![Sample our Built Environment journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5926/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Built-Environment.jpg"})
Abstract
Power ultrasound (PUS) was first used to assist the mixing of cement paste. Five ultrasonic power levels (0 W, 240 W, 480 W, 720 W, and 912 W) were adopted. The compressive strength was tested. The hydration process and products of the cement paste were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES), isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), backscattered electron–energy dispersive spectroscopy (BSE–EDS), and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The results indicated that the compressive strength was improved by using the PUS-assisted mixing. Moreover, PUS-assisted mixing significantly promoted the formation of calcium hydroxide (CH) and ettringite. The crystallization and densification process of the C-S-H phase was accelerated. The macroscopic voids and large capillary pores were substantially reduced. Therefore, PUS-assisted mixing is a promising technology for improving hydration behaviors and strength of cement paste, which could be used in fabricated production.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank the reviewers and editors for their hard work, professional comments and suggestions.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.