Influences of mineral composition of cement on the mechanical properties of cement paste

Author(s): Zhiwei Qian, Guang Ye, E. Schlangen and K. van Breugel
Paper category: conference
Book title: Microstructural-related Durability of Cementitious Composites
Editor(s): Guang Ye, K. van Breugel, Wei Sun and Changwen Miao
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-129-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-123-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2012
Pages: 220 - 227
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: The hydration processes and products are dependent on the mineral composition of cement, which determine the microstructure of cement paste and eventually its mechanical properties. Hence the mechanical performance of cement paste can be altered by changing the cement mineral composition. The ordinary Portland cement usually consists of C3S, C2S, C3A and C4AF.
In this article four special combinations of constitutes are made to study the effect of C3S and C2S on the mechanical properties of cement paste, which include 100%C3S, 70%C3S+30%C2S, 30%C3S+70%C2S and 100%C2S.
The microstructure of cement paste is simulated by the HYMOSTRUC3D model, and then it is evaluated by the 3D lattice fracture model for its global mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, tensile strength and fracture energy, as well as the microcracks propagation
and patterns.
The findings in this investigation reveal the relationship between the global mechanical performance of cement paste and the mineral composition of cement. The simulation results suggest that the mineral composition of the ordinary Portland cement is already optimized, as the corresponding cement paste shows the best mechanical performance.

Online publication: 2012-05-16
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00