Characterization of carbonation-induced changes in crack features and geometry in hardened cement pastes

Author(s): Anna Varzina, Quoc Tri Phung, Bart Rogiers, Janez Perko, Diederik Jacques, Norbert Maes, Özlem Cizer
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 2nd International RILEM/COST Conference on Early Age Cracking and Serviceability in Cement-based Materials and Structures Volume 2
Editor(s): Stéphanie Staquet and Dimitrios Aggelis
ISBN:978-2-35158-200-8
e-ISBN:978-2-35158-198-8
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 747-752
Total Pages: 6
Language : English

Abstract: Microcracks have a potentially significant influence on geochemical processes in cement-based materials. Microcrack properties (e.g. length, aperture, roughness) in turn are changed by various reactions, such as carbonation of the material. In this work, experimental crack geometry is analyzed statistically in order to understand how the crack features influence the carbonation process and vice versa. The surface roughness is a key variable because it substantially influences transport properties. In order to obtain different crack characteristics, surfaces with different properties are examined by vertical scanning interferometry. The first results on experimental, statistical and geometrical characterization of cracks are presented and discussed.

Online publication : 2017
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00