Title: Effect of Water-Cement Ratio of Cement Pastes on Microstructural Characteristics Related to Carbonation Process

Author(s): T. Chaussadent, V. Baroghel-Bouny, H. Hornain, N. Rafai, and A. Ammouche

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 192

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 523-538

Keywords: calcium compounds; cement pastes; hydration; microstructure; strains; water-cement ratio

DOI: 10.14359/5769

Date: 4/1/2000

Abstract:
The carbonation of concrete depends both on the carbon dioxide penetration through the pore network and on the accessibility of the calcium-containing compounds such as calcium hydroxide or C-S-H gel. The aim of this work was to determine the influence of the W/C on the microstructural characteristics of cement pastes. Investigations were performed during the hydration process at early age and on 28-day and 2-year old hydrated cement pastes made with a Type I normal portland cement. The W/C were .25, .35, .45, and .60. The main results are as follows: Porosity and autogenous strain measurements, completed with SEM observations, show that the microstructrual characteristics are very different between pastes having WC above and below .35-.40. Above this value: The porosity strongly increases; The autogenous deformations exhibits a swelling phase before self-desiccation shrinkage; The calcium hydroxide appears in large crystals. SEM examinations and EDX analysis show that, for an equivalent degree of hydration, the calcium hydroxide amount increases and that the CaO/SiO2 ratio of the C-S-H decreases as the W/C increases. Explanations of the results are proposed, taking into account the ability of the water to diffuse thought the structure and to react with unhydrated cement. The implication of these results in carbonation process are also discussed.