Investigations on The Micro-Structure of Hardened Cement Pastes

Abstract Creep is a mechanical property, that has to be taken into account in the design of concrete constructions. Earlier studies showed that creep of concrete, among other things, depends on the relative humidity of the environment and on the type of cement used. The origin of creep lies in the hydrated cement paste, which is present between the aggregates. This paper, based on a thesis of H.H. Willems (ref. 1) deals with the relation between the creep behaviour and the microstructure of hardened Portland (PC) and Portland-blastfurnace cement (PBC) pastes. At several relative humidities shrinkage and creep experiments have been performed with thin-walled hollow cylindrical specimens. Nex…