Pore-structural Parameters of Concrete, their Inter-Relationship and Correlation to Compressive Strength

Abstract

An extensive literature review was carried out on various forms of pore structural parameters (pore diameters) of concrete such as critical pore diameter, mean pore diameter, and threshold pore diameter and their correlations to compressive strength of concrete. From the review of the literature, it has been observed that the inter-relationships among various forms of pore diameters and their correlation to compressive strength of concrete have not been discussed much in the existing literature. Hence, efforts were made to develop a simple and generalized relationship between threshold pore diameter and the compressive strength of concrete. In addition, with the help of generated experimental database, empirical relationships were proposed correlating various forms of pore diameters such as threshold pore diameter, mean pore diameter, and critical pore diameter. The whole exercise was carried out with six grades of concrete (three with ordinary Portland cement and three with Portland pozzolana cement) and each with six curing periods (1, 3, 7, 28, 56, and 90 days).

Keywords: Concrete, Compressive strength, Pore diameters, Correlations