Assessment of the elastic moduli of cement paste and mortar phases in concrete from pulse velocity tests

This paper describes a method for estimating the elastic moduli of the cement paste, mortar and ‘coarse aggregate-paste mixture’ phases in concrete. It is concluded that the elastic moduli of these phases can be predicted without recourse to tests on neat mortar and cement paste mixes. The elastic modulus of a mortar phase in concrete can be significantly different from that of a ‘neat mortar’ having the same mix proportions. Factors such as age, mix proportions and aggregate types, influence the elastic moduli of the different phases.