Toughening of high performance cement systems: Influence of matrix-aggregate binding

T. F. Stebbings*, H. W. Chandler, D. E. Macphee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPublished conference contribution

Abstract

It has been shown recently that the bond between aggregate and matrix in cement mortars can influence composite toughness by controlling the extent of aggregate bridging taking place. Aggregate bridging is widely known to be an effective crack wake mechanism that increases the toughness of brittle materials. This paper describes the effectiveness of this mechanism in high strength cements which are known to exhibit increased brittleness due to the higher levels of strain energy stored prior to failure. Pore Reduced Cement (PRC) and silica fume blended cement are used as model high strength matrices. The increased density of conventional high strength pastes that results from the lower water cement ratio and better particle packing does not immediately lend itself to this toughening mechanism because of the increased physical bond developed between matrix and aggregate. However, the present study has shown that the measured toughness can also be used as a means of assessing the relative strength of the matrix- angular aggregate interaction.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRole of Cement Science in Sustainable Development - Proceedings of the International Symposium dedicated to Professor Fred Glasser, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
EditorsR.K. Dhir, M.D. Newlands, K.A. Paine
PublisherICE Publishing
Pages403-412
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)0727732463, 9780727732477
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003
EventRole of Concrete in Sustainable Development - International Symposium Celebrating Concrete: People and Practice - Dundee, United Kingdom
Duration: 3 Sept 20034 Sept 2003

Conference

ConferenceRole of Concrete in Sustainable Development - International Symposium Celebrating Concrete: People and Practice
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityDundee
Period3/09/034/09/03

Keywords

  • Crack-bridging
  • High strength concrete
  • Interfacial bond
  • Pore reduced cements
  • Toughness
  • Unbonded inclusions

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