Effect of Magnetized Water on the Stability and Consolidation Compressive Strength of Cement Grout

Abstract

In this study, tap water is magnetized by a self-developed device. The conductivity and evaporation of magnetized water (MW) at different temperatures are tested to demonstrate the magnetization mechanism. The results show that the conductivity and evaporation of the magnetized water increase to different degrees compared with regular tap water (RW). The maximum increase in conductivity is 10.6%, and the maximum increase in evaporation is 25.6% and 16.7% at 50 and 80 °C, respectively. Cement grout samples with water-cement ratios (w/c) of 0.5 and 1.0 were prepared with magnetized water. The stability of the cement grout mixed with RW and MW under different magnetic conditions is tested. The compressive strength and SEM images of the hardened cement grout samples mixed with RW and MW (under optimum magnetic conditions) are compared. The cement grout prepared with MW has a higher stability compared to that of the control specimen, and the relative change of bleeding volume of the MW cement grout with w/c = 0.5 and 1 is 67.69% and 24.36%, respectively. MW has a positive effect on the consolidation compressive strength of cement grout. SEM images show that hardened cement grout with MW has more hydrate crystals, more compact filling space between cement particles, more contact points, and fewer voids compared to that of RW. The influence mechanism of MW on the stability of cement grout is analyzed, which provides a theoretical basis for the application of MW in the field of grouting engineering.