Modelling cement microstructure: Pixels, particles, and property prediction

During the past ten years, a comprehensive model for the three-dimensional microstructural development of cement paste during hydration has been developed and validated. The model employs a number of computational and analytical tools including cellular automata, digital image processing and reconstruction, percolation theory, and the maturity method. The model has been successfully applied to predicting the percolation and diffusion properties of cement pastes. Through a kinetics calibration, the evolution of heat release, chemical shrinkage, and compressive strength with time have been predicted. The variation of curing temperature and availability of external curing water can also be simulated using the developed model. This paper reviews the computational tools employed in the model, summarizes the experimental and modelling approaches, and presents representative predicted properties.RésuméDurant les dix dernières années, un modèle tri-dimensionnel pour le développement microstructurel de la pâte de ciment pendant l'hydratation a été développé et validé. Le modèle utilise un certain nombre d'outils informatiques et analytiques incluant un automate cellulaire, l'analyse d'images numériques et la théorie de la percolation. Le modèle a été utilisé avec succès pour prédire les propriétés de percolation et de diffusion des pâtes de ciment. Grâce à un étalonnage cinétique, l'évolution du dégagement de chaleur, le retrait chimique et la résistance à la compression ont pu être prévus. La variation de température de maturation et la disponibilité de l'eau de cure externe, peuvent être également simulées en utilisant le modèle développé. Cet article passe en revue les outils informatiques utilisés dans le modèle, résume les approches expérimentales et de modélisation et présente les propriétés prévues par le modèle.

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