MICROSTRUCTURE DETERMINATION OF CEMENT PASTES BY NMR AND CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES

Applicability of NMR relaxation analysis to the characterization of pore structure in hydrating white cement pastes has been investigated. Measurements of transverse magnetization relaxation were made in specimens saturated and partially filled with water for periods of hydration between 1 and 28 days. The fast diffusion model successfully accounts for all relaxation measurements. The transverse surface relaxation rate was determined. A two-component pore volume size distribution was found. Comparison was made with mercury porosimetry and nitrogen sorption experiments and the results were correlated with compressive strength.