The Freeze-Thaw Strength Evolution of Fiber-Reinforced Cement Mortar Based on NMR and Fractal Theory: Considering Porosity and Pore Distribution

Abstract

Predicting the strength evolution of fiber-reinforced cement mortar under freeze-thaw cycles plays an important role in engineering stability evaluation. In this study, the microscopic pore distribution characteristics of fiber-reinforced cement mortar were obtained by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. The change trend of T2 spectrum curve and porosity cumulative distribution curve showed that the freeze-thaw resistance of cement mortar increased first and then decreased with the fiber content. The optimal fiber content was approximately 0.5%. By conducting mechanical experiments, it is found that the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the samples exhibited the ‘upward convex’ evolution trends with freeze-thaw cycles due to cement hydration, and based on fractal theory, the negative correlation between UCS and Dmin was established. Eventually, a freeze-thaw strength prediction model considering both porosity and pore distribution was proposed, which could accurately predict the strength deterioration law of cement-based materials under freeze-thaw conditions.