Relationships between Strength and Microstructure for Cement-Based Materials: an Overview

Abstract

AbstractThe mechanical properties of cement-based materials must be controlled by the microstructure, pore geometry and chemical composition of the cement, by the properties of the aggregate, and by the nature of the cement-aggregate bond. While the precise form of the strength vs. microstructure relationship is as yet only imperfectly understood, enough is known to permit us to predict what alterations in the microstructure are required for the production of materials with very high strengths. There are also techniques available for reducing the brittleness that is often a characteristic of high-strength materials. The present paper presents an overview of the strength vs. microstructure relationships that can be used to predict the properties of high strength cement-based materials, and a brief review of some of the methods for achieving high strengths.