Analysis of CCRL Proficiency Cements 151 and 152 Using the Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Laboratory

Published

May 31, 2006

Author(s)

Jeffrey W. Bullard, Paul E. Stutzman

Abstract

To test the ability of the Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Laboratory (VCCTL) software to predict cement hydration properties, characterization of mineralogy and phase distribution is necessary. Compositional and textural characteristics of Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) cements 151 and 152 were determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis followed by computer modeling of hydration properties. The general procedure to evaluate a cement is as follows: 1) two-dimensional SEM backscattered electron and X-ray microanalysis images of the cement are obtained, along with a measured particle size distribution (PSD); 2) based on analysis of these images and the measured PSD, three-dimensional microstructures of various water-to-cement ratios are created and hydrated using VCCTL, and 3) the model predictions for degree of hydration under saturated conditions, heat of hydration (ASTM C186), setting time (ASTM C191), and strength development of mortar cubes (ASTM C109) are compared to experimental measurements either performed at NIST or at the participating CCRL proficiency sample evaluation laboratories. For both cements, generally good agreement is observed between the model predictions and the experimental data.

Citation

Cement and Concrete Research

Volume

36

Issue

No. 8

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

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Keywords

building technology, cement, computer modeling, heat of hydration, hydration kinetics, particle size distribution, SEM imaging, strength development.

Citation

Bullard, J. and Stutzman, P. (2006), Analysis of CCRL Proficiency Cements 151 and 152 Using the Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Laboratory, Cement and Concrete Research, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860676 (Accessed April 24, 2024)