Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Interfacial Transition Zone: Microstructure, Properties, and Its Modification

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Recent Advances in Structural Engineering, Volume 2

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering ((LNCE,volume 12))

Abstract

Interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is the region of cement paste adjacent to the aggregate surface. Large size aggregates disturb the packing of cement in their near vicinity due to wall effect and form ITZ. The microstructure of ITZ is more porous and has higher calcium hydroxide (CH) content compared to the bulk cement paste. ITZ has been considered the weakest link in concrete due to its microstructure. The presence of ITZ is the reason of lower strength of concrete compared to its constituents, cement paste, and aggregate. Effect of ITZ on the transport properties of concrete is still a subject of debate. Improving the microstructure of ITZ is a good way of improving mechanical and transport properties of concrete. This paper reviews various alternative methods used for improving the microstructure of ITZ.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Scrivener KL, Crumbie AK, Laugesen P (2004) The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between cement paste and aggregate in concrete. Interface Sci 12:411–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Maso JC (ed) (1996) Interfacial transition zone in concrete: RILEM report (E & FN Spon)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hu J, Stroeven P (2004) Properties of the interfacial transition zone in model concrete. Interface Sci 12:389–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Bentz DP, Garboczi EJ (1999) In: Alexander MG et al (eds) Engineering and transport properties of the interfacial transition zone in cementitious composites. RILEM Publications SARL

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ollivier JP, Maso JC, Bourdette B (1995) Interfacial transition zone in concrete. Adv Cem Based Mater 2:30–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Scrivener KL, Nemati KM (1996) The percolation of pore space in the cement paste/aggregate interfacial zone of concrete. Cem Concr Res 26(1):35–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Yang C (2003) Effect of the interfacial transition zone on the transport and the elastic properties of mortar. Mag Concr Res 55(4):305–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Nyame BK (1985) Permeability of normal and lightweight mortars. Mag Concr Res 37(130):44–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Halamickova P, Detwiler RJ (1995) Water permeability and chloride ion diffusion in portland cement mortars: relationship to sand content and critical pore diameter. Cem Concr Res 25(4):790–802

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wong HS, Zobel M, Buenfeld NR, Zimmerman RW (2009) Influence of the interfacial transition zone and microcracking on the diffusivity, permeability and sorptivity of cement-based materials after drying. Mag Concr Res 61(8):571–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Tumidajski PJ (1996) Electrical conductivity of Portland cement mortars. Cem Concr Res 26(4):529–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Princigallo A, van Breugel K, Levita G (2003) Influence of the aggregate on the electrical conductivity of Portland cement concretes. Cem Concr Res 33:1755–1763

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Lawrence P, Cyr M, Ringot E (2003) Mineral admixtures in mortars effect of inert materials on short-term hydration. Cem Concr Res 33:1939–1947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Fanghui H, Qiang W, Jingjing F (2015) The differences among the roles of ground fly ash in the paste, mortar and concrete. Constr Build Mater 93:172–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Duan P, Shui Z, Chen W, Shen C (2013) Effects of metakaolin, silica fume and slag on pore structure, interfacial transition zone and compressive strength of concrete. Constr Build Mater 44:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Xuan DX, Shui ZH, Wu SP (2009) Influence of silica fume on the interfacial bond between aggregate and matrix in near-surface layer of concrete. Constr Build Mater 23:2631–2635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Rossignolo JA (2009) Interfacial interactions in concretes with silica fume and SBR latex. Constr Build Mater 23:817–821

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zhenhua L, Wang H, He S, Lu Y, Wang M (2006) Investigations on the preparation and mechanical properties of the nano-alumina reinforced cement composite. Mater Lett 60:356–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Ji T (2015) Preliminary study on the water permeability and microstructure of concrete incorporating nano-SiO2. Cem Concr Res 35:1943–1947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Mohseni E, Naseri F, Amjadi R, Khotbehsara MM, Ranjbar MM (2016) Microstructure and durability properties of cement mortars containing nano-TiO2 and rice husk ash. Constr Build Mater 114:656–664

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, Delhi, India

    Meenakshi Sharma & Shashank Bishnoi

Authors
  1. Meenakshi Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shashank Bishnoi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shashank Bishnoi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Structural Health Monitoring Laboratory, CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    A. Rama Mohan Rao

  2. Advanced Concrete Testing & Evaluation Laboratory (ACTEL), CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    K. Ramanjaneyulu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Sharma, M., Bishnoi, S. (2019). The Interfacial Transition Zone: Microstructure, Properties, and Its Modification. In: Rao, A., Ramanjaneyulu, K. (eds) Recent Advances in Structural Engineering, Volume 2. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering , vol 12. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0365-4_63

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0365-4_63

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-0364-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-0365-4

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation