Mechanical, electrical and microstructural properties of cement-based materials in conditions of stray current flow

Mechanical, electrical and microstructural properties of cement-based materials in conditions of stray current flow

Susanto, A.
Koleva, D.A.
Copuroglu, O.
Van Beek, C.
Van Breugel, K.

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

Structural Engineering

2013-03-31

This investigation presents a comparative study on mechanical properties, electrical resistivity and microstructure of mortar under DC current, compared to mortar in rest (no current) conditions. Monitoring was performed from 24h after casting until 84 days of cement hydration. A current density level of 10 mA/m2 was chosen as a simulation regime. It was found that the DC current exerts microstructural changes in the bulk mortar matrix and thereby affects electrical properties and mechanical performance. Whereas the latter were slightly influenced, the former were modified to a more significant extent; the current flow was found to cause initial densification of the bulk matrix at earlier stages (until 14 days of age), whereas coarsening of the material was observed after 56 and until 84 days of cement hydration. Additionally, numerical simulation of the stray current distribution is performed, meant to serve as a basis for further elaborated modelling of the level of current density that could exert significant microstructural alterations in a bulk cement-based matrix.

stray current
microstructure
cement
ESEM
MIP
image analysis

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2493065b-44ec-4286-acb5-33d59e1612ef

https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.11.119

Japan Concrete Institute

2013-09-04

1347-3913

Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 11 (3), 2013

Institutional Repository

journal article

(c) 2013 Japan Concrete Institute