Water Movement During Internal Curing: Direct Observation Using X-Ray Microtomography.
Water Movement During Internal Curing: Direct
Observation Using X-Ray Microtomography.
(1235 K)
Bentz, D. P.; Halleck, P. M.; Grader, A. S.; Roberts, J.
W.
Concrete International, Vol. 28, No. 10, 39-45, October
2006.
Keywords:
curing; water; x-ray microtomography; mortar; cements;
size distribution; cements; hydration; compressive
strength
Abstract:
Internal curing provides internal reservoirs that supply
hydrating cement paste with the water needed to maintain
saturation. This is especially critical during the first
day of hydration in high-performance concretes, as
without it, significant autogenous shrinkage and
cracking can occur. In the study described in this
article, three-dimensional x-ray microtomography was
used to observe water movement from saturated
lightweight aggregate used for internal curing of a
high-performance mortar. The observations presented are
supported by more conventional measures of performance.
