Papers by Author: Jian De Han

Abstract: In this study three-dimensional X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) is used to investigate the testing results differences of cement paste and mortar before and after drying. It can be found that the mean gray values of paste and mortar before drying are bigger than after drying, and the impact of drying on cement paste is more serious than mortar. In addition, the porosity of non-drying cement paste and mortar is 1.10% and 0.43%, while that of drying cement paste and mortar is 1.55% and 0.70%, respectively. So, the porosity of paste and mortar markedly increases after drying process. The numbers of pores of paste and mortar sharply increase after drying process in particular between 0.01mm3 and 0.1mm3. The impact of drying on smaller pores is more serious than bigger pores.

Abstract: Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were used to in situ observation microstructure character changes of hardened cement paste due to carbonation. Three types water-to-cement ratio of 0.53, 0.35 and 0.23 were research. When w/c=0.53, Carbonation enlarged the cracks, and some calcium carbonate spots appear on the calcium hydroxide crystals. When w/c=0.35, less cracks appear, and some white flocculent calcium carbonated appear on the calcium hydroxide crystals than above w/c=0.53 cement paste. When w/c=0.23, the microstructure character before and after carbonation have distinct changes, and some cracks become small or disappeared. Unhydrated cement clinkers continue to hydrate reactions and there are many white SiO₂•nH₂O (silica gel) after C-S-H gel carbonation in cement paste matrix.

Abstract: X-ray computed tomography (XCT), a non-destructive test, was used to study three dimensional (3D) meso-defect volume distribution changes of cement paste due to carbonation. The 3D meso-defect volume from 0.02mm3 ~5mm3 before and after carbonation was analyzed through add-on modules of 3D defect analysis. The experimental results show that the meso-defect volume fraction before and after carbonation are 0.7685% and 2.44%, respectively. After carbonation, the smaller defect increased significantly than the bigger defect.