Microstructure of Portland Cement-Based Materials: Computer Simulation and Percolation Theory.
Microstructure of Portland Cement-Based Materials:
Computer Simulation and Percolation Theory.
(799 K)
Garboczi, E. J.; Bentz, D. P.
Computational and Mathematical Models of Microstructural
Evolution. Materials Research Society Symposium
Proceedings. Volume 529. April 13-17, 1998, San
Francisco, CA, Materials Research Society, Pittsburgh,
PA, 89-100 pp, 1998.
Keywords:
portland cement; computer simulation; hydration; water
Abstract:
Portland cement-based materials are usually composites,
where the matrix consists of Portland cement paste.
Cement paste is a material formed from the hydration
reaction of portland cement, usualiy a calcium silicate
material, with water. The micrcstructure of cement paste
changes drastically over a time period of about one
week, with slower changes occurring over subsequent
weeks to months. The effect of this hydration process on
the changing microstructure can be represented using
computer simulation techniques applied to three
dimensional digital image-based models. Percolation
theory can be used to understand the evolving
microstructure in terms of the three percolation
thresholds that are of importance in the cement paste
microstructure: the set point, capillary porosity
percolation, and the percolation of the C-S-H phase.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899