Abstract
Abstract A stereoscopic scanning electron microscopic (SEM) method, based on surface areas tallied over a much wider range of measurement scales than has been used in the past, was used to evaluate the fractal characteristics of fracture surfaces of cement pastes and mortars. Fracture surfaces of cement pastes exhibit two distinct fractal regimes: a regime of low fractal dimension (ca. 2.02) at low magnification scales and a significantly higher fractal dimension (ca. 2.12) at higher magnifications. The crossover occurs at a scale dimension slightly greater than 1 μm 2 . Neither water/binder (w/b) ratio nor the presence of silica fume appears to influence these fractal characteristics. Cement paste areas exposed on mortar fracture surfaces are identical with those of cement paste specimens. In contrast to the paste areas, areas of crushed sand exposed on mortar fracture surfaces display a single fractal domain of significantly higher fractal dimension, around 2.20.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
