Nanostructure and Engineering Properties of 1.4 nm Tobermorite, Jennite and other Layered Calcium Silicate Hydrates
Creators: name: Pourbeik, Pouya
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2015
Subjects: calcium-silicate-hydrate
Nanostructure
Engineering Properties
1.4 nm Tobermorite
Jennite

description: The nature of the calcium-silicate-hydrate phase in hydrated Portland cement has been the subject of considerable debate for decades. Various nanostructural models have been proposed including those constructed from colloidal-based particulate systems and those formulated on the basis of layered calcium-silicate-hydrates. These are examined in detail in the literature review section of the thesis. Relatively recent composition-based models have been proposed by Taylor and Richardson-Groves. These models contain structural elements comprised of 1.4 nm tobermorite and jennite. Details are also provided in the literature review. There is however a paucity of data on the engineering properties of pure calcium-silicate-hydrate phases and virtually none on the mechanical performance of 1.4 nm tobermorite and jennite. The global objective of this thesis was to examine the compatibility of the composition-based models with the engineering behaviour of the pure tobermorite and jennite phases. Pure phases of a variety of layered calcium-silicate-hydrates were synthesized and novel techniques developed to determine their engineering characteristics in a variety of test environments. The silicate phases investigated included high temperature silicates e.g. gyrolite as these layered structures are known to be cross-linked. Investigation of the role of ‘structural’ water in layered silicates was also a part of these studies. The thesis is based on a series of twelve refereed journal papers by the candidate (eight are published or accepted and four have been submitted for publication). The research is reported in four parts with each part comprised of three papers. Each part provides insight into the nanostructure of C-S-H in hydrated cement. The arguments developed evolve from an assessment of various factors including aging and the state of water in the layered silicates. The first part of the thesis focuses on the development and application of dynamic mechanical thermo-analysis methods that are sensitive to phase changes and are useful for assessing the compatibility of engineering behaviour with model composition based on 1.4 nm tobermorite and jennite. The second part represents a study of volume stability and mechanical property-porosity relationships for the pure silicate phases that are germane to these studies. The third part focuses on prolonged aging and role of structural water in cement paste hydrated for 45 years. The fourth and final part attempts to address the role of layer structure e.g. cross-linking of silicate sheets on engineering behaviour. The non-uniqueness of modulus of elasticity with respect to equilibrium moisture content is demonstrated. Structurally related irreversible effects that are dependent on drying history are rationalized. A summary chapter is provided wherein the evidence for a composition-based model with tobermorite and jennite structural units is rationalized in terms of the experimental evidence provided in this study and suggestions for future research are discussed.