Title: Long-Term Properties of Mortar Exposed to a Vacuum

Author(s): Hiroshi Kanamori, Shinji Matsumoto, and Noboru Ishikawad

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 125

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 57-70

Keywords: age; compressive strength; concretes; drying shrinkage; exposure; flexural strength; lunar bases; mortars (material); porosity; tests; vacuum-treated concrete; water of hydration; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/2415

Date: 5/1/1991

Abstract:
Effects of a vacuum environment on properties of hardened mortar made with cement-based materials are discussed. In this study, mortar specimens were exposed to a vacuum environment after various water curing periods. Several characteristics of the specimens, such as weight, strain, porosity, and strength, were measured before and after the vacuum exposure. A significant water loss and shrinkage strain were observed in tested specimens after specific vacuum exposure. Therefore, some measures are required to prevent shrinkage-induced cracks. In some cases, strengths for some vacuum-exposed mortar specimens were higher than water-cured companion specimens. Based on these experimental results, possible applications of concrete on the moon are recommended in this study.