Impact of carbonation on the durability of cementitious materials: water transport properties characterization

International audienceWithin the context of long-lived intermediate level radioactive waste geological disposal, reinforced concrete would be used. In service life conditions, the concrete structures would be subjected to drying and carbonation. Carbonation relates to the reaction between carbon dioxide (CO 2) and the main hydrates of the cement paste (portlandite and C-S-H). Beyond the fall of the pore solution pH, indicative of steel depassivation, carbonation induces mineralogical and microstructural changes (due to portlandite and C-S-H dissolution and calcium carbonate precipitation). This results in the modification of the transport properties, which can impact the structure durability. Because concrete durability depends on water transport, this study focuses on the influence of carbonation on water transport properties. In fact, the transport properties of sound materials are known but they still remain to be assessed for carbonated ones. An experimental program has been designed to investigate the transport properties in carbonated materials. Four hardened cement pastes, differing in mineralogy, are carbonated in an accelerated carbonation device (in controlled environmental conditions) at CO2 partial pressure of about 3%. Once fully carbonated, all the data needed to describe water transport, using a simplified approach, will be evaluated

Impact of carbonation on unsaturated water transport properties of cement-based materials

International audienceIn unsaturated conditions, the durability of concrete structures is strongly dependent on the evolution of the amount of free water within concrete porosity. Reliable durability assessment of concrete structures in relation to their environment thus requires accurate unsaturated water transport description as well as reliable input data. The effect of carbonation on water transport remains poorly studied and data are lacking. It was then the purpose of this article to acquire all the data needed to describe unsaturated water transport in carbonated cementitious materials (porosity, water retention and unsaturated permeability). Four hardened pastes made with four different binders were carbonated at 3% CO2 to ensure representativeness with natural carbonation. Beyond the modification of the water retention curve and porosity clogging, significant microcracking due to carbonation shrinkage was observed. The consequence on permeability highlighted a competition between porosity clogging and microcracking that was dependent on the initial mineralogical composition

Effect of crosslinking on the microtribological behavior of model polymer brushes

Polymer brushes in good solvents are known to exhibit excellent tribological properties. We have modeled polymer brushes and their gels using a multibead-spring model and studied their tribological behavior via nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations. Simulations of brush- against-wall systems were performed using an implicit solvent-based approach. Polymer chains were modeled as linear chains, randomly grafted on a planar surface. Quantities extracted from the simulations are the normal stress, shear stress and concentration profiles. We find that while an increase in the degree of crosslinking leads to an increase in the coefficient of friction, an increase of the length of crosslinker chains does the opposite. Effect of crosslinking can be understood in two ways: (i) there are fewer polymer chains in the outer layer as the degree of crosslinking increases to take part in brush-assisted lubrication, and (ii) crosslinked polymer chains are more resistant to shear than non-crosslinked ones

Impact de la carbonatation sur les propriétés de transport d'eau des matériaux cimentaires

The French design of deep geological repository involves the use of cement-based materials (vault cell and containers). The durability assessment over the operational phase (supply 100 years) is decisive. In operating conditions, a ventilation system would maintain the CO2 partial pressure within the disposal, subjecting concrete to drying and carbonation. The temperature (due to the waste thermal output) and drying effects on carbonation have been studied in the past. The data acquired must however be complemented. In this sense, taking into account the water transfers simultaneously to carbonation is essential. On the one hand, because carbonation is a common pathology of reinforced concrete that leads to rebar corrosion. On the other hand, because the durability of reinforced concrete structures is dependent on their water content evolution all along their service life. The assessment of water transport properties in carbonated materials, under unsaturated conditions, is an important issue for Andra in charge of the management of radioactive waste in France.Accelerated carbonation test are performed on four hardened cement pastes (CEM I, CEM III/A, CEM V/A and a Low-pH mix) at 3% CO2 content. The water transport properties of carbonated materials are evaluated using a simplified approach, requiring the knowledge of 3 physical parameters, accessible through experimental way: (i) porosity, (ii) water vapour desorption isotherm and (iii) permeability.The results highlight mineralogical and microstructural changes induced by carbonation: hydrates decomposition and calcium carbonate precipitation (CaCO3) according to various polymorphs. The high decalcification of C-S-H and the polymerisation of silicates chains, leading to the formation of a calcium-enriched silica gel, are found. This results in carbonation shrinkage, responsible of microcracking. On the other hand, the reduction of porosity and specific surface area are observed. The formed carbonates fill the pores, reducing the total porosity. In this sense, the higher the initial portlandite content, the higher the amount of CaCO3 and, consequently, the more the porosity decrease. The structure of the carbonated materials is totally different from the initial state. These changes result into a significant reduction of the water content at the equilibrium and a modification of the isotherms morphology, directly related to the microstructure evolutions. The permeability is found to decrease in the case of Portland cement (CEM I), due to porosity clogging. By contrast, it was found to increase significantly for blended cements (CEM III/A, CEM V/A and Low-pH mix), this is directly attributed to the microcracking effect which is more significant compared to porosity clogging. The initial mineralogy (portlandite and C-S-H contents) therefore plays a determinant role regarding to the carbonation impact on the cementitious materials behaviour. Furthermore, the representativeness of accelerated carbonation compared to natural one was verified. The data set acquired during this work can be extended and, applied confidently under real carbonation conditionsLe futur site de stockage géologique des déchets MAVL français intègre, dans sa conception, des éléments de structure en béton armé (alvéole et conteneurs). Prédire leur durabilité à l'échelle de la phase d'exploitation (environ 100 ans) est décisif. En conditions de service, le système de ventilation assurerait un approvisionnement constant de CO2, soumettant le béton à des phénomènes de séchage et de carbonatation. L'effet de la température (dû à l'exothermie des déchets) et du séchage sur la carbonatation a été évalué par le passé. Les données acquises à ce jour se doivent cependant d'être complétées. Dans ce sens, la prise en compte des transferts hydriques simultanés à la carbonatation est indispensable. D'une part, car la carbonatation est une pathologie courante du béton armé qui mène, à terme, à une corrosion généralisée des armatures. D'autre part, car la durabilité des structures en béton armé est conditionnée par l'évolution de leur état hydrique tout au long de leur période de service. L'évaluation des propriétés de transport d'eau dans les matériaux carbonatés, en milieu insaturé, constitue un enjeu important pour l'Andra chargée de la gestion des déchets radioactifs.Des essais de carbonatation accélérée sont conduits sur quatre pâtes de ciment durci (CEM I, CEM III/A, CEM V/A et un mélange Bas-pH) à une teneur en CO2 de 3%. Les propriétés hydriques des matériaux carbonatés sont évaluées à partir d'une approche simplifiée nécessitant la connaissance de 3 paramètres physiques accessibles par l'expérience : (i) porosité, (ii) isotherme de désorption de la vapeur d'eau et (iii) perméabilité.Les résultats mettent en évidence des modifications minéralogiques et microstructurales majeures engendrées par la carbonatation : décomposition des hydrates et précipitation de carbonate de calcium (CaCO3) selon différents polymorphes. La décalcification forte des C S H et la polymérisation des chaines silicatées, menant à la formation d'un gel de silice enrichi en calcium, sont constatées. La conséquence directe est l'apparition d'un retrait de carbonatation, lui-même à l'origine d'un phénomène de microfissuration. D'autre part, une réduction du volume poreux et de la surface spécifique des matériaux sont observées. Les carbonates formés obturent les pores, réduisant ainsi la porosité totale. Dans ce sens, plus la teneur initiale en portlandite est élevée, plus la quantité de CaCO3 formée est importante et, par conséquent, plus la chute de porosité résultante est marquée. La structure d'un matériau carbonaté n'a alors plus rien à voir avec son état initial. Ces changements se traduisent par une baisse significative de la teneur en eau à l'équilibre et un changement de morphologie des isothermes, en lien direct avec les évolutions microstructurales. Une baisse de la perméabilité est obtenue dans le cas du ciment Portland (CEM I), en raison du large colmatage de la porosité. Par contre, elle augmente dans le cas des ciments avec ajouts (CEM III/A, CEM V/A et Bas-pH), fait directement imputé à l'effet de la microfissuration, qui prédomine devant la chute de porosité. Le cortège minéralogique initial (teneurs en portlandite et C-S-H) joue donc un rôle déterminant vis-à-vis du comportent des matériaux cimentaires face à la carbonatation. La représentativité de la carbonatation accélérée vis-à-vis de la carbonatation naturelle a, par ailleurs, été vérifiée. Le jeu de données récolté au cours de ces travaux peut être étendu et, appliqué avec confiance, en condition de carbonatation réell

Impact of carbonation on water transport properties of cementitious materials

Le futur site de stockage géologique des déchets MAVL français intègre, dans sa conception, des éléments de structure en béton armé (alvéole et conteneurs). Prédire leur durabilité à l'échelle de la phase d'exploitation (environ 100 ans) est décisif. En conditions de service, le système de ventilation assurerait un approvisionnement constant de CO2, soumettant le béton à des phénomènes de séchage et de carbonatation. L'effet de la température (dû à l'exothermie des déchets) et du séchage sur la carbonatation a été évalué par le passé. Les données acquises à ce jour se doivent cependant d'être complétées. Dans ce sens, la prise en compte des transferts hydriques simultanés à la carbonatation est indispensable. D'une part, car la carbonatation est une pathologie courante du béton armé qui mène, à terme, à une corrosion généralisée des armatures. D'autre part, car la durabilité des structures en béton armé est conditionnée par l'évolution de leur état hydrique tout au long de leur période de service. L'évaluation des propriétés de transport d'eau dans les matériaux carbonatés, en milieu insaturé, constitue un enjeu important pour l'Andra chargée de la gestion des déchets radioactifs.Des essais de carbonatation accélérée sont conduits sur quatre pâtes de ciment durci (CEM I, CEM III/A, CEM V/A et un mélange Bas-pH) à une teneur en CO2 de 3%. Les propriétés hydriques des matériaux carbonatés sont évaluées à partir d'une approche simplifiée nécessitant la connaissance de 3 paramètres physiques accessibles par l'expérience : (i) porosité, (ii) isotherme de désorption de la vapeur d'eau et (iii) perméabilité.Les résultats mettent en évidence des modifications minéralogiques et microstructurales majeures engendrées par la carbonatation : décomposition des hydrates et précipitation de carbonate de calcium (CaCO3) selon différents polymorphes. La décalcification forte des C S H et la polymérisation des chaines silicatées, menant à la formation d'un gel de silice enrichi en calcium, sont constatées. La conséquence directe est l'apparition d'un retrait de carbonatation, lui-même à l'origine d'un phénomène de microfissuration. D'autre part, une réduction du volume poreux et de la surface spécifique des matériaux sont observées. Les carbonates formés obturent les pores, réduisant ainsi la porosité totale. Dans ce sens, plus la teneur initiale en portlandite est élevée, plus la quantité de CaCO3 formée est importante et, par conséquent, plus la chute de porosité résultante est marquée. La structure d'un matériau carbonaté n'a alors plus rien à voir avec son état initial. Ces changements se traduisent par une baisse significative de la teneur en eau à l'équilibre et un changement de morphologie des isothermes, en lien direct avec les évolutions microstructurales. Une baisse de la perméabilité est obtenue dans le cas du ciment Portland (CEM I), en raison du large colmatage de la porosité. Par contre, elle augmente dans le cas des ciments avec ajouts (CEM III/A, CEM V/A et Bas-pH), fait directement imputé à l'effet de la microfissuration, qui prédomine devant la chute de porosité. Le cortège minéralogique initial (teneurs en portlandite et C-S-H) joue donc un rôle déterminant vis-à-vis du comportent des matériaux cimentaires face à la carbonatation. La représentativité de la carbonatation accélérée vis-à-vis de la carbonatation naturelle a, par ailleurs, été vérifiée. Le jeu de données récolté au cours de ces travaux peut être étendu et, appliqué avec confiance, en condition de carbonatation réelleThe French design of deep geological repository involves the use of cement-based materials (vault cell and containers). The durability assessment over the operational phase (supply 100 years) is decisive. In operating conditions, a ventilation system would maintain the CO2 partial pressure within the disposal, subjecting concrete to drying and carbonation. The temperature (due to the waste thermal output) and drying effects on carbonation have been studied in the past. The data acquired must however be complemented. In this sense, taking into account the water transfers simultaneously to carbonation is essential. On the one hand, because carbonation is a common pathology of reinforced concrete that leads to rebar corrosion. On the other hand, because the durability of reinforced concrete structures is dependent on their water content evolution all along their service life. The assessment of water transport properties in carbonated materials, under unsaturated conditions, is an important issue for Andra in charge of the management of radioactive waste in France.Accelerated carbonation test are performed on four hardened cement pastes (CEM I, CEM III/A, CEM V/A and a Low-pH mix) at 3% CO2 content. The water transport properties of carbonated materials are evaluated using a simplified approach, requiring the knowledge of 3 physical parameters, accessible through experimental way: (i) porosity, (ii) water vapour desorption isotherm and (iii) permeability.The results highlight mineralogical and microstructural changes induced by carbonation: hydrates decomposition and calcium carbonate precipitation (CaCO3) according to various polymorphs. The high decalcification of C-S-H and the polymerisation of silicates chains, leading to the formation of a calcium-enriched silica gel, are found. This results in carbonation shrinkage, responsible of microcracking. On the other hand, the reduction of porosity and specific surface area are observed. The formed carbonates fill the pores, reducing the total porosity. In this sense, the higher the initial portlandite content, the higher the amount of CaCO3 and, consequently, the more the porosity decrease. The structure of the carbonated materials is totally different from the initial state. These changes result into a significant reduction of the water content at the equilibrium and a modification of the isotherms morphology, directly related to the microstructure evolutions. The permeability is found to decrease in the case of Portland cement (CEM I), due to porosity clogging. By contrast, it was found to increase significantly for blended cements (CEM III/A, CEM V/A and Low-pH mix), this is directly attributed to the microcracking effect which is more significant compared to porosity clogging. The initial mineralogy (portlandite and C-S-H contents) therefore plays a determinant role regarding to the carbonation impact on the cementitious materials behaviour. Furthermore, the representativeness of accelerated carbonation compared to natural one was verified. The data set acquired during this work can be extended and, applied confidently under real carbonation condition

Influence de l'occlusion sur la performance du sportif

RENNES1-BU Santé (352382103) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Spinodal dewetting of thin liquid films at soft interfaces

We study theoretically the behavior of nanoscopic liquid films L (thickness $e$) intercalated between a solid S and a rubber R (elastic modulus $\mu$). Thickness modulations involve a healing length \zeta_\ab{R}, which results from a competition between elastic and disjoining pressure. With van der Waals interactions, \zeta_\ab{R}=e^4/(a^2h_0), where $a$ is a molecular size and $h_0$ the rubber capillary length (h_0=\gamma_\ab{LR}/\mu, \gamma_\ab{LR}=\ab{L/R} interfacial tension). If the Hamaker constant of the intercalated liquid is negative, the film dewets by amplification of peristaltic fluctuations ("spinodal dewetting"). The typical size of the \ab{S/R} contacts is predicted to scale like \zeta_\ab{R} for films of thicknesses $e> \sqrt{h_0a}$. The rise time $\tau$ of the fastest mode, predicted to scale like $\tau\approx e^9$, should be very sensitive to the film thickness

Comparison between natural and accelerated carbonation (3% CO 2 ): Impact on mineralogy, microstructure, water retention and cracking

International audienceThe consequences of accelerated carbonation at 3% CO2 were compared with those of natural carbonation (0.04%). Cement pastes (CEM I and CEM V/A) as well as the three major constitutive phases (C-S-H of different C/S ratios, portlandite and ettringite) were used and changes in the mineralogy, microstructure, water retention and cracking were investigated. The main conclusion was that accelerated carbonation at 3% CO2 was representative of natural carbonation although it promoted the precipitation of metastable calcium carbonate (aragonite and vaterite) in place of calcite. The results also showed that the presence of aragonite and vaterite were characteristic of the carbonation of ettringite and C-S-H respectively

Representativeness of accelerated carbonation testing of cement pastes

International audienceCarbonation is one of the main factors involved in corrosion of reinforced concrete structures. The impact of carbonation on the durability of cementitious-based materials is of major importance. However, carbonation is a very slow process (around 0.04% CO2 in the atmosphere). Accelerated test are then commonly used in the laboratory. The representativeness of accelerated test compared to natural carbonation is then an important issue. In this context, this study focuses on the mineralogical characterisation of ancient and recent cement pastes, respectively submitted to natural (in air) and accelerated carbonation (3% CO2). As a major conclusion, the mineralogical changes assessed using complementary techniques have highlighted a good agreement between natural and accelerated carbonation