Project 3

Title:

Pore structure and state of water of mixes with blended cements

State of the Art : Many researchers believe the dominating effect of pozzolans or slag on enhancing the resistance to sulfate ingress arises from the physical changes induced in the microstructure. Glasser (1991) refers to work showing the porosity of the system, with slag, is gradually transformed from one with pores distributed throughout the matrix, giving rise to permeation via the connectivity of the pores, to one in which the pores are isolated dispersed throughout the densified matrix. The degree of connectivity of the pore system greatly affects the rate of transport of matter.
Objectives and innovation : This project will concentrate on the characterization of the pore structure developed in paste or mortar systems made with cements with and without fly ash and slag used in project 1 and 2. Specimens will be cured at two temperatures (10 & 25oC). The development of the pore system will be followed by various techniques, including NMR to describe the state of water (Surrey). Collaboration with Heidelberg will provide the means to study the application of the characterisation methods in an industrial laboratory.