Dependencies between Cracking Patterns and the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Microsilica Modified Cement Matrix

摘要

The article presents and evaluates the dependencies that occur between the parameters describing the geometry of cracking patterns on the sample's surface and the selected physico-mechanical properties of cement pastes with the addition of microsilica.The stereological parameters obtained with the use of image analysis were applied to the quantitative description of cracking patterns;also the compressive and tensile strength as well as the apparent density were examined.Cracks analyzed in the surface were caused by loading the samples with an elevated temperature.The relationships were calculated using the least squares method,and the quality of the fit of the model curves to the experimental data was evaluated on the basis of the diagnostic statistics.The results obtained indicated the existence of very strong relations between the geometry of cracking patterns and selected material features of the cement matrix.The analysis carried out is also of a great practical importance as it can help in assessing the degree of degradation of a cement structure exposed to elevated temperatures.