Abstract
Insulating concrete is a multiphase material designed for reduced thermal conductivity, and the void distribution in concrete strongly affects its physical properties such as mechanical response and heat conduction. Therefore, it is essential to develop a method for identifying the spatial distribution of voids. To examine the voids of insulating concrete specimens, micro-CT (computed tomography) images can be effectively used. The micro-CT images are binarized to visualize the void distribution and stacked to generate 3D specimen images. From the obtained images, the spatial distribution of the voids and the microscopic constituents inside the insulating concrete specimens can be identified. The void distribution in the material can be characterized using low-order probability functions such as two-point correlation, lineal-path, and two-point cluster functions. It is confirmed that micro-CT images and low-order probability functions are effective in describing the relative degree of void clustering and void connectivity in insulating concrete.
Highlights
The phase distribution of multiphase materials strongly affects their properties [1,2,3]
Insulating concrete is a multiphase material designed for reduced thermal conductivity, and the void distribution in concrete strongly affects its physical properties such as mechanical response and heat conduction
The properties of concrete, a random heterogeneous multiphase material that is widely used in infrastructure, are affected by the spatial distribution of each constituent, namely, cement, sand, and aggregate
Summary
The phase distribution of multiphase materials strongly affects their properties [1,2,3]. In this study, computed tomography (CT), a nondestructive and noninvasive method, is used to investigate the spatial distribution of the constituents of insulating concrete In this method, a series of cross-sectional images of insulating concrete are generated using X-rays without damaging the specimen. Zhang et al [10] used μCT to investigate mass diffusivity in cement paste These studies have adopted CT imaging methods to investigate the characteristics and properties of concrete materials. A μCT image expressed by a micrometer order pixel size is required to identify the voids induced by the glass beads in the insulating concrete specimen. The spatial distribution of glass beads as well as voids in the insulating concrete is examined using μCT images and low-order probability functions. The difference between the void distribution of concrete specimens with and without glass beads is compared to investigate the effect of the glass beads on the cementitious material
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