Effect of natural carbonation on the pore structure and elastic modulus of the alkali-activated fly ash and slag pastes

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of natural carbonation on the pore structure, and elastic modulus (E_m) of alkali-activated fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) pastes after one year of exposure in the natural laboratory conditions. The chemical changes due to carbonation were examined by...

Relationship between the size of the samples and the interpretation of the mercury intrusion results of an artificial sandstone

Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) measurements are widely used to determine pore throat size distribution (PSD) curves of porous materials. The pore throat size of porous materials has been used to estimate their compressive strength and air permeability. However, the effect of sample size on the determined PSD curves is often overlooked....

Pore Structure Characterization of Sodium Hydroxide Activated Slag Using Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry, Nitrogen Adsorption, and Image Analysis

The pore structure of alkali-activated slag has a significant influence on its performance. However, the literature shows insufficient studies regarding the suitability of different techniques for characterizing the pore structure and the influences of Na2O and curing age on pore structure development. In pursuit of a better understanding, the...

Experimental study of chloride diffusivity in unsaturated ordinary Portland cement mortar

Experiments are carried out to investigate the chloride diffusivity in partially saturated ordinary Portland cement mortars with water-to-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6. Based on resistivity measurement and Nernst-Einstein equation, the chloride diffusivities of cement mortars at various water saturations are estimated. The pore...

Porosity of Concrete - Morphological Study of Model Concrete

This study has developed a comprehensive methodological framework for characterizing geometrical and morphological aspects of pore space in cementitious materials and explored its application to actual cement pastes and model concretes for the purpose of predicting mechanical and transport properties of cementitious materials. The evolution of...

Numerical modelling of self-desiccation of hardening cement paste

In this paper a numerical model is presented with which it is possible to predict the non-thermal hydration-induced volume changes that develop during hardening of a cement-based material. The model equilibrates the relative humidity in the pore system with the free surface energy in hardening cement past. From a certain state of equilibrium,...

Simulation of Volume Changes in Hardening Cement-Based Materials

STM image of silicalite 1 pore structure