界面区结构对水泥砂浆强度的影响

在研究具有水硬性表面层和惰性内核复合结构的深加工处理石英集料对砂浆界面区结构的改进效果，比较深加工处理石英砂浆（ＭＴＱＳ）、普通石英砂浆（ＭＱＳ）和硬化水泥浆体（ＨＣＰ）等３种试样强度随养护时间变化的基础上，研究了界面区结构对水泥砂浆强度的影响．结果表明：使用深加工处理石英集料能有效地改进界面区薄弱结构；界面区结构对水泥砂浆的早期强度影响较小，但对后期强度影响较大；改进界面区结构能大幅度提高水泥砂浆的抗压强度和抗折强度．     

石英岩尾砂与水泥浆体微界面的改性

采用电石渣对石英岩尾砂进行煅烧改性,利用X射线衍射仪、背散射扫描电镜和能谱分析等方法对改性石英岩尾砂矿物组成和微观结构进行表征,并研究了改性石英岩尾砂的水化性能。通过背散射扫描电镜和压汞仪分析了掺改性石英岩尾砂水泥浆体的微界面结构与孔结构。结果表明:改性石英岩尾砂具有复合结构,内部是惰性的石英岩尾砂,表层为矿物β-C2S层。改性石英岩尾砂可水化生成C-S-H凝胶,改善了石英岩尾砂与水泥浆体的微界面,降低了水泥浆体的孔隙率。     

The nature of the hydration products in hardened cement pastes

An understanding of the performance of portland cement-based materials requires knowledge at the microstructural level. Developments in the instrumentation of several techniques have led to improved understanding of the composition, morphology, and spatial distribution of the various products of cement hydration. In particular, our understanding of the nature of the nearly amorphous calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) phases – which are the principal binding phases in all portland cement-based systems – has been advanced by developments in solid-state NMR spectroscopy and analytical TEM. This paper presents an overview of the nature of the hydration products formed in hardened portland cement-based systems. It starts with the most straightforward cementitious calcium silicate systems, C₃S and β-C₂S, and then considers ordinary portland cement and blends of portland cement with silica fume, ground granulated iron blast-furnace slag, and finally alkali hydroxide-activated slag cements.     

矿物外加剂对丁苯聚合物/水泥复合胶凝材料凝结硬化过程的影响及机制

为了比较沸石、纳米二氧化硅和稻壳灰这3种矿物外加剂对丁苯聚合物/水泥复合胶凝材料凝结硬化过程作用的差异,分别采用这3种矿物外加剂为调凝材料,并从凝结时间、早期强度、水化进程以及水化产物等角度比较3种矿物外加剂对丁苯聚合物/水泥复合胶凝材料的影响。结果表明,3种矿物外加剂都能促进复合胶凝材料的凝结硬化,大幅缩短凝结时间,提高早期强度。但3种矿物外加剂的调凝效果互不相同,调凝机理也有差异:沸石对AFt的生成有较大的促进作用,它不仅能促进C3A的水化,自身也能与Ca(OH)_2反应生成AFt和CSH凝胶;而纳米二氧化硅和稻壳灰对C3S水化的促进作用较强,自身也会与Ca(OH)_2反应生成CSH凝胶。     

The influence of mixing on the microstructure of the cement paste/aggregate interfacial zone and on the strength of mortar

The influence of mixing on the microstructure of the cement paste/aggregate bond has been investigated. Back-scattered electron microscopy was used in conjunction with quantitative image analysis to examine the microstructure of the interface between limestone aggregate and the cement matrix in a series of mortars. The distribution of porosity and anhydrous material along the paste/aggregate interface was shown to be dependent upon the relative abundance of water at the aggregate surface during mixing. Improvements in the interfacial microstructure were shown to correlate with improvements in strength and fracture properties. The interfacial zones seen in the limestone mortars were compared with a model interfacial system. A new classification system for two types of interfacial regions in mortar is proposed.     

Effect of fly ash on the microstructure of cement mortar

A microstructural study of mortars prepared with a low-alkali, low-C₃A cement and a Class F fly ash, both of Swedish origin, was carried out using the scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray analytical technique. Supplementary phase analyses were made by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis. Normally, CH crystals in the transition zone grow with their c axis parallel (or the (0 0 1) cleavage plane perpendicular) to the aggregate surface. The encapsulation of the fly ash particles by the growing CH reduces the amount of orientated CH at the aggregate-paste interface. The growth mechanism of these crystals is discussed. The reduction of CH, most significant after 28 days of hydration, is mainly due to the reaction of CH with the fly ash glass phase. Initially, the replacement of cement by fly ash weakens the paste-aggregate interfacial zone due to reduction of contact points, and increases the local water-to-cement ratio. This, however, improves significantly when the fly ash has reacted. In order to enhance the reaction of fly ash, extra gypsum was added. The results show that gypsum can accelerate the fly ash reaction, but the products formed, and the beneficial effects of gypsum, are mainly determined by the total amount of gypsum in the paste.     

Properties of hydraulic paste of basic oxygen furnace slag

Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) slags are by-products of the conversion of pig iron to steel. They mainly contain C₂S, C₂F, Fe_1−xO, CaO, Ca(OH)₂ and CaCO₃. According to their chemical composition they are a valuable mineral resource as additions in certain hydraulic binders. This paper presents a hydration study of the BOF slag pastes preserved at different temperatures and in different environments. Pastes are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The compressive strengths of hydrated pastes are given at 7, 28, 90 and 190 days. Results show that – BOF slags containing 40% of C₂S – have attractive mechanical properties. Hydration tests under water showed a pastes swelling due to the hydration of CaO contained in BOF slags. A lime extinction procedure was proposed as alternative to standard PR NF EN 13282-2. This approach is more effective for these materials: the volume expansion of pastes cured in water is avoided and the compressive strengths are thus significantly improved.     

Utilization of jarosite/alunite residue for mortars restoration production

The present study was carried out to produce artificial hydraulic lime mortars for repair and conservation of historic masonry using a jarosite/alunite precipitate, a waste product of a novel Greek hydrometallurgical process developed to treat economically low grade nickel oxides ores. Alternative mortars were prepared by mixing lime powder, quartz sand and the above residue, substituting lime up to 50%. The mortars were prepared and tested according to European Norm EN 1015. They were cured for periods of 28 and 90 days and the compressive and flexural strengths were determined. The best mechanical behavior was observed for the mortar with 50% lime replacement, which also presented a low ratio of compressive to flexural strength (f _c/f _f). X-Ray diffraction, TG-DTA and mercury porosimetry were used to characterize the hydration products at 28 and 90 days. The results showed that the jarosite/alunite residue was dissolved in the high alkaline environment of the mortar, producing CaSO₄ · 2H₂O and AlOOH. During hydration, gypsum and some of the Ca(OH)₂ were consumed, together with aluminum hydroxide in order to produce ettringite, a fact that improved the mechanical behavior of the produced mortars.     

Mixtures of silicon and aluminum oxides to optimize the performance of nanoporous thin films in concrete

This study explored the effect of two combinations of silicon and aluminum oxides, nanosilica–nanoboehmite and nanosilica–gibbsite, on the hydration reaction of cement and the porosity of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The influence of sols on the cement hydration reaction was investigated using isothermal calorimetry while their effect on the porosity of the aggregate–paste interface was validated using scanning electron microscopy. The nanosilica–nanoboehmite mixtures were found to accelerate the hydration reaction to a higher degree than the individual components, nanosilica and nanoboehmite. Further, the effect was also found to be dependent on the stoichiometry of the mixture of nanoparticles. The nanosilica–gibbsite combinations not only accelerated the reaction but also increased the cumulative heat of hydration. In this case, the enhancement is attributed to the seeding effect of the gibbsite particles, being more prominent at the smaller particle sizes. Lastly, when these materials were applied as nanoporous thin films on the aggregates, all sol mixtures not only helped to decrease the overall porosity but also contributed to refinement of the porosity in the cement paste adjacent to the aggregate. These effects were observed up to 250 μm away from the surface of the aggregate thus not restricted to the typical length of the interfacial transition zone in concrete (40–50 μm).     

石膏对石灰石粉水泥基材料水化及硬化性能的影响

针对我国目前非荷载作用下混凝土严重开裂的问题,以"比表面积较低的水泥熟料-比表面积较高的掺合料-足够掺量的石膏"构成的胶凝材料体系为研究对象,通过水化热速率、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、压汞法(MIP)及热重-差示扫描量热法(TG-DSC)等手段,研究石膏对石灰石粉水泥基材料水化及硬化体微结构的影响。结果表明,石灰石粉能够加速C3A与石膏作用生成钙矾石相,在足量石膏存在的条件下,能够阻碍钙矾石向低硫型硫铝酸钙转变;石灰石粉的掺入与石膏一起延缓了C3A的水化;在石灰石粉和足够石膏同时存在的情况下,C3A水化生成具有膨胀性的水化碳铝酸钙和高硫型硫铝酸钙,补偿了收缩,提高了水泥基材料的抗裂性能;熟料粗磨、掺合料细磨及较高石膏掺量的胶凝材料体系配制的C30和C50等级混凝土,强度能持续增大,从28d到180d,强度分别提高了36.7%和33.3%,混凝土结构紧密、孔隙率低、有害孔含量少。     

Blended cements containing high volume of natural zeolites: Properties, hydration and paste microstructure

In this study, properties and hydration characteristics as well as paste microstructure of blended cements containing 55% by weight zeolitic tuff composed mainly of clinoptilolite mineral were investigated. Free Ca(OH)₂ content, crystalline hydration products and decomposition of zeolite crystal structure, pore size distribution and microstructural architecture of hydrated cement pastes were examined. Superplasticizer requirement and compressive strength development of blended cement mortars were also determined. The blended cements containing high volume of natural zeolites were characterized with the following properties; (i) no free Ca(OH)₂ in hardened pastes at the end of 28 days of hydration, (ii) less proportion of the pores larger than 50 nm when compared to portland cement paste, (iii) complete decomposition of crystal structure of zeolite at the end of 28 days of hydration, (iv) presence of tetra calcium aluminate hydrate as a crystalline product of pozzolanic reaction, (v) more compatibility with the melamine-based superplasticizer when compared to the naphthalene based product, and (vi) similar 28 days compressive strength of mortars to that of reference portland cement.     

Sulfate resistance and carbonation of plain and blended cements

Results of an experimental investigation on the sulfate resistance and carbonation of plain and blended cement mortars are reported in this paper. In the sulfate resistance test all the specimens were immersed in a 5% Na₂SO₄ solution for 24 months. Two different types of lignite fly ashes and two natural pozzolans were used for the production of 13 blended cements. An ordinary portland cement and a commercially available blended cement were also used for reference. The effect of mineral admixtures on the carbonation depth of mortars was also investigated. Results show that the addition of pozzolanic admixtures in most cases had a positive effect on the sulfate resistance. The carbonation depth in all blended mortars was greater than that in portland cement mortar. However the rate of carbonation of blended mortars was reduced as hydration progressed.     

Investigation on the effects of polymer impregnated aggregate on polymer mortars properties

The sustainable management of solid wastes stimulates metallurgic and metal mechanics industries to look for safety applications for such wastes. The present paper examines the mechanical properties, compressive and flexural strength, of polymer mortars (PM) made with spent foundry waste, i.e., polymer impregnated foundry sand as aggregate, and presents a comparison with specimens made with fresh sand. The foundry sand is contaminated with alkaline-phenolic resin from the mould making process. PM consists of mineral filler and a polymer binder, which is normally a thermosetting resin. Polyester recycled from PET and epoxy resins are used as binders. It is found that the recycled sand does influence the mechanical properties, i.e., the polymer mortars made with recycled sand presents a decrease in mechanical characteristics of polymer mortars. Environmental acceptance of foundry sands requires reliable knowledge of sand composition and sand residue composition variations, especially regarding their environmental characteristics.     

Mineralogical characterization of rendering mortars from decorative details of a baroque building in Kożuchów (SW Poland)

Optical microscopic observations, scanning electron microscopy and microprobe with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis allowed detailed characterization of rendering mortars from decorative details (figures of Saints) of a baroque building in Ko?uchów (Lubuskie Voivodship, Western Poland). Two separate coats of rendering mortars have been distinguished, differing in composition of their filler. The under coat mortar has filler composed of coarse-grained siliceous sand, whereas the finishing one has much finer grained filler, dominated by a mixture of charcoal and Fe-smelting slag, with minor amounts of quartz grains. Both mortars have air-hardening binder composed of gypsum and micritic calcite, exhibiting microcrystalline structure.     

The hydration of slag,part 1: reaction models for alkali-activated slag

Reaction models are proposed to quantify the hydration products and to determine the composition of C–S–H from alkali-activated slags (AAS). Products of the slag hydration are first summarized from observations in literature. The main hydration products include C–S–H, hydrotalcite, hydrogarnet, AFm phases (C₄AH₁₃ and C₂ASH₈) and ettringite. Then, three stoichiometric reaction models are established correlating the mineral composition of slag (the glass part) with the hydration products. Using the proposed models, quantities of hydration products and composition of C–S–H are determined. The models are validated with a number of experimental investigations reported in literature, yielding good agreement, i.e., these models can successfully predict the hydration reaction of AAS. The models are furthermore applied to calculate the retained water in the hydration products of AAS in different hydration states and a general hydration equation of AAS is derived. As an illustration to one of the model applications, chemical shrinkage of the AAS cement paste in different hydration states are predicted. The chemical shrinkage of AAS is shown to be remarkably higher than OPC. Furthermore, phase distribution in the hardened AAS paste and the porosity are calculated.     

Effect of silica fume, steel fiber and ITZ on the strength and fracture behavior of mortar

Two sets of parameters known to affect the quality and thickness of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), i.e. water/binder ratio and content of silica fume were varied in a series of mortars without and with steel fiber. Compressive and three-point bending tests were performed and the dissipated energies were calculated. Nanoindentation characteristics of the steel fiber–matrix and fiber–matrix-aggregate interfacial zones in the steel fiber reinforced mortars were studied. Influence of water/binder ratio, steel fiber, silica fume and ITZ on the strength and toughness of the mortar was analyzed, respectively. It is found that mortar compressive strength can be increased with low volume addition of steel fiber if the air content is well controlled; the interfacial characteristic and microstructural morphology near the fiber surface play a critical role on the three-point bending strength and the toughness of the steel fiber reinforced mortar.     

Modeling the influence of the interfacial zone on the DC electrical conductivity of mortar

The interfacial zone separating cement paste and aggregate in mortar and concrete is believed to influence many of the properties of these composites. The available experimental evidence, obtained on artificial geometries, indicates that the DC electrical conductivity of the interfacial zone, because of its higher porosity, may be considerably larger than that of the bulk cement paste matrix. This paper presents the theoretical framework for quantitatively understanding the influence of the interfacial zone on the overall electrical conductivity of mortar, based on realistic random aggregate geometries. This understanding is also used, via an electrical analogy with Darcy's law, to make predictions about the effect of the interfacial zone on fluid permeability. The results obtained for mortar should also pertain to concrete.     

The influence of an Austrian fly ash on the reaction processes in the clinker phases of Portland cements

The aim of the paper is to establish the influence of fly ash on the hydration process of the cement and fly ash mixtures. Particular attention was paid to the influence on the main clinker phases, C₃S, C₂S and C₃A being investigated by X-ray methods at various points during the reaction period. The reaction partners used were two normal Austrian Portland cements plus an Austrian brown-coal ash. In addition to the pure cements, a mixture with 30% fly ash and 70% of the respective cements was also investigated. For purposes of comparison, it was also necessary to analyse in each case a cement mixture with an inert substance in the same ratio.     

β-Belite cements (β-dicalcium silicate) obtained from calcined lime sludge and silica fume

The utilization of lime sludge (LS), a pulp and paper industry residue, and silica fume (SF), a ferrosilicon industry by-product, as raw materials for the preparation of β-dicalcium silicate (β-C₂S or β-belite) is investigated. β-phase belite is synthesized in a molar ratio of calcined LS/SF at 2.0 by hydrothermal method followed by calcination at 1000 °C for 2 h, which is lower temperature than conventional production temperature of about 1200 °C, and importantly without any chemical stabilizers. The produced belite cements containing 89.3% of β-belite, the rest being α-belite (5.93%), tobermorite (C–S–H, 1.71%), cristobolite (SiO₂, 1.83%) and free lime (CaO, 1.24%). The micro analytical characteristic of the raw materials and formed belite are examined by means of TG-DTA-DTG, XRF, XRD, SEM with EDAX, FT-IR, BET techniques and isothermal conduction calorimetry. The hydration of pastes and compressive strength of mortars of the formed β-belite blended with ordinary Portland cement are studied with a partial replacement of cement by 10%, 20% and 30%. The reaction of β-belite in combination with Portland cement is comparable up to 10% replacement of cement to the pozzolanic reactions of other materials used in similar ways. However, it is observed that the premature stiffening of belite incorporated cement pastes takes place with low heat of hydration because of higher reactivity of belite cement incorporation.     

The interfacial zone and bond strength between aggregates and cement pastes incorporating high volumes of fly ash

The weak transition zone between aggregate and cement paste controls many important properties of concrete. A number of studies dealing with interfacial zone are available in the literature for normal concrete and concrete containing silica fume. High-volume fly ash concrete for structural applications was developed at CANMET in the 1980s, but to date there has been no information available for interfacial zone in high-volume fly ash concrete.In this paper, the orientation index and mean size of Ca(OH)₂ crystals in the aggregate-paste interfacial zone were determined by the X-ray diffractometer. The bond strength between the aggregate and paste was also investigated. It was found that, at the age of 28 days, there was no obvious transition zone between the aggregate and cement paste incorporating high volumes of fly ash. The higher the paste strength, the higher is the bond strength.