Phase development in normal and ultra high performance cementitious systems by quantitative X-ray analysis and thermoanalytical methods

Quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) and thermogravimetry (TG) methods are used to determine the phase development up to 28 days of hydration in normal and ultra high performance cementitious systems (UHPC) that do not contain aggregate. The phase development in ultra high performance cementitious formulation is quantitatively and kinetically different from that in normal concrete formulation. This is related to the different components employed and their associated reactions. For both formulations the most remarkable changes of the phase contents are recorded between the first and second hydration day and up to the seventh day. After the seventh day less phase content changes are measured. Because of the non sufficient water amount for hydration, considerable amount of cement remains non hydrated in the UHPC formulation. The portlandite content, which is present in the UHPC specimen, gives evidence for non complete pozzolanic reactions even after 28 days of hydration, whereas the absence of calcite in the UHPC specimen indicates an insignificant carbonation in this specimen.