Nanomechanical characterization of cement-based pastes enriched with SiO2 nanoparticles

Microstructural and nanomechanical surface properties of cement based pastes were experimentally investigated. Samples were prepared from CEMI42.5 cement, with water to cement ratio equal to 0.5 and enriched with SiO₂ nanoparticles (d = 14 nm), with low concentration ranging from 0% up to 0.5% (by weight of binder). X-rays diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed a linear increase of crystal size of calcium hydrate (CH) products with the addition of nanoparticles, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a denser microstructure with more defined grains for the higher SiO₂ nanoparticles concentration. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of samples after the grinding/polishing process indicated a strong dependence of surface roughness with the CH crystallite mean size and the materials mechanical properties. Finally, statistical analysis of nanoindentation mapping data revealed a decrease of elastic modulus with the increase of nanoparticles concentration.     

超早期混凝土爆破安全振动速度的讨论

在已有的超早期混凝土爆破震动作用下的安全振速试验的基础上,根据混凝土的微观结构、混凝土的水泥水化过程及强度发展规律,分析了超早期混凝土的安全质点振动速度。结果表明:超早期混凝土受到轻微的振动损伤时产生的微裂隙由于水泥水化的继续进行能够愈合,超早期混凝土的安全振动速度在3.0cm/s以上,具有一定的抗爆破震动能力。     

Impact of Cement Hydration on Durability of Cellulosic Fiber‐Reinforced Cementitious Composites in the Presence of Metakaolin

Degradation of cellulosic fiber in the alkaline environment of concrete generated in the process of cement hydration is the primary reason for the low durability of such composites. However, the impact of cement hydration on cellulosic fiber's degradation in cementitious systems has not been thoroughly understood. This paper presents the dependence of deterioration behavior of cellulosic fiber‐cement systems on cement hydration in the presence of metakaolin. Experimental investigations, such as isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and thermodynamic simulations are carried out to investigate cement hydration kinetics and hydration products. Durability of cellulosic fiber‐reinforced cement composite is assessed based on the degradation in flexural properties. The results indicate that, in the presence of metakaolin, the hydration of cement is enhanced accompanied by consumption of calcium hydroxide, low release of hydration heat, decreased Ca/Al and Ca/Si ratios of C–S–H phase, and reduced OH^‐ and Ca²⁺ amounts in pore solution. A cement substitution by 30 wt% metakaolin results in an improvement of flexural toughness and durability of cellulosic fiber‐reinforced cement composites by 42 and 269%, respectively. The correlations between composite durability and hydration of Portland cement are established.

     

超早期混凝土爆破安全振动速度的讨论

在已有的超早期混凝土爆破震动作用下的安全振速试验的基础上,根据混凝土的微观结构、混凝土的水泥水化过程及强度发展规律,分析了超早期混凝土的安全质点振动速度。结果表明:超早期混凝土受到轻微的振动损伤时产生的微裂隙由于水泥水化的继续进行能够愈合,超早期混凝土的安全振动速度在3.0cm/s以上,具有一定的抗爆破震动能力。     

Possible pitfall in sample preparation for SEM analysis - A discussion of the paper “Fabrication of polycarboxylate/graphene oxide nanosheet composites by copolymerization for reinforcing and toughening cement composites” by Lv et al.

This paper presents a discussion of the paper published by Lv et al. in Cement and Concrete Composites, 2016, 66: 1–9. The discussion is mainly focused on whether or not graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets can regulate formation of flower-like cement hydration crystals. Lv et al. in their paper proposed a regulation mechanism stating that GO nanosheets can control ettringite (AFt), monosulfate (AFm) and calcium hydroxide (CH) to form the flower-like and polyhedron crystals, whilst our experimental results show that there might be a possible pitfall in sample preparation for SEM analysis. It is here suggested that the main chemical components of flower-like and polyhedron crystals are calcium carbonates, which are not the products from cement hydration but from carbonation of cementitious hydrates. It is therefore suggested that further study is needed to verify the regulation mechanism of GO on cement hydration crystals proposed by Lv et al. in the discussed paper.     

Whether do nano-particles act as nucleation sites for C-S-H gel growth during cement hydration?

In this study, three modelling experiments were designed to investigate whether nano-particles incorporated in the cement paste act as nucleation sites for CSH gel growth during cement hydration. The nano-particles with (nano-SiO₂) and without (nano-TiO₂) pozzolanic reactivity were used. In the first experiment, both the cement and nano-particles were dispersed in water to prepare dilute cement paste, in which the cement and nano-particles can contact each other. In the second one, the cement particles were laid inside a filter paper funnel and immersed in tap and ultrapure water with nano-particles dispersed, in order to separate the cement particles with nano-particles by using the filter paper. In the third one, large clinker particle was embedded in resin, surface-polished and then exposed upside down in ultrapure water with and without nano-particles dispersed. After hydration for 7 days, the hydration products in the paste or the nano-particle dispersion were observed by using TEM and the hydrated surface of the embedded clinkers were detected by using SEM. Based on the experimental results and the detailed discussions by using the classic nucleation theory, it was found that there may have no nucleus function of the nano-particles for the CSH gel precipitation during cement hydration, at least in the hydrating system with nano-silica and nano-TiO₂ addition. It was proposed to more reasonably explain the observations in the three modelling experiments by using the topochemical reaction instead of the through-solution mechanism for the CSH gel formation.     

Cement hydration: building bridges and dams at the microstructure level

The concurrent goals of cement hydration are to percolate (bridge) the original cement particles into a load-bearing network and to depercolate (dam) the original water-filled capillary porosity. The initial volume, particle size distribution, and flocculation/dispersion state of the cement particles have a large influence on both hydration rates and microstructure development. Likewise, the capillary porosity as characterized by its pore size distribution, percolation state, and saturation state also influences both hydration kinetics and microstructure. In this paper, experimental techniques and computer modeling are applied to further understanding several of the critical connections between these physical parameters and performance properties. First, the setting or bridging process is explored via a combination of needle penetration and rheological measurements, in concert with three-dimensional microstructural modeling. Second, low temperature calorimetry is shown to be a valuable indicator of the percolation state or damming of the water-filled pores with various size entryways in the three-dimensional microstructure. Porosity percolation (or depercolation) is shown to be strongly influenced by both curing conditions and the alkali content of the cement pastes. Finally, it is proposed that future efforts in this field be directed towards a greater understanding of the (nano)structures of cement hydration products, particularly the calcium silicate hydrate gel, and their influence on performance properties.     

Investigating entrained air voids and Portland cement hydration with low-temperature scanning electron microscopy

This paper describes the application of low temperature scanning electron microscopy to the materials science of Portland cement. The details of low-temperature scanning electron microscopy are described, along with a number of specimen preparation techniques. There are three main research topics presented in this paper: (1) ice morphology in entrained air voids, (2) development of air voids during early hydration and (3) progression of hydration in Portland cement. The first research focus examines ice in air voids at freezing temperatures, and various cement paste ages. The second research focus tracks the development of the air voids during the first hour of hydration. In the third research focus, the progression of hydration with and without accelerating and retarding admixtures is described. Each of these research programs demonstrates how low-temperature scanning electron microscopy can be an effective tool in Portland cement research.     

Application of thermally activated municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash fines as binder substitute

Untreated municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash fines (0–2 mm) have poor pozzolanic properties, and contain substances which can pose an environmental risk (e.g. heavy metals and salts). This study investigates combined treatments applied on bottom ash fines (BAF) to increase their reactivity. The treated BAF is compared with both untreated BAF and cement, and its contribution to cement hydration is investigated. Additionally, the utilization of the treated BAF in mortar as cement replacement is tested. Finally, the leaching properties of mortars containing treated and untreated BAF are estimated. According to the results obtained, the 28-day compressive and flexural strengths of mortar with 30% treated bottom ash are about 16% and 6% lower than the reference mortar, respectively. The leaching of contaminants from the crushed mortars with BAF are well under the limit values imposed by Dutch legislation.     

水泥水化过程计算机模拟研究——CEMHYD3D系统分析与模拟实现

分析了水泥水化过程计算机模拟这一领域最有代表性的模拟系统--CEMHYD3D的建模过程,以CCRL Cement 133水泥为例,对不同水灰比条件下的水泥水化过程进行了实际模拟计算,对水化热、水化程度、水化过程中主要反应物和产物的变化情况进行了预测.研究表明,CEMHYD3D的模拟结果与实验所揭示的规律一致性较好,尤其是该软件在物相成分变化规律方面的预测对于水化机理的研究很有意义.     

Exchange and observation systems for charge stripper foils at the J-PARC 3GeV-RCS

The Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) has been under construction in Tokai-mura, Ibaraki, Japan. Three independent charge stripper devices are set up at the injection line of the 3 GeV Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS). The H⁻ beam accelerated by a 181 MeV Linac is charge-exchanged to a H⁺ beam by the first stripper foil, and then injected into the RCS. The H⁰ and H⁻ fractions of the beam, which are not stripped by the first stripper foil, are converted into a H⁺ beam by the second and the third stripper foils.We have designed the charge exchange devices by adopting the transfer-rod system for moving the foils in a vacuum. We have fabricated a new type of transfer-rod, which can move over a distance of 1500 mm.We have also developed a new telescope system to observe possible wrinkles and pinholes of the foil. The system withstands more than 1 MGy of radiation dose and has a resolution of 250 μm at a distance of 10 m from an object.     

Liquid helium cryostat for target cooling

A liquid helium cryostat for target cooling down to temperature 1.3 K has been developed. The essential technical details and experimental results are presented. A moving target holder is proposed.     

基于中心粒子水化模型的水泥水化动力学研究

在K.B.Park提出的中心粒子水化模型的基础上,考虑内、外部水化产物的具体特征以及自由水与水化产物接触相界面积的减小导致水泥水化速率减小这2个因素,建立硅酸盐水泥的微观水化模型,并用于预测水化速率随水化程度的变化关系。结果表明,在水泥的整个水化过程中,修正的微观水化模型都能够更真实地反应水泥水化速率与水化程度变化的关系。