Effects of micropore structure on hydration degree and mechanical properties of concrete in later curing age

Abstract

The hydration degree and compressive mechanical properties of concrete are evaluated in relation to microstructure composition at three curing ages. The analysis focuses on hydration and compressive load-bearing mechanism at the microstructural level. A concrete micromechanism that allows explicit parameters of pore distribution and pore diameter is investigated. Variations of concrete microstructure are measured and analysed over a range of curing ages. Results show that (1) different curing periods have significant effects on the hydration degrees and microstructure of concrete, (2) variations of hydration degrees are the basic reason of changes of pore structure and (3) type of porosity and pore diameter affects mechanical properties of concrete. Microstructure-behaviour relations are established to determine hydration degree and compressive mechanical properties, and facilitate microlevel studies on concrete properties for target-specific applications.

Keywords:

• concrete microstructure
• curing age
• hydration degree
• compressive mechanical properties

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 50908059], Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China [grant number E201415], and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [grant numbers HEUCFZ1103 and HEUCF130215].