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Title: Characterization of Portland cement concrete microstructure using the scanning acoustic microscope

Journal Article · · Cement and Concrete Research
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Federal High Administration, McLean, VA (United States). Exploratory Research Team
  2. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States). Geophysics Dept.
  3. Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Geophysics Lab.

The scanning acoustic microscope has been applied to investigate several aspects of Portland cement concrete microstructure. This method uses ultrasound to image the local impedance at each point of a material. The impedance image highlights microstructural features that are difficult to observe with other imaging techniques. The topics investigated so far include the influence of aggregate composition on the development of the cement paste-aggregate interface, the nature of interfacial transition zone, and ettringite formation. Several types of gels have been observed, and these can be classified by their characteristic impedance values. Future work includes quantification of impedance values by first arrival times and the identification of Portland cement concrete phases by ultrasonic impedance spectroscopy.

OSTI ID:
345093
Report Number(s):
CONF-971201-; ISSN 0008-8846; TRN: IM9922%%26
Journal Information:
Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 29, Issue 2; Conference: 1997 fall meeting of the Materials Research Society, Boston, MA (United States), 1-5 Dec 1997; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English