Simulation of Cement Hydration and Porous Structures by the Hydration-Pixel Probability Model

Abstract

This research proposes a new pixel-based model called the hydration-pixel probability model which aims to simplify cement hydration as a probability problem. The hydration capacity of cement, the solution within pores, and the diffusion of solid particles are represented by three probability functions derived from experimental data obtained through electrical resistivity and hydration heat measurements. The principle of the model is relatively simple, and the parameters have clear physical meanings. In this research, the porous structures of different cement pastes with w/c ratios of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 are investigated. The results indicate that the porosity of the cement paste decreases during the first few hours, followed by a rapid decline, and eventually reaches a steady state. The porosity of the paste decreases as w/c ratio decreases, and the rate of decrease is more rapid in the early stages. Referring to the porosity curves, the average degree of hydration and depth of hydration can be derived. The simulation results show that the hydration degree of paste composed of irregular particles is higher than that of the paste composed of round particles. The trend in the development of the average hydration depth is similar to that of the average hydration degree. Upon analyzing the average growth rate of the hydration depth, it is observed that there are two peaks in the curves, which correspond to the three characteristic points in the electrical resistivity test.

Keywords

cement hydration model / porosity / hydration degree / simulation

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