Title:
Enhancing Strength and Reducing Porosity via Nucleation Seeding
Author(s):
Nishant Garg
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S25_GargFaisalQadri.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
3/30/2025
Abstract:
C-S-H seeds are a new class of commercially available admixtures that serve as nucleation sites for additional hydration products. In the past decade, they have been used to enhance the early strength of concrete. While their impact on strength is well known, relatively little information is available about their influence on microstructure and porosity. In this talk, we will share our latest results on seeded mixtures where the porosity is examined by a combination of helium pycnometry as well as high-resolution confocal laser profilometry. Helium pycnometry reveals a clear reduction in open porosity proportional to the seed dosage. Moreover, laser profilometry reveals a microstructural refinement upon the addition of these C-S-H seeds. Together, these results provide strong evidence for porosity reduction in the presence of these C-S-H seeds, suggesting potentially enhanced durability.