Assessing properties of hydrating cement paste using X-ray computed tomography characterization

Properties of concrete are, to a large extent, dependent on the properties of its binding constituent, hydrated cement paste. Therefore, knowledge of properties of hydrated cement paste is crucial for predicting concrete behaviour. This paper presents an experimentally informed approach for modelling elastic and transport properties of cement paste. The models used realistic microstructural information-obtained by X-ray computed tomography-as input for property determination. The properties were then determined using discrete numerical models, namely, models based on a lattice approach. Modelling results were compared with literature data, showing excellent correlations. Furthermore, dependence of properties of cement paste on the total porosity, based on the modelling results, was explored. Finally, a correlation between elastic and transport properties for the explored range of Portland cement pastes was established. It is seen that the models can be used for property prediction, but also for exploring correlations between different parameters.