Abstract
The tortuosity of the pore structure is an important factor affecting medium (water and harmful ions) transport in cement-based materials. In this study, a new tortuosity model was established to reveal the effect of aggregate size, morphology, and graded media on the transport path in cement-based materials. Based on the stereological principle and the geometric algorithm, the distribution model of the ideal pebble and polygonal aggregate in cement-based materials was given first. Then, based on the image processing technology and MATLAB software, the morphology of the actual aggregate was also characterized to prove the similarity relationship between the ideal aggregate and actual aggregate. The reliability of the tortuosity model was verified by the mercury intrusion porosimetry test and data from other literature. Based on the tortuosity model, the influences of the aggregate particle shape parameters, hydration degree, and water-to-cement ratio on the tortuosity of the transport path were analyzed. Finally, the tortuosity model was further simplified to facilitate engineering application.
Highlights
The tortuosity in pore structure is one of the key factors affecting the transport performance of cement-based materials
(1a)the cp c of actual aggregate morphology on tortuosity, the tortuosity model was validated by l st and lfinally sa sa st mercury intrusion porosimetry test and the data reported in previous studies
According to the parameters required for the tortuosity model established in Section 2.1, the parameters of the micro-characteristics were selected to characterize the morphology of the actual pebble and gravel aggregates
Summary
The tortuosity in pore structure is one of the key factors affecting the transport performance of cement-based materials. The above models were obtained through the experimental statistical method, and the influence of the change of the aggregate’s own morphology on the transport path in cement-based materials was not fully considered, resulting in a certain under estimation between the theoretical prediction and the actual medium transport. Liu et al [11] provided a multi-scale transport tortuosity model ranging from the nano-scale through to the micro-scale and macro-scale of concrete, which was based on the porous media mechanics and multi-scale method, combined with numerical calculation and 3D visualization. 3 ofwas randomness aggregate distribution in concrete on the transport path of cement-based materials not fully considered, resulting in a certain gap between the theoretical prediction and actual medium displacement between point andprinciple the end point of the particles. The morphology of the actual aggregate was quantitatively characterized technology considering the effect s st by stimage ssa processing sa (1a)the cp c of actual aggregate morphology on tortuosity, the tortuosity model was validated by l st and lfinally sa sa st mercury intrusion porosimetry test and the data reported in previous studies
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