Author(s)

K. van Breugel

Abstract

Numerical simulation of hydration and microstructural development of cement-based composites K. van Breugel Faculty of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands ABSTRACT A computer-based numerical model is presented which simulates hydration and microstructural development in Portland cement-based composites. The model, called HYMOSTRUC, predicts hydration curves as a function of the particle size distribution and chemical composition of the cement, the water/cement ratio and the actual reaction temperature. The influence of microstructural development, i.e. the formation of interparticle contacts, on the rate of hydration is modelled explicitly. Parameters used for quantification of particle interactions are dis- cussed in view of their correlation with strength development. The potential of the model to allow for the effect of the reaction temperature on the relationship between strength and microstructural properties is briefly discussed.

Keywords