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Nanoindentation-based study of the micro-mechanical properties, structure, and hydration degree of slag-blended cementitious materials

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Abstract

Understanding the interplay between the micro-mechanical properties and the microstructure of cementitious materials can provide a basis for intelligently designing concrete with enhanced properties. In this study, the nanoindentation technique is used to measure the micro-mechanical properties of single phases through discrete nanoindentation and the properties over large areas of hardened pastes through grid nanoindentation. Comparisons are made between pastes with water-to-cementitious materials (w/cm) ratio by mass of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 and the slag content of 0, 50, and 70 % for w/cm = 0.3 paste, to illustrate their differences on the phase distribution and the micro-mechanical properties. Significant portion of composite phase is found in slag-blended paste. A three-phase model is used to determine the volume fraction of the unhydrated phase included in the composite. A nanoindentation-based methodology is proposed to calculate the degree of hydration of Portland cement and slag-blended cement pastes. The results are then compared with the degree of hydration quantified by using thermo-gravimetric analysis and the backscattered electron image analysis methods.

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Acknowledgement

This study was funded by National Science Foundation of China (grant number 51578316).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Civil Engineering Safety and Durability of China Education Ministry, Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Y. Wei, X. Gao & S. Liang

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  1. Y. Wei
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  2. X. Gao
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  3. S. Liang
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Correspondence to Y. Wei.

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Wei, Y., Gao, X. & Liang, S. Nanoindentation-based study of the micro-mechanical properties, structure, and hydration degree of slag-blended cementitious materials. J Mater Sci 51, 3349–3361 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9650-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9650-4

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