Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Influence of compaction on the interfacial transition zone and the permeability of concrete

Journal Article · · Cement and Concrete Research
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. EMPA, Swiss Federal Institute for Materials Testing and Research, Uberlandstr. 129, 8600 Duebendorf (Switzerland)

The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is regarded as a key feature for the transport properties and the durability of concrete. In this study one self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixture and two conventionally vibrated concrete (CVC) mixtures are studied in order to determine the influence of compaction on the porosity of the ITZ. Additionally oxygen permeability and water conductivity were measured in vertical and horizontal direction. The quantitative analysis of images made with an optical microscope and an environmental scanning electron microscope shows a significantly increased porosity and width of the ITZ in CVC compared to SCC. At the same time oxygen permeability and water conductivity of CVC are increased in comparison to SCC. Moreover, considerable differences in the porosity of the lower, lateral and upper ITZ are observed in both types of concrete. The anisotropic distribution of pores in the ITZ does not necessarily cause anisotropy in oxygen permeability and water conductivity though.

OSTI ID:
20871564
Journal Information:
Cement and Concrete Research, Journal Name: Cement and Concrete Research Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 36; ISSN 0008-8846; ISSN CCNRAI
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Microstructure of the interfacial transition zone and transport properties
Conference · Sat Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1995 · OSTI ID:214889

Sensitivity of the strength and toughness of concrete to the properties of the interfacial transition zone
Journal Article · Mon Apr 25 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Construction and Building Materials · OSTI ID:1872029

A study on characteristics of interfacial transition zone in concrete
Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2004 · Cement and Concrete Research · OSTI ID:20658357