Prediction of Elastic Properties of Cementitious Materials Based on Multiphase and Multiscale Micromechanics Theory

Abstract

Prediction of the elastic properties of cementitious materials has been the aim of many researchers. This study developed a new multiscale and multiphase model based on the Mori-Tanaka method for predicting effective elastic properties of hardened cement paste, such as modulus of elasticity. The model considered the microstructural variation in and nonspherical morphology of the hydration products in hardened cement paste. In order to improve prediction accuracy, the model included the effect of ettringite on the elastic properties in addition to the other major hydration products. Instead of considering cement clinker as an isotropic and homogeneous material, this study simulated the clinker as a four-phase composite. In addition, the model used a matrix-inclusion configuration that can include the clinker and ultra-high-density calcium silicate hydrate. Another improvement is that a weakened matrix-inclusion interface was introduced using the modified Eshelby tensor. The prediction results of the model were compared with the experimental data, and good agreement was obtained.