AbstractX-ray microtomography can be used to generate three-dimensional 5123 images of random materials at a resolution of a few micrometers per voxel. This technique has been used to obtain an image of an ASTM C109 mortar sample that had been exposed to a sodium sulfate solution. The three-dimensional image clearly shows sand grains, cement paste, air voids, cracks, and needle-like crystals growing in the air voids. Volume fractions of sand and cement paste determined from the image agree well with the known quantities. Implications for the study of microstructure and proposed uses of X-ray microtomography on cement-based composites are discussed.
The X ray computed tomography (X-CT) was applied to test the cracking resistance of cement paste, and the hydration process was monitored to study the effect of fly ash on the early age cracking performance. The results showed that the hydration heat reduced with the increase of fly ash under the same water-cement ratio. Within 24h, the porosity increased with time. The addition of fly ash increased the proportion of large holes and then changed the internal stress state. Using X-CT test method and by comparing the number of cracks, the sample with 20% FA was found to have the most serious cracks, whereas the sample with 30% FA had the best crack resistance.
The variation of pore structure in cement paste exposed to sodium sulfate solution with an in-suit X-ray CT testing technology
