The paper proposes a combined application of composite theory and Powers’ model for microstructural development for the estimation of the diffusion coefficient as a function of the moisture content of a defect-free cementitious material. Measurements of chloride diffusion in mortar samples (440 kg/m rapid-hardening Portland cement, w/c = 0.5, maturity minimum 6 months) stored at 65% and 85% RH,...

Xiangming Zhou, Zongjin Li, Mizi Fan, and Huapeng Chen 1 School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom UB8 3PH Tel: +44 1895 266 670, Fax: +44 1895 269 782, Email: [email protected]. 2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2358 8751, Fa...

This work presents an experimental study realized at the materials laboratory of the University of M’sila. It consists to vary the percentage of the pozzolanic admixture (waste bricks) in cement by the substitution method (partial replacement of the clinker by the calcined clay). The characteristics of cement at anhydrous state and the hydrated state (chemical composition, specific weight and f...

This paper deals with the study of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) and geopolymeric (GEO) binders as alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) for the production of more environmentally-friendly construction materials. For this reason, three types of mortar with the same mechanical strength class (R3 ≥ 25 MPa, according to EN 1504-3) were tested and compared; they were based on CSA cement, an...

The aim of the present study is to investigate the stability of crack propagation in cementitious materials. Tests were conducted on bend specimens in three-point and four-point loading conditions.Three-point bend specimens showed stable crack growth for mortar, normal strength and high strength concrete specimens. Alternatively, four-point bend specimens showed catastrophic failure for mortar ...

The quality and degradation state of building materials can be determined by nondestructive testing (NDT). These materials are composed of a cementitious matrix and particles or fragments of aggregates. Sand/cement ratio (s/c) provides the final material quality; however, the sand content can mask the matrix properties in a nondestructive measurement. Therefore, s/c ratio estimation is needed i...

11 Abstract 12 13 Coating building materials with anti-graffiti treatments hinders or prevents spray paint 14 adherence by generating low energy surfaces. This paper describes the effect of coating 15 cement paste, lime mortar, granite, limestone and brick with two anti-graffiti agents (a 16 water-base fluoroalkylsiloxane, “Protectosil Antigraffiti®”, and a Zr ormosil) on the 17 dispersive comp...

As one of the major materials used in construction, cement can be very resource-consuming and polluting to produce and use. Compared with traditional cement processing methods, dry-mix mortar is more environmentally friendly by reducing waste production or carbon emissions. Despite the continuous development and promotion of green construction materials, only a few of them are accepted or widel...