Statistical homogenization of elastic properties of cement paste based on X-ray microtomography images

This paper proposes a statistical multiscale homogenization method to extract effective elastic properties of cement paste on the basis of X-ray microtomography images. The procedure starts at the nanolevel of the C-S-H matrix. Because the highest resolution of current X-ray microtomography is at micrometer scale, C-S-H and CH remains unsegmented. The unresolved hydrated cement is homogenized by a two-step analytical method based on Mori–Tanaka (M–T) scheme. A statistical numerical homogenization method based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) was used to homogenize the elastic properties of cement pastes. Mean elastic properties showed good agreement with experimental results. The proposed multiscale method combines advanced analytical, numerical and experimental methods in a systematical way so that the inputs are phase material properties and X-ray microtomography images only. The novelty of this method is in the avoidance of any subjective decision.

► Produce elastic properties of cement paste based on X-ray microtomography images. ► Only phase properties and X-ray microtomography images are needed. ► Avoids any subjective decision and differs from previous work. ► Based on recent research on cement paste microstructure.