Abstract
The interface between filler and hydration products can have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the cement paste system. With different adhesion properties between filler and hydration products, the effect of microstructural features (size, shape, surface roughness), particle distribution and area fraction of filler on the fracture behavior of a blended cement paste system is supposed to be different, as well. In order to understand the effect of the microstructural features, particle distribution and area fraction of filler on the fracture behavior of a blended cement paste system with either strong or weak filler-matrix interface, microscale simulations with a lattice model are carried out. The results show that the strength of the filler-matrix interface plays a more important role than the microstructural features, particle distribution and area fraction of filler in the crack propagation and the strength of blended cement paste. The knowledge acquired here provides a clue, or direction, for improving the performance of existing fillers. To improve the performance of fillers in cement paste in terms of strength, priority should be given to improving the bond strength between filler particles and matrix, not to modifying the microstructural features (i.e., shape and surface roughness) of the filler.
Highlights
Portland cement is a basic component of concrete with a high environmental impact because of high CO2 emissions and energy consumption during production
In order to study the effect of filler/matrix interfacial strength on the plastic-damage of cementitious composites, the effect of particle distribution, size, shape, surface roughness and area fraction of filler on the fracture of blended cement paste with different adhesion properties between filler and hydration products is investigated
The influence of particle distribution, size, shape, surface roughness area fraction of filler on filler-matrix interface, the strength of specimens is always lower than thatand with a strong filler-matrix the tensileasstrength micro-crack in blended cementofpaste specimens with and interface, shown inand
Summary
Portland cement is a basic component of concrete with a high environmental impact because of high CO2 emissions and energy consumption during production. With the lattice fracture model, one can effectively simulate the micro-mechanical behavior of blended cement paste in order to gain insight into the effect of microstructural features, particle distribution and area fraction of filler on the strength and the fracture behavior of blended cement paste. The results of these simulations will enable us to get a better understanding of the role of filler-hydrates adhesion properties and their influence on the strength of blended cement paste. The strong filler-matrix interface simulates the interface between limestone particles and hydration products, whereas the weak interface simulates the interface between quartz particles and hydration products
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