2024/04/03 by Luca Michel, Lex Reiter, Michel, Luca +7
Engineering · #FOS: Physical sciences #Power Transformer Diagnostics and Insulation #Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2404.02850
openalex publication_date 2024/04/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Structural build-up in fresh cement paste at rest is characterized by time evolutions of storage modulus and yield stress, which both increase linearly in time during the induction period of hydration, followed by an exponential evolution after entering the acceleration period. While it is understood that C-S-H formation at contact points between cement particles dictates build-up in the acceleration period, the mechanism in the induction period lacks consensus. Here, we provide experimental evidence that, at least in absence of admixtures, structural build-up at rest originates in both periods from the same mechanism. We couple calorimetry and oscillatory shear measurements of OPC at different w/c ratios, capturing how the storage modulus evolves with changes in cumulative heat. We obtain an exponential relation between stiffness and heat, with the same exponent in both the induction and acceleration periods. This suggests that C-S-H formation dictates build-up at rest in both periods.