Water transport in cements: A bottom - up approach based on NMR relaxation and imaging analysis and numerical modelling
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
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Publications
Etzold M
(2014)
Growth of sheets in 3D confinements - a model for the C-S-H meso structure
in Cement and Concrete Research
Etzold MA
(2015)
Filling of three-dimensional space by two-dimensional sheet growth.
in Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
| Description | The grant examined the meso-structure of cement. This is a hydration product, called C-S-H, which forms when water is added to cement powder. Despite its vast use and economic importance there is still debate about the structure of C-S-H on the 1-5 nm length scale. There are numerous models available for the structure but they all have difficulties explaining the observed low permeability of cement paste. One proposed model for C-S-H involves two dimensional sheets, which grow at random orientations, filling space. We have shown how such structures fit all the experimental observations for C-S- H and can also predict low permeability values. The consequence of the work in this project is in predicting lifetimes for bridges and other concrete structures which are subject to moisture. |
| Exploitation Route | The sheet growth model has been published and there is interest in the cement community - time will tell as to how it is taken up. If successful it will allow the re-design of cement strength models. The physics side of the sheet growth model has also been published. The network model side of the work awaits writing up by the student and if this occurs it will be suitable for publication. |
| Sectors | Construction |
| Description | The grant has finished and the results have been published in Physical Review E and Cement and Concrete Research. The Cambridge side of the project produced a sheet growth model to predict the meso-structure of C-S-H. I think this is seminal and I hope that the cement community starts to use the model in their structure property models for cement and cementitious structures. Industry is very conservative so it will be more years before impact is directly felt. The Marie Curie Fellow used the sheet growth model to develop a collaboration with a German University, developing predictions of strength generation. The Marie Curie Fellow has developed into an independent researcher with their on research portfolio The Cement and Concrete Research paper has received 28 citations (Google Scholar, 23/2/20) which demonstrates a take up within teh academic community. |
| Sector | Construction,Education,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Estimation of Transport Properties of Model Cement Microstructures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop presentation as part of EU program. people listened to our work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |