Electric curing of cement mortar

In this research, the effect of curing with different types of current, current densities/voltage intensity on mortar is studied. The main objective is to explore the outcomes of electric curing on the setting time of CEM-I mortar. For achieving the main objective, an electrical curing setup is designed to accommodate curing with direct current,...

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...

Effect of natural carbonation on chloride binding behaviours in OPC paste investigated by a thermodynamic model

The combined effects of carbonation and chloride attack can accelerate the degradation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. In this study, the effect of natural carbonation on the chloride binding behaviours in Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste was investigated. The phase-equilibrium model for the dissolution/precipitation reactions and...

NaCl interaction during hydration as studied by NMR

With freshwater getting scares seawater, i.e., water containing NaCl, can become the only viable option for making concrete. Although a lot of research had been directed to understanding the role of water in cement hydration, not much is known about the interaction of the Na+ and Cl- with cement paste during drying. A problem is that available...

The effect of stray current on hardening and hardened cement-based materials

Stray current has become a main concern for many years due to its effect on (reinforced) concrete structures and underground infrastructures. It has been reported that stray current affects not only steel reinforcement embedded in concrete, but can also induce degradation of the cement-based matrix. Stray current causes an increase of...

Numerical investigation of crack self-sealing in cement-based composites with superabsorbent polymers

Recently the concept of crack self-sealing has been investigated as a method to prevent degradation and/or loss of functionality of cracked concrete elements. To obtain self-sealing effect in the crack, water swelling admixtures such as superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are added into the cementitious mix. In order to design such self-sealing...

DC current-induced curing and ageing phenomena in cement-based materials

This paper investigates DC current-induced “curing” and ageing phenomena in cement-based materials. Two current densities were used in a DC current regime i.e. mortar cubes were subjected to DC current flow of 1 A/m2 and 100 mA/m2; tap water and calcium hydroxide were external environment. Conditioning (“curing”) was performed for 112 days,...

Modelling the effect of electrical current flow on the hydration process of cement-based materials

Stray current is essentially an electrical current “leakage” from metal conductors and electrical installations. When it flows through cement-based systems, electrical energy is converted to thermal energy that causes increasing temperature due to Joule heating phenomena. The aim of this paper is to shed light on the influence of electrical...

Performance assessment of cement-based materials blended with micronized sand: Microstructure, durability and sustainability

Concrete is one of the most important construction materials in the world. However, Portland cement which is one of the constituents of concrete is responsible for about 5-10% of global CO2 emission. From sustainability point of view, therefore, it is important to search for materials which can be used to reduce or to replace Portland cement in...

Inorganic powder encapsulated in brittle polymer particles for self-healing cement-based materials

Many types of healing agents have been investigated. These agents are processed in different ways, such as adhesive polymer in capsules or hollow fibre glasses, bacteria in porous aggregates and geo-materials directly incorporated in the cementbased materials. In this study, sodium silicate powder is encapsulated in polystyrene particles ...

Inorganic powder encapsulated in brittle polymer particles for self-healing cement-based materials

Many types of healing agents have been investigated. These agents are processed in different ways, such as adhesive polymer in capsules or hollow fibre glasses, bacteria in porous aggregates and geo-materials directly incorporated in the cementbased materials. In this study, sodium silicate powder is encapsulated in polystyrene particles ...

Multiscale Lattice Boltzmann-Finite Element Modelling of Transport Properties in Cement-based Materials

Cement-based materials are the most widely used man-made materials in the world. The durability of cement-based materials has been a major concern due to the premature failure and serviceability issues of many reinforced concrete structures. Durability of cement-based materials is to a large content dependent on their resistance to the ingress...

Multiscale lattice fracture model for cement-based materials

Cracking in cement-based materials is usually not easy to predict, because of the complexity of their microstructures. Concrete is a composite material of mortar and coarse aggregates, and mortar consists of cement paste and sands. The fracture processes in these materials are related, and this paper aims to reveal the relationship by developing...

Ductile Cement-Based Composites with Wood Fibres - material design and experimental approach

In order to turn a brittle cement matrix into a ductile composite different types of man-made fibres such as steel, glass and polyvinyl alcohol are currently used as reinforcement, as well as some natural fibres. Compared to synthetic fibres, natural fibres are more easily available worldwide and they are friendlier to the environment since less...

Simulation of self-healing by further hydration in cement-based materials (abstract)