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Related Concept Videos

Microcracking in Concrete01:20

Microcracking in Concrete

115
Microcracking in concrete refers to the tiny cracks that can form within the material even before any external load is applied. These microcracks typically occur at the interface between the coarse aggregate and the hydrated cement paste, often as a result of differential volume changes prompted by variations in stress-strain behavior, as well as thermal and moisture movement. Initially, these microcracks remain stable and do not grow substantially until the concrete is stressed to about 30...
115
Porosity in Cement Paste01:18

Porosity in Cement Paste

122
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...
122
Mortar Joint Deterioration in Masonry01:13

Mortar Joint Deterioration in Masonry

112
Mortar joint deterioration is a significant concern in masonry structures, with water accumulation in the joints leading to damage from freeze-thaw cycles. The repeated expansion of water during freezing and its melting during thawing develop and propagate cracks in the masonry joints. Eventually, this leads to the spalling of mortar from the joints, loosening masonry units and weakening the structure. The deteriorated mortar joints are also vulnerable to moisture intrusion into the walls.
The...
112
Pore Size Distribution01:23

Pore Size Distribution

114
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...
114
Permeability of Concrete01:25

Permeability of Concrete

135
Permeability in the context of concrete refers to how easily liquids or gases can pass through the material. This quality is crucial for assessing the water-tightness and durability of concrete structures and their resistance to chemical attacks. Concrete permeability can be determined through comparative laboratory tests. These tests typically involve sealing a concrete specimen from the sides, applying water pressure to the top surface with pressure, and measuring the amount of water passing...
135
Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate01:20

Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate

275
Aggregates contain pores of varying sizes; while some are completely enclosed within the particles, others open onto the surface, allowing water to penetrate. The porosity of aggregates is a major factor contributing to the overall porosity of concrete, given that aggregates constitute about three-quarters of concrete's volume.
When all pores in an aggregate are filled with water, the aggregate is considered saturated and surface-dry. If left in dry air, water will evaporate until the...
275

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Determination of Aggregate Surface Morphology at the Interfacial Transition Zone ITZ
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Microcrack and Porosity Development in Sealed Cement Mortars Measured with Micro-Computed Tomography.

Radek Ševčík1, Irena Adámková1, Michal Vopálenský1

  • 1Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre Telč, Prosecká 809/76, 190 00 Prague, Czech Republic.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 13, 2024
PubMed
Summary

High hydration kinetics in cement mortars, particularly fine-grained ordinary Portland cement (OPC), lead to more microcracks. Slower kinetics or alkali-activation processes, like with H-cement, promote durable concrete with fewer cracks.

Keywords:
OPCalkali-activated cementmicro-computed tomographymicrocrackssealed hydration

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Civil Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Microcrack development is a critical factor in concrete durability.
  • Understanding the influence of binder properties on microcracking is essential for advanced material design.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of hydration kinetics on microcrack formation in cementitious materials.
  • To compare microcrack development in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with varying fineness and an alkali-activated binder (H-cement).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) with 2.2 µm resolution to analyze microcrack development.
  • Examined three binder types: fine-grained OPC (391 m²/kg), coarse-grained OPC (273 m²/kg), and H-cement.
  • Monitored microcrack width and occurrence during sealed hydration.

Main Results:

  • Most observed microcracks ranged from 5-10 µm in width.
  • Microcrack occurrence increased with the progression of sealed hydration.
  • Fine-grained OPC showed over twice the number of microcracks compared to H-cement and coarse-grained OPC, which had comparable counts.

Conclusions:

  • Higher hydration kinetics correlate with increased microcrack formation.
  • Rapid microcracking can lead to crack coalescence and eventual concrete disintegration.
  • Achieving durable concrete requires utilizing slow hydration kinetics or alkali-activation strategies to minimize microcracks.