Multi-scale strategy to estimate the mechanical and diffusive properties of cementitious materials prepared with CEM II/C-M

A procedure to estimate the mechanical and diffusive properties of cement pastes, mortars concretes made with a novel CEM II/C-M (S-LL) binder that has been developed within European EnDurCrete project, is presented in this paper. The objective set up strategy able determine materials composition at different scales various configurations, provide reliable estimates properties. phase assemblages pastes upon hydration, further exposed carbonation, leaching water or chloride containing solutions, are first simulated using thermodynamic modeling. Different homogenization schemes then applied, hydrated degraded scales. interfacial transition zone (ITZ) mortar concrete accounted for by means specific hypotheses regarding its thickness respective volume fraction hydrates capillary pores. application differential scheme (DIF) paste scale, higher generalized self-consistent (GSCS) accounting ITZ modeled as an interface combined DIF scheme, show good consistency measured Young's modulus. In parallel, simulations performed on 3D specimens composed spherical particles surrounded layer additional data comparison. Numerical results analytical estimations found be excellent agreement. Finally, study focusing effects both shows significant impact composition.