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The influence of the chemical composition of hydrogels on their behavior in cementitious materials

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Abstract

This study examines how the chemical composition of hydrogels influences the behavior of hydrogels in cementitious materials. A stark contrast in the behavior of some hydrogels in extracted cement pore solution, where cement particles are excluded, and in cement mixture was observed. The observed contrast was attributed to the chemical processes between the hydrogel and cement particles, which are excluded in the extracted pore solution. This finding raises concerns regarding the accuracy of hydrogel absorption measurements using only the extracted pore solution to determine the absorption of hydrogels in cement paste. The effect of hydrogels with different chemical compositions on the hydration, electrical resistivity, autogenous shrinkage, and strength of cement paste was evaluated and discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation under the CAREER Award Number 1846984 and the MRI Award Number 1920127.

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  1. Khashayar Farzanian

    Present address: Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

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  1. Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA

    Khashayar Farzanian, Babak Vafaei & Ali Ghahremaninezhad

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Farzanian, K., Vafaei, B. & Ghahremaninezhad, A. The influence of the chemical composition of hydrogels on their behavior in cementitious materials. Mater Struct 54, 244 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01838-z

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