Examination and modeling of fractality for pore-solid structure in cement paste: Starting from the mercury intrusion porosimetry test

• We examine the fractality in cement pastes.
• The MIP test reveals the most probable fractal type being the solid mass fractal.
• The fractal dimension varies with the distinct pore range.
• We introduce a generalized fractal approach to model the fractality.

Though discussed a lot, some prominent ambiguities have not been clarified yet with respect to the fractality of pore-solid structure in cement paste, i.e., the fractal type and the scale-dependent property. In this paper, starting from the common mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test, a comprehensive examination is conducted on the fractality in cement paste that might be the pore mass fractal, the pore surface fractal or the solid mass fractal. The results indicate that on one side the MIP test reveals the most probable fractal type being the solid mass fractal, and on the other side the fractal dimension varies with the scale of measurement, i.e., the distinct pore range. In addition, a generalized fractal approach is introduced that fits well for the related modeling of fractality in cement paste.