Nanostructure and Nanomechanics of Cement: Polydisperse Colloidal Packing

E. Masoero, E. Del Gado, R. J.-M. Pellenq, F.-J. Ulm, and S. Yip

Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 155503 – Published 10 October 2012

Abstract

Cement setting and cohesion are governed by the precipitation and growth of calcium-silicate-hydrate, through a complex evolution of microstructure. A colloidal model to describe nucleation, packing, and rigidity of calcium-silicate-hydrate aggregates is proposed. Polydispersity and particle size dependent cohesion strength combine to produce a spectrum of packing fractions and of corresponding elastic properties that can be tested against nanoindentation experiments. Implications regarding plastic deformations and reconciling current structural characterizations are discussed.

Received 6 December 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.155503

Authors & Affiliations

E. Masoero¹, E. Del Gado², R. J.-M. Pellenq^1,3, F.-J. Ulm¹, and S. Yip⁴

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
²Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
³CINaM, CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, Campus de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
⁴Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Issue

Vol. 109, Iss. 15 — 12 October 2012

Reuse & Permissions

Access Options

Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Physical Review Letters