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Related Concept Videos

Strength of Cement01:20

Strength of Cement

259
Strength tests for cement are not performed directly on neat cement paste due to difficulty in obtaining consistent, reliable specimens. Instead, cement is typically tested in the form of cement-sand mortar.
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
259
Porosity in Cement Paste01:18

Porosity in Cement Paste

282
The porosity of concrete is a measure of the void spaces within its structure. These spaces impact its strength and durability significantly. When water and cement interact, a chemical reaction called hydration creates a semi-solid paste. This paste includes combined water, making up approximately 23% of the cement's dry mass, and gel water, which fills minuscule voids known as gel pores, accounting for about 28% of the cement gel volume.
The balance of water to cement in the mix is...
282
Cohesion01:07

Cohesion

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Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type, such as water molecules. Water molecules have an overall neutral charge but are polar molecule. An oxygen atom in one water molecule has a partial negative charge that can bind to a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge in a second water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond. Each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesive nature.
On a...
56.5K
Fineness of Cement01:15

Fineness of Cement

283
The fineness of cement directly influences the rate of hydration, as the hydration begins at the surface of the cement particles. In addition to hydration, the fineness of cement is vital for various properties of concrete including workability, gypsum requirement, and long-term behavior. The fineness of cement is represented in terms of the specific surface of cement which is typically measured in square meters per kilogram, with several methods available for this determination.
Direct...
283
Bonding and Strength of Aggregate01:12

Bonding and Strength of Aggregate

280
The bond between aggregate particles and the cement matrix is significantly influenced by the shape and surface texture of the aggregates. High-strength concretes benefit from a rougher texture, which leads to stronger bonding due to greater adhesion. Angular aggregates with larger surface areas also enhance this bond. The bonding quality, however, is complex to assess as no universally accepted test exists. Good bonding is indicated when a crushed concrete specimen shows some aggregate...
280
Pore Size Distribution01:23

Pore Size Distribution

245
In concrete, the pore size distribution significantly influences the material's properties. Capillary pores, markedly larger than gel pores, form a vast network within partially hydrated cement paste, reducing the concrete's strength and increasing its permeability. This heightened permeability leads to a greater risk of damage from environmental factors like freeze-thaw cycles and chemical attacks, with the extent of vulnerability also being tied to the water-to-cement ratio.
Adequate...
245

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Expression of Cementitious Pore Solution and the Analysis of Its Chemical Composition and Resistivity Using X-ray Fluorescence
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Expression of Cementitious Pore Solution and the Analysis of Its Chemical Composition and Resistivity Using X-ray Fluorescence

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The physics of cement cohesion.

Abhay Goyal1, Ivan Palaia2,3, Katerina Ioannidou4,5,6

  • 1Department of Physics, Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA. ag1473@georgetown.edu ed610@georgetown.edu.

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Researchers reveal how cement gains strength through ion and water organization in nanoslits. This discovery enhances understanding of cement hydration and cohesion, crucial for developing sustainable construction materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering

Background:

  • Cement is the world's most produced material and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Its primary function as a binder in concrete relies on cohesive strength developed during setting.
  • Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of cement cohesion is critical for advancing cement science and technology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the nanoscale mechanisms responsible for the emergence of cohesion in cement.
  • To develop a quantitative model for predicting cement cohesion based on fundamental physical principles.

Main Methods:

  • Computational statistical mechanics and theoretical physics were employed.
  • Analysis focused on the organization of ions and water confined in nanoslits between charged calcium-silicate-hydrate surfaces.

Main Results:

  • Cement cohesion arises from the interlocking of ions and water within nanoslits.
  • This confinement significantly reduces dielectric screening, leading to stronger-than-expected ionic correlations.
  • A quantitative analytical prediction of cement cohesion based on Coulombic forces was developed.

Conclusions:

  • The study reconciles fundamental understanding of cement hydration with atomistic descriptions.
  • The findings provide new pathways for the scientific design of advanced construction materials.
  • This research is pivotal for developing more sustainable cement and concrete technologies.