Modeling of internal curing in maturing mortar

Prediction of the influence of internal curing both on the material behavior during maturing and on its final physical properties is an important issue in concrete research. A novel, mechanistic-type numerical model of concrete is applied for modeling the chemo-physical phenomena taking place during internal curing. The model takes into account full coupling between chemo-thermal, hygral and mechanical phenomena in porous media (i.e., maturing cement paste or mortar). In this work, the recent development of the model for description of internal curing is presented along with the results of simulations. The model allows for description of the influence of internal curing on such phenomena as hydration, self-desiccation or autogenous shrinkage. The results of the simulations are compared with the experimental data concerning autogenous phenomena in low water-to-cement ratio mortars containing superabsorbent polymers.