Effect of methylcellulose admixture on the mechanical properties of cement

Methylcellulose addition (0.2-0.8% by weight of cement) to cement paste was found to increase the tensile strength by up to 72%, increase the tensile ductility by up to 620%, decrease the tensile modulus by up to 57%, decrease the compressive strength by up to 30%, decrease the compressive ductility by up to 34%, increase the compressive modulus by up to 17%, and decrease the apparent coefficient of thermal expansion (390 Pa, 30-35 degrees) from 10 x 10(-6) down to -4 x 10(-6) degrees C-1. All effects increased with increasing methylcellulose content.