Numerical simulation of the hydration process and the development of microstructure of self-compacting cernent paste containing limestone as filler

摘要

This paper presents a numerical model for the simulation of the hydration process and the development of the microstructure on Self compacting cernent paste (SCC) containing limestone powder as filler. Based on a series of experimental results, e.g. thermometric isothermal conduction calorimetry tests, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) image analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG) measurements, the hydration process, the solid phase distribution, total porosity and pore size distribution have been determined at different hydration stages.rnBased on the hydration chemistry, the stoichiometry rnand the hydration kinetics of cement with limestone, an analytical hydration model and a microstructural model of self-compactingrncernent paste are proposed. Two SCC mixtures with w/c 0.41 and w/c 0.48, both with water/ powder ratio (w/p) 0.27, were simulated and compared to a traditional cernent paste (TC) with w/c 0.48. The simulation results were dis cussed and validated against experimental measurements.