An analytical equation to predict mortar spalling at laboratory scale

Spalling is the main problem concerning safety in concrete structures under rapid heating. Despite being studied for nearly a century, its prediction remains a challenge. In addition, the main recommendations for its prevention are merely the addition of a fixed amount of polypropylene fibres, without accounting for mix design. This paper...

Influence of pore connectivity on the spalling behaviour of mortars

Experimental research into the spalling behaviour of mortars and if it is possible to predict the spalling resistance. Research is divided into spalling experiments with varying parameters and experiments to analyse and characterize the pore structure. By combining both results, a first step is taken into a formula that is able to predict the...

Influence of Micro-Pore Connectivity and Micro-Fractures on Calcium Leaching of Cement Pastes: A Coupled Simulation Approach

A coupled numerical approach is used to evaluate the influence of pore connectivity and microcracks on leaching kinetics in fully saturated cement paste. The unique advantage of the numerical model is the ability to construct and evaluate a material with controlled properties, which is very difficult under experimental conditions. Our analysis...

Pore size dependent connectivity and ionic transport in saturated cementitious materials

Microstructure-property relationship has drawn strong attention in modern material science. The progress achieved in this field relies on a common basis that the material performance originates from the microstructure. This paper brings together new insights and facts from experiments regarding the pore size dependent connectivity and its...

Experimental study on pore connectivity and its influence on chloride transport in saturated cementitious system

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the pore connectivity and its influence on chloride transport property in cementitious materials under saturated condition. Mercury intrusion porosimetry experiment was carried out on a variety of hydrated cement pastes curing up to one year. By repeating pressurization-depressurization cycles, pore...

Particulate structure and microstructure evolution of concrete investigated by DEM: Part 2: Porosimetry in hydrating binders

Durability of concrete in engineering structures is becoming more and more of a major problem. Research into such problems is complicated and expensive, however. Developments in computer technology make it possible nowadays realistically simulating cementitious materials and studying its pore network structure. In this paper use is made of the...

Discrete element modeling approach to porosimetry for durability risk estimation of concrete

The paper introduces a novel approach to porosimetry in virtual concrete, denoted as random node structuring (RNS). The fresh state of this particulate material is produced by the DEM system HADES. Hydration simulation is a hybrid approach making use of wellknown discretization and vector methods. Particle interferences (overlap) in the dynamic...