Transport in Cracked Cement-Based Materials: A Review

Author(s): Kefei Li
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: 3rd International RILEM Conference on Microstructure Related Durability of Cementitious Composites
Editor(s): Changwen Miao, Wei Sun, Jiaping Liu, Huisu Chen, Guang Ye and Klaas van Breugel
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-188-9
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-189-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2016
Pages: 34-41
Total Pages : 8
Language : English

Abstract: The transport properties are crucial for the penetration rate of external aggressive agents into concrete materials. This paper review the recent research advances in the transport processes and transport properties in cracked cement-based materials. First, the mass transport and exchange processes are discussed in a single crack between rough surfaces, and the surface ion absorption and surface leaching are analyzed. Then the impact of crack groups on the transport properties of concrete is investigated through theoretical and experimental aspects. From theoretical aspect, the impact of crack networks is described both from
micromechanical modelling and percolation theory, and the role of the crack connectivity is high-lightened. From experimental aspect, the geometry of crack networks is studied on the basis of the compressive loading on concrete cylinders and fractured mortar pellets, and the correlation between the transport properties and the geometry characteristics is investigated in depth. These results show that: (1) the mass transport and exchange in cracks is the central knowledge for quantifying the impact of cracks on transport processes; (2) the
micromechanical modelling can account for the impact of crack on permeability from an average point of view, but fails for networks containing percolated crack clusters; (3) near percolation threshold, the permeability assumes a power law with respect to the crack opening and the crack connectivity has an important role.

Online publication : 2016
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00