Calcium silicate hydrate colloid at different humidities: Microstructure, deformation mechanism, and mechanical properties

Liang, Chengyao; Zheng, Qi; Jiang, Jinyang; Monteiro, Paulo J. M.; Li, Shaofan

doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2022.117740

Title: Calcium silicate hydrate colloid at different humidities: Microstructure, deformation mechanism, and mechanical properties

Journal Article · 13 February 2022 · Acta Materialia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2022.117740 · OSTI ID:1981522

Liang, Chengyao ^[1]; Zheng, Qi ^[2]; Jiang, Jinyang ^[3]; Monteiro, Paulo J. M. ^[1];

^[1]

University of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
University of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Southeast University, Nanjing (China)
Southeast University, Nanjing (China)

Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) is the main hydration product of Portland cement, while fundamental questions persist regarding its colloidal structure and water content. In this work, we developed a full atomistic C-S-H colloid model and investigated the physical and mechanical properties at different gel water concentrations. Water confined in nanometer gel pores degrades the mechanical properties of C-S-H because of its hydrolysis effect. A “ductile to brittle” transition was observed in the C-S-H colloid model with increasing gel water contents, evolving from transgranular failure to intergranular fracture. The gel water confined in nanometer-sized pores displays glassy characteristics, and it acts as a lubricant and facilitates structure distortions during the deformation. We elucidated the topology effect of the hydrogen bond network on the evolution of the viscoelasticity of C-S-H at different humidities. In conclusion, this work sheds light on the role of water in C-S-H colloids from nanostructure perspectives.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Molecular Foundry

Sponsoring Organization:: National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1981522

Journal Information:: Acta Materialia, Journal Name: Acta Materialia Journal Issue: C Vol. 228; ISSN 1359-6454

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Atomistic simulation
Cementitious material
Colloid model of C-S-H
Gel water
Humidity
Materials Science
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Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
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Title: Calcium silicate hydrate colloid at different humidities: Microstructure, deformation mechanism, and mechanical properties

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