Estimations applied to cement-based materials at early-age
Scientists recently presented analytical estimations of the fluctuations of elastic stresses within cement-based materials (CBM).
Analytical homogenisation provides information about the average mechanical fields but can also be used to obtain information about the statistical variability or fluctuations of these fields. Mori-Tanaka, self-consistent and generalised self-consistent schemes are combined to represent the multiscale character of CBM. The second moment of mechanical fields is derived from the internal energy. The presence of transformation fields and resulting fluctuations are considered.
Estimations of the compressive strength
The scientists account for the evolution of the volume fractions of phases due to cement hydration. Scenarios considering or not the ITZ are studied. The estimations are dependent on load and representation CBM microstructure. The obtained standard deviation of stresses in C-S-H are on the order of the stresses applied at concrete scale. The scientists provide estimations of the compressive strength of a cement paste at early-age using their results of fluctuation of stresses.
The study is published in: Cement and Concrete Research Volume 110, August 2018, Pages 24-41.
