Abstract: The flowability of cement powders is closely related to the storage, transportation, feeding, mixing and other operations. The effect of moisture content on the flowability of cement powders was investigated by the repose angle, inner friction angle, adhesion and unconfined compressive strength. The wall friction angle and adhesion of cement powder with mortar, steel, coating and anticorrosive coiled material were compared. The results show that as the moisture content of cement powder increases, the repose angle, cohesion and unconfined compressive strength increase, and the flowability of cement powder decreases. With the increase of storage time, the flowability of cement powder becomes better with the increase in particle size caused by the hydration of cement. The unconfined compressive strength increases obviously with the increase in consolidation stress, resulting in the poor flowability of cement powder. The adhesion of cement powder on different wall materials increases with the increase of moisture content. The friction force and adhesion between cement powder and wall reduce by covering the inner surface of cement silo with coating or anticorrosive coiled material.

Key words: cement, powder, moisture content, flowability, silo wall, adhesion