Neutron radiography of cement paste made with light and heavy water

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of using heavy water (D2O, D = deuterium) in cementitious materials as an alternative to conventional water (light water) for improvement in neutron radiography (NR) of cementitious materials. Cement pastes with two different water-to-cement ratios were made using heavy and light water. The macroscopic cross sections of heavy water, light water and ordinary portland cement were measured. Isothermal calorimetry, porosity, and non-evaporable water content were measured. NR measurements were also performed. The measured macroscopic cross section of the cement paste samples compared well with predictions made using a composite model based on Beer’s law.