Improvement of Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Cementitious Materials in a Hot-Dry Environment

Abstract

The hot-dry environment in high geothermal tunnels negatively affects the development of properties of cementitious materials. In order to improve the mechanical properties of cementitious materials in such environments, a proper curing system was developed, the material compositions were taken into account, and the related mechanism was analyzed by microscopic tests. The results showed that the mechanical properties and microstructure of cementitious materials can be improved effectively by adopting film curing and an adequate dosage of fly ash in a hot-dry environment. Compared with standard curing, a hot-dry environment accelerates the evaporation of water in fresh cementitious materials and the early hydration rate of cementitious materials, resulting in lots of unhydrated cement particles and an uneven distribution of hydration products, seriously decreasing the properties of the cementitious materials. Film curing keeps the water from evaporating and ensures enough water is available for hydration at an early age. The addition of FA reduces the amount of cement clinker and decreases hydration reaction rate in high temperature environments at an early stage, avoiding the unevenness of hydration products. High temperatures stimulate the pozzolanic activity of fly ash and promote the degree of secondary hydration reaction, producing more hydration products, as well as contributing to the improvement of the mechanical properties and microstructure of cementitious materials. In this study, in a hot-dry environment, the mechanical properties of mortar with 25% fly ash and 2–3 d film curing are better than those of other experimental groups, including those of standard curing.