Mechanical Behavior and Percolation of Pore Space in the Interfacial Transition Zone of Concrete

The cement paste in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) around aggregate particles has a significantly higher porosity than bulk cement paste. This elevated porosity will effect the transport properties of concrete. The molten metal penetration test was utilized to intruded into voids and fractures in concrete and then solidified to preserve the geometry of the microcracks. The penetration of this alloy, knows as Wood's metal, into concrete samples indicates that the porosity in the interfacial zone is permeated preferentially to the bulk paste. This technique also indicates the width of the interfacial zone in which the porosity is interconnected.

Keywords:

percolation , Wood’s metal , porosity , interfacial transition zone