Author(s)

J. A. Ortiz-Lozano, J. J. Soto-Bernal, R. Gonzalez-Mota, I. Rosales-Candelas

Abstract

This work presents the results of an experimental study carried out to comprehend the physical, mechanical and microstructural behavior of cement pastes subjected to static magnetic fields while hydrating and setting. The experimental methodology consisted of exposing fresh cement pastes to static magnetic fields at three different magnetic induction strengths: 19.07, 22.22 and 25.37 Gauss. The microstructural characterization makes evident that there are differences in relation to amount and morphology of CSH gel; the amount of CSH is larger and its morphology becomes denser and less porous with higher magnetostatic induction strengths, also shows the evidence of changes in the mineralogical composition of the hydrated cement pastes. The temperature increasing has no negative effects over the cement paste compressive strength since the magnetostatic field affects the process of hydration through a molecular restructuring process, which leads to cement pastes being improved microstructurally, with a reduced porosity and a higher mechanical strength.

Keywords

magnetic fields, Portland cement paste, cement hydration, compressive strength, microstructural characterization