Lec 6 Flashcards
What is microstructure
The type, amount, size, shape, and distribution of phases present in a solid constitute
What is the limit resolution of the unaided human eye
Approximately 1/5 milimeter (200 niumeter)
What is the use of microstructure
for the microscopically magnified portion of a macrostructure.
The microstructure-property relationship in concrete so far
the microstructure would be helpful before discussing the factors influencing the important engineering properties of concrete, such as strength, elasticity, shrinkage, creep, and cracking, and durability.
Tell 3 examples of microstructures of the hydrated cement paste
- Solids (C-S-H, CH, ettringite)
- Voids (Entrapped air, entrained air, capillary pores)
- Water (Capillary water, adsorbed water, interlayer water)
https://ibb.co/JzzDYNh
https://ibb.co/tckXv1T
- Voids
- Fly ash
In solid, microstructural inhomogeneities can lead to
Serious effects on strength and other related mechanical properties, which controlled by microstructural extremes
https://ibb.co/B2qw2yY
It is a model pf a well-hydrated Portland cement paste
A: aggregation of poorly crystalline C-S-H particle which have at least one colloidal dimension
H: hexagonal such as CH = C4AH19 = C4ASH18
C: capillary cavities
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- Interparticle spacing between C-S-H sheets
- Capillary voids
- Hexagonal crystals of Ca(OH)2 or low sulfate
- Aggregation of CXS-H particles
- Entrained sir bubble
- Max. Spacing of entrained air for durability to frost action
- Entrapped air void
https://ibb.co/LSC2fD1
- Ettringite
2.Monosulfate hydrate
https://ibb.co/Ldk4tzB
- Fresh
- After 1 hr
- After several hours
- After days
- After weeks
- Unhydrated cement
- Hydrates (mostly C-S-H)
- Calcite crystals
https://ibb.co/S5ZksKh
C-S-H
CH
C-(A,F)-H
Monosulfate
Porosity
Ettringite
Solids in the microstructure
C-S-H gel
CH
Calcium sulfoaluminates
Hydrates
Unhydrated clinker grains
Explain C-S-H gel
• The calcium silicate hydrate phase makes up 50 to 60 percent of the volume of solids.
• the most important phase determining the properties of the paste
• C-S-H is not a well-defined compound; the C/S ratio varies between 1.5 and 2.0.
• Continuous matrix; intrinsic porosity; amorphous
• Is an irregular and extremely fine substance. it so-called colloid (gel) is because it is in a colloidal configuration with a specific weight of 2.3-2.6.
• Generally CaO / SiO2 value is 1.5-2.0 or higher, and the appearance is needle-like.
• When chemical changes occur during the hydration reaction, it may be caused by electronic bond, and then form continuous matrix of silicate polymerization.
• The content of C-S-H is large, which is helpful to the strength and durability of the cement paste.
Explain CH (Calcium Hydroxide)
• Constitute 20 to 25 percent of the volume of solids.
• Is a compound with a definite stoichiometry, Ca(OH)2.
• It tends to form large crystals with a distinctive hexagonal-prism morphology.
• The strength-contributing potential is limited as a result of considerably lower surface area
• hexagon column crystal with a specific weight of 2.24
• In the third stage (acceleration) of C3S hydration, CH forms crystalline nucleus in the pore space, and CH can grow into free space. If the space is blocked by another CH crystal, it may stop growing or turn to another direction.
• CH can fill pores to increase strength, but it has limitations on long-term effects. Due to its crystallization and growth pattern, it tends to dissipate shear forces, so that the general failure surface is broken by the edge of CH to form a weak surface.
• CH easily dissolves and precipitates on the surface of the cement paste, forming efflorescence (白華), it generates pores, which will reduce the durability.