COARSE CAPILLARY PORE STRUCTURES AND PHASE CONSTITUTION IN CEMENT PASTE WITH MINERAL ADMIXTURES

Abstract

Capillary pore structures in cement pastes with mineral admixtures were revealed by a combination of SEM-BSE image analysis and calculations based on the Powers' model. Degrees of pozzolanic reaction were evaluated by the selective dissolution method. In cement pastes with silica fume and fly ash, the volume ratio of large capillary pores to the total porosity were increased. The gel/space ratios of cement paste with mineral admixtures were not consistent with the evolution of compressive strength at long ages. This fact suggests that the compressive strength is influenced by not only the total porosity but also the volume ratios of coarse pores to the total porosity.