Creep properties of cementitious materials from indentation testing: Significance, influence of relative humidity, and analogy between C-S-H and soils

  • M. Vandamme
  • , Q. Zhang
  • , F. J. Ulm
  • , R. Le Roy
  • , B. Zuber
  • , E. Gartner
  • , P. Termkhajornkit

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Concrete creeps, and this creep must be well characterized and modeled to properly design civil engineering infrastructures. Here, we present some results on the creep properties of cementitious materials obtained by using the indentation technique. Firstly, we show that minutes-long microindentations on cement paste yield a quantitative measurement of their long-term logarithmic creep kinetics, which can be used to predict the rate of long-term creep of concrete. Then, by performing microindentations, we study the effect of relative humidity on the long-term creep properties of hydrated C3S samples, compacted samples made of pure C-S-H, and compacted samples made of pure CH. The last part is dedicated to a study by nanoindentation of the creep properties of C-S-H phases directly within a hydrated cement paste. We identify scaling relations independent of mix proportion and heat treatment, which we can explain by drawing a thorough analogy between the mechanical behavior of C-S-H and that of clays.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMechanics and Physics of Creep, Shrinkage, and Durability of Conrete
Subtitle of host publicationA Tribute to Zdenek P. Bazant - Proceedings of the 9th Int. Conf. on Creep, Shrinkage, and Durability Mechanics, CONCREEP 2013
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages48-61
Number of pages14
ISBN (Print)9780784413111
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2013
Externally publishedYes
Event9th International Conference on Creep, Shrinkage, and Durability Mechanics: A Tribute to Zdenek P. Bazant, CONCREEP 2013 - Cambridge, MA, United States
Duration: 22 Sept 201325 Sept 2013

Publication series

NameMechanics and Physics of Creep, Shrinkage, and Durability of Conrete: A Tribute to Zdenek P. Bazant - Proceedings of the 9th Int. Conf. on Creep, Shrinkage, and Durability Mechanics, CONCREEP 2013

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Creep, Shrinkage, and Durability Mechanics: A Tribute to Zdenek P. Bazant, CONCREEP 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCambridge, MA
Period22/09/1325/09/13

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