Title:
Influence of Aggregate Surface Area on Mechanical Properties of Mortar
Author(s):
Christine Float Goble and Menashi D. Cohen
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
96
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
657-662
Keywords:
aggregates; silica fume; strain energy methods; strains; stresses.
DOI:
10.14359/791
Date:
11/1/1999
Abstract:
Mortar mixtures containing various aggregate surface areas were tested in compression in an effort to quantify the mechanical effects of the transition zone (between the cement paste and aggregate). Special consideration was taken to establish a testing program, which would generate the complete stress-strain curve, including the strain-softening region. The assumption is made that the transition zone is of constant thickness regardless of aggregate size; therefore, increasing aggregate surface area increases the percentage of the transition zone in the mortar. Mortar strength was found to increase as the quantity of transition zone material was increased. Silica fume (SF) was incorporated into a series of mixtures and found to modify the transition zone and, therefore, the stress-strain behavior of the mortar.