Title: Mechanical Properties of the Interfacial Transition Zone: a Review

Author(s): S. Mindess

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 156

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-10

Keywords: aggregates; bleeding (concrete); bonding; cements; hardness; fracture properties; mechanical properties; specimens; strength; toughness; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/1018

Date: 9/1/1995

Abstract:
Reviews the mechanical properties of the cement-aggregate bond, with particular reference to the inherent difficulties in determining these properties. The properties that are determined experimentally appear to be largely artifacts of the specimen preparation and the test procedures. In particular, bleeding effects, the roughness of the rock surface, and the heterogeneity of the interfacial region make it very difficult to compare experimental results among the different investigations that are found in the literature. The authors conclude that useful measurements of the properties of the cement-aggregate interfacial zone still cannot be made. Therefore, the properties of concrete cannot yet be controlled by systematically altering the nature of the interfacial region.