The mixing of solid materials with water is one of the most important steps in the preparation of mortars. The mixing procedure interferes with both fresh and hardened properties. The ABNT NBR 13276:2005 indicates that the solids should be added to the liquid in the mixer container. This order of introduction of materials is the reverse of what occurs in practice and it may result in the lack of homogeneity of the mix. Previous studies have found that adding the liquid to solid material in steps improves the rheological properties of the systems. Thus, using a laboratory mixer and the same mortar formula, various mixing procedures in which water is added to the solid material in steps were investigated. These procedures were compared with that described by ABNT NBR 13276:2005, and rheological behavior (squeeze-flow and shear cycles) and mechanical properties (splitting tensile strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity) were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of liquid to solid material in different stages resulted in more fluid systems and improved performance in the hardened state
Mixing procedure; Mortar; Rheology
