Simulation of the Influence of Intrinsic C-S-H Aging on Time-Dependent Relaxation of Hydrating Cement Paste

Published

December 30, 2017

Author(s)

Xiaodan Li, Zachary Grasley, Edward Garboczi, Jeffrey W. Bullard

Abstract

A numerical model has been developed that combines finite element methods with microstructure development algorithms to quantitatively predict the stress relaxation of cement paste due to intrinsic calcium silicate hydrate (C- S-H) viscoelasticity/viscoplasticity and cement grain dissolution associated with the hydration process. The material model for the C-S-H incorporates intrinsic aging with respect to the mechanical constitutive behavior. The simulation results of virtual stress relaxation experiments suggest that when considering intrinsic C-S-H aging together with C- S-H viscoelasticity, the time-dependent mechanical properties of C-S-H phases are capable of generating the aging effect of cement paste, and can become a significant mechanism leading to the overall relaxation of cement paste, especially at later ages.

Citation

Construction and Building Materials

Volume

157

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

viscoelastic, finite element analysis, dissolution, microstructure, cement paste, aging

Citation

Li, X. , Grasley, Z. , Garboczi, E. and Bullard, J. (2017), Simulation of the Influence of Intrinsic C-S-H Aging on Time-Dependent Relaxation of Hydrating Cement Paste, Construction and Building Materials, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.178 (Accessed October 3, 2025)