Investigations on the process of autoclaving ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)

Concrete technology results more and more in the development of materiale with enhanced properties, such as high strength, higher durability and increased ecological compatibility. One exceptional example is Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC). Its advantages are very high compressive strength and an improved durability, caused by their dense micro structure. Curing under water vapor Saturation pressure (autoclaving) can improve these properties by affecting the micro structure and better the mechanical properties of UHPC. Autoclaving leads to an enhanced cement hydration and accelerated reaction rate of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) and mineral additions, Used at the production of aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC) and sand-lime bricks, the process of autoclaving is well known, especially in highly porous Systems. One well known requirement to autoclave effectively is a porosity of at least 10%. There is no sufficient heat transfer and also not enough water available if the porosity is lower, Nevertheless, autoclaving also works in the dense structure of UHPC with porosities lower than 2%, as former investigations have shown. There is only a visible difference between the outer parts of the samples compared to their core. Investigations on the chemistry, the micro structure as well as the mechanical properties where performed to find an explanation to this effect and to explain the functionality of autoclaving UHPC in spite of the low porosity.