- Author
- Bentz, D. P. | Garboczi, E. J.
- Title
- Digitized Simulation Model for Microstructural Development.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Book or Conf
- National Institute of Standards and Technology and American Ceramic Society. Advances in Cementitious Materials. Ceramic Transactions. Volume 16. July 22-26, 1990, Gaithersburg, MD, Mindess, S., Editors, 211-226 p., 1991
- Keywords
- cements | simulation | hydration | microstructures | random dissolution | diffusion | nucleation | surface reaction
- Abstract
- Characterization of the microstructure of hydrating cement is difficult due to its complexity. Models of the hydration process provide one means of characterization as they attempt to duplicate features of real microstructures. This paper presents a simple model for hydration consisting of steps which can be considered to represent random dissolution, diffusion, nucleation, and surface reaction. The model has been developed in a digitized format. Space is represented as an array of pixels, each of which is classified as a given material: reactant, dissolved species, hydrate, or water-filled pore. Having the model in digitized format allows for the visualization of the hydration as it occurs and for rapid subsequent quantification of the resultant microstructure. In addition, real images of cement particles can be digitized and used as the starting material for model execution. Algorithms for, and results of, the model are presented.