Return to Part I Chapter 4 Sec. (9) Return to Table of Contents
Next: Introduction
During the past ten years, a comprehensive model for the three-dimensional
microstructural development of cement paste during hydration has been
developed and validated. The model employs a number of computational
and analytical tools including cellular automata, digital image processing
and reconstruction, percolation theory, and the maturity method. The
model has been successfully applied to predicting the percolation and diffusion
properties of cement pastes. Through a kinetics calibration, the evolution of
heat release, chemical shrinkage, and compressive strength with time have
been predicted. The variation of curing temperature and availability of
external curing water can also be simulated using the developed model.
This paper reviews the computational tools employed in the model, summarizes
the experimental and modelling approaches, and presents representative
predicted properties.
Return to Part I Chapter 4 Sec. (9) Return to Table of Contents