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| Author(s): |
Aluísio Bráz de Melo
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | São Carlos. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT) |
| Defense date: | 2000-03-10 |
| Examining board members: |
Jefferson Benedicto Libardi Liborio;
Mercia Maria Semensato Bottura de Barros;
Paulo Roberto do Lago Helene;
Eduvaldo Paulo Sichieri;
Milton Ferreira de Souza
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| Advisor: | Jefferson Benedicto Libardi Liborio |
| Abstract | |
The initial investments of molds in the industry which makes pre-cast of Portland cement concrete is usually very high, thus creating a necessity to maximize the utilization of each moldings. The consequence is that the forms can be removed at inadequate time, which compromise the durability of the product. This contradicts the fundamental concepts of the pre-castings, which is related to a severe quality control. Steam curing is an alternative treatment and is used to accelerate the initial mechanical resistance of the concrete. This immediate benefit is accompanied by the decrease on final resistance compared to normal curing in humid chamber. This reduction is attributed to the development of a modified microstructure. To investigate this phenomenon, based on knowleledge of materials science and engineering, an experimental study is developed which is applied in pre-cast wich small thichness. The main objective of this work is to analyze the microstructure modifications and the hydrated compounds formed, after a period of steam curing, taking in account the used materiaIs, also to establish a relations with the loss of final strength. The influence of additions and duration of steam cycles are considered. The analyses of microstructures are based on the following tests: mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction. Based on the results it can be confirmed that steam curing favors a large formation of ponlandite and also accelerates pozzolanic reaction. For the composition of Portland cement, slag fumace blast (30%) and active silica (10%), submitted for long period of thermal cycles (12 hours, Tmax=61°C), a great loss strength was observed. In this case it is possible the formation of phases with poor mechanical performance. Through micrographs, for this sample, it is observed the formation of secondary ettringite with a large damage in the interface aggregate-paste. The conclusions suggest that to minimize the interference in the process of curing and to guarantee a minimum strength during the rapid separation of the concrete from the molds, with a minor loss in a long term, it is interesting to associate short steam cycles, high initial resistance cement, adive silica and superplasticizer. (AU) | |