
Modified concrete rheometer
45 790 (0.115) 770 (0.112) 780 (0.113) 705 (0.102) 760 (0.110) 39 (0.006) 5 8
60 950 (0.138) 940 (0.136) 930 (0.135) 855 (0.124) 920 (0.133) 45 (0.007) 5 8
Note: x is average; σ is standard deviation; COV is coefficient of variation; and RE is relative error corresponding to 95% confidence limit.

ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010 519

Fig. 4—Correlation between initial static yield stress
obtained with concrete rheometer and inclined plane test at
15 minutes of rest for SCC1 to SCC29 (1200 Pa, 0.174 psi
corresponds to maximum possible value with inclined plane).
Fig. 5—Static yield stress after 15 minutes of rest obtained
using inclined plane versus drop in apparent viscosity at
0.7 rps obtained using concrete rheometer for Mixtures
SCC1 to SCC29.
τ0rest values determined at four successive resting periods
varied between 7 and 9%, indicating good reliability of the
inclined plane approach. The RE values for the four repetitions
of the τ0rest determined with the concrete rheometer were
slightly higher than those of the inclined plane, varying
between 8 and 12%.
The τ0rest results of the 29 SCC mixtures determined using
the inclined plane approach are compared to those obtained
with the modified concrete rheometer in Fig. 4 to 6. As
shown in Fig. 4, τ0rest obtained using the inclined plane
approach correlate well with data obtained with the concrete
rheometer (correlation factor, R2 = 0.82). Values of τ0rest
from the inclined plane approach are, on average, 5% lower
than those obtained from the concrete rheometer. This is
mainly due to the basic change in shear phenomena occurring
in the two types of tests. In the modified rheometer, the
rotational shear phenomenon is observed, whereas in the
inclined plane, the shear phenomenon is unidirectional flow.
The shear stresses measured using rotational rheometers would
be higher than those observed in the unidirectional flow.19
520
Fig. 6—Static yield stress after 15 minutes of rest obtained
using inclined plane versus breakdown area (Ab1) obtained
using concrete rheometer for Mixtures SCC1 to SCC29.
Fig. 7—Relationship between time-dependent static yield
stresses obtained with inclined plane test and concrete
rheometer for Mixtures SCC1 to SCC29.
The correlation coefficients obtained between rest times of
15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes for the τ0rest values obtained from
the inclined plane approach and the concrete rheometer were
indeed satisfactory. When all data points are considered for
the four rest periods of 15 to 60 minutes, the correlation was
as follows: IP τ0rest = 0.85 × Rheometer τ0rest R2 = 0.78. The
correlation presented in Fig. 3 is higher due to the similar
shear history of the samples tested after 15 minutes of rest for
both the inclined plane and rheometer tests.
The relationship of Δηapp@N = 0.7rps obtained from the
modified concrete rheometer to τ0rest obtained using the
inclined plane approach is indicated in Fig. 5. For 16 selected
SCC mixtures, the Ab1 values were evaluated using the
modified concrete rheometer and compared to the τ0rest
obtained after the first rest time using the inclined plane
approach. These results are plotted in Fig. 6. Finally, the
relationship between the time-dependent change of τ0rest or
the evolution of τ0rest with time (τ0rest(t)) expressed in Pa/min.
obtained using the inclined plane approach and equivalent
results obtained from the concrete rheometer are shown in
Fig. 7. The τ0rest(t) values were obtained from the slopes of
lines similar to those shown in Fig. 3 that correlates the τ0rest
ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010
value and time of rest. The relationships obtained in Fig. 4 to
7, with their correlation factors and numbers of data points
(N), can be summarized as follows
IP τ 0rest = 0.95 × Rheometer τ 0rest
(5)
2 School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Division of Concrete
R = 0.82 N = 29
IP τ 0rest = 1.23 × Δη app@N = 0.7rps + 263
(6)
2 and Structures, V. 39, No. 2, 2006, pp. 269-279.
R = 0.67 N = 28
IP τ 0rest = 1.00 × Ab 1 + 189
(7)
2 of Cement Pastes,” Cement and Concrete Research, V. 11, No. 3, 1981,
R = 0.85 N = 16
IP τ 0rest ( t ) = 0.6 × Rheometer τ 0rest ( t )
(8)
2 on the Design and Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete and the 4th
R = 0.93 N = 27
Based on the aforementioned results, the inclined plane
approach is clearly shown to enable the evaluation of the
magnitude of thixotropy and structural buildup by determining
the initial τ0rest at different rest times or the rate of τ0rest growth
with respect to rest time (time-dependent change of τ0rest).
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, an inclined plane test was developed
and used to evaluate the structural buildup at rest of SCC. In
all, 29 SCC mixtures of different mixture designs were used
to compare the structural buildup of concrete obtained from
the inclined plane test to that determined using a concrete
rheometer. Based on the results of this study, the following
conclusions are drawn:
1. The inclined plane test is shown to be a useful and
convenient method for the evaluation of thixotropy in the
case of flowable cementitious mixtures.
2. The critical angle at which the flow commences on an
inclined plane increases with rest time, reflecting an increase
in the degree of structural buildup of the material. Smaller
critical angles are indicative of lower structural buildup behavior.
3. Similar results are obtained by the inclined plane and by
the modified concrete rheometer.
4. The inclined plane can therefore be proposed to evaluate
thixotropy and structural buildup of flowable concrete and
can be easily used in the field and in the laboratory.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the National Ready
Mix Concrete Education and Research Foundation and the Strategic
Development Council (SDC) of the American Concrete Institute, as well as
several member companies of SDC for their financial support.
REFERENCES
1. Moller, P. C. F.; Mewis, J.; and Bonn, D., “Yield Stress and Thixotropy:
On the Difficulty of Measuring Yield Stress in Practice,” Journal of Material
Chemistry, V. 16, 2006, pp. 274-283.
2. Coussot, P.; Nguyen, Q. D.; Huynh, H. T.; and Bonn, D., “Avalanche
Behavior in Yield Stress Fluids,” Physical Review Letters, V. 88, No. 17,
2002, 4 pp.
3. Coussot, P., and Boyer, S., “Determination of Yield Stress Fluid
Behaviour from Inclined Plane Test,” Rheologica Acta, V. 34, No. 6, 1995,
pp. 534-542.
4. Tattersall, G. H., and Banfill, P. F. G., The Rheology of Fresh
Concrete, Pitman Advanced Publishing Program, Boston, 1983, 356 pp.
5. Khayat, K. H.; Saric-Coric, M.; and Liotta, F., “Influence of Thixotropy
ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010
on Stability Characteristics of Cement Grout and Concrete,” ACI Materials
Journal, V. 99, No. 3, May-June 2002, pp. 234-241.
6. Assaad, J.; Khayat, K. H.; and Mesbah, H., “Variation of Formwork
Pressure with Thixotropy of Self-Consolidating Concrete,” ACI Materials
Journal, V. 100, No. 1, Jan.-Feb. 2003, pp. 29-37.
7. Billberg, P., “Form Pressure Generated by Self-Compacting Concrete—
Influence of Thixotropy and Structural Behaviour at Rest,” doctoral thesis,
Structures, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 2006,
91 pp.
8. Ovarlez, G., and Roussel, N., “A Physical Model for the Prediction of
Lateral Stress Exerted by Self-Compacting Concrete on Formwork,” Materials
9. Roussel, N., and Cussigh, F., “Distinct-Layer Casting of SCC: The
Mechanical Consequences of Thixotropy,” Cement and Concrete Research,
V. 38, 2008, pp. 624-632.
10. Banfill, P. F. G., and Saunders, D. C., “On the Viscometric Examination
pp. 363-370.
11. Douglas, R.; Gregori, A.; Sun Z.; Bonen, D.; and Shah, S. P., “The
Effect of Ingredients and Shear History on the Thixotropic Rate of
Rebuilding of SCC,” Proceedings of the 2nd North American Conference
International RILEM Symposium on Self-Compacting Concrete, S. P. Shah, ed.,
Chicago, IL, 2005, pp. 591-596.
12. Lapasin, R.; Longo, V.; and Rajgelj, S., “Thixotropic Behaviour of
Cement Pastes,” Cement and Concrete Research, V. 9, 1979, pp. 309-318.
13. Assaad, J.; Khayat, K. H.; and Mesbah, H., “Assessment of Thixotropy
of Flowable and Self-Consolidating Concrete,” ACI Materials Journal, V. 100,
No. 2, Mar.-Apr. 2003, pp. 99-107.
14. Assaad, J., and Khayat, K. H., “Influence of Internal Friction and
Cohesion on the Variations of Formwork Pressure of Self-Consolidating
Concrete,” Specal Publication, SP 2002-02, American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI, 2004, pp. 19-32.
15. Assaad, J., “Formwork Pressure of Self-Consolidating Concrete—
Influence of Thixotropy,” doctoral thesis, Department of Civil Engineering,
Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, 2004, 453 pp.
16. Oremus, R. M., “A One Dimensional Model of Dense Snow
Avalanches Using Mass and Momentum Balances,” doctoral thesis,
Faculty of Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, May 2006, 64 pp.
17. Dzuy, N. Q., and Boger, D. V., “Direct Yield Stress Measurement
with the Vane Method,” Journal of Rheology, V. 29, No. 3, 1985, pp. 335-347.
18. Omran, A. F., “Formwork Pressure Exerted by Self-Consolidating
Concrete,” doctoral thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Université de
Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, 2009, 315 pp.
19. Barnes, H. A., A Handbook of Elementary Rheology, Institute of
Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, University of Wales, UK, 2000, pp. 155-156.
APPENDIX—PROTOCOL FOR INCLINED
PLANE TEST METHOD
1. Arrange the inclined planes on a level table. Fix waterproof
sandpapers of grit No. 600 onto the top surface of the incline
plane plate. To position the sample in the center of the plane,
mark the center line and write the distances from one edge of
the plane to the other edge using a permanent color felt
marker. These markings help to evaluate the distance of the
front flow (nose of the flowing material) of the material at
the critical angle of the inclined plane.
2. Spray a small layer of water onto the surface of the
sandpaper. Fill the first cylinder measuring 60 mm (2.36 in.)
in diameter and 120 mm (4.72 in.) in height to the 100 mm
(2.54 in.) mark in the case of mortar, and up to the top in the
case of SCC. The filling time is noted with respect to initial
water addition time, which corresponds to the first contact
between cement and water in the mixture.
3. Slowly lift the cylinder so that the mixture flows
uniformly onto the flat surface of the upper plane. Cover the
mixture with a wide cylindrical container covered by a wet
cloth so as to avoid any evaporation from the mixture during
the rest time.
4. Determine the density of mortar or concrete, as the case
may be.
521
 5. The mixture’s first time of rest on the plane, under
covered conditions, can be approximately 10 minutes after
the first spread. When the time of rest is over, remove the wet
cloth and the covering container, and measure the spread of
the sample. Find the height of the spread by averaging five
measurements near the central area. Slowly lift the first
inclined plane until the flow of the mixture starts.
6. Measure the angle of inclination of the inclined plane
with a protractor that is either fixed to the plane or removable.
Knowing the critical angle (θ) (the angle at which downward
flow commences), the static yield stress (τ0rest) can be
calculated as follows
τ 0rest = ρgh sin θ (A1)
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where ρ is density of the mixture (concrete or mortar), g
is the gravitational acceleration, and h is the thickness or
height of the spread of mortar or concrete at the horizontal
position.
7. Repeat Steps 1 to 6 at other rest periods using other
incline plane setups with virgin, undisturbed samples. The
time duration between subsequent tests can vary between 5 and
15 minutes depending on the degree of structural buildup of
the material. Typically, three τ0rest measurements would be
required to determine the rate of structural buildup of the
mortar or concrete at rest from the slope of the τ0rest versus
rest time data.
8. Clean the sandpaper using a moist towel at the conclusion
of each test.
ACI Materials Journal/September-October 2010