Analytical Equations and Numerical Simulation Describing the Pore and Solid Phase Distributions of Interfacial Transition Zones in Cement-Based Materials
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 3
Abstract
By combining the nearest surface distribution function and hydration kinetic equation, analytical equations are proposed to determine the pore phase and solid phase evolution in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). In addition, the numerical models for concrete with a single flat aggregate are constructed based on the CEMHYD3D hydration model. The results show that the degree of hydration is the main factor affecting the ratio of the average porosity to the matrix porosity in the ITZ. With an increase in the aggregate volume fraction and interface thickness, the volume fraction of the ITZ first increases and then decreases. The degree of overlap increases linearly with the interface thickness and the aggregate volume fraction. As the distance from the aggregate surface increases, high-density C-S-H increases, while low-density C-S-H and calcium hydroxide phases decrease. Finally, the predicted results using the analytical equations and numerical simulation are verified by testing via back-scattered electron microscopy, which indicates that the experimental results are more consistent with the predicted results of the analytical model than with those of the numerical model.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from National Key Research and Development Program of China (2019YFC1904900), National Natural Science Foundation of China (51778613). Meanwhile, the technical help of Mr Cheng Liu from University College London, UK, is also acknowledged.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33 • Issue 3 • March 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 6, 2020
Accepted: Jun 15, 2020
Published online: Jan 7, 2021
Published in print: Mar 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jun 7, 2021
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