Model for Predicting the Tortuosity of Transport Paths in Cement-Based Materials

The tortuosity of the pore structure is an important factor affecting medium (water and harmful ions) transport in cement-based materials. In this study, a new tortuosity model was established to reveal the effect of aggregate size, morphology, and graded media on the transport path in cement-based materials. Based on the stereological principle and the geometric algorithm, the distribution model of the ideal pebble and polygonal aggregate in cement-based materials was given first. Then, based on the image processing technology and MATLAB software, the morphology of the actual aggregate was also characterized to prove the similarity relationship between the ideal aggregate and actual aggregate. The reliability of the tortuosity model was verified by the mercury intrusion porosimetry test and data from other literature. Based on the tortuosity model, the influences of the aggregate particle shape parameters, hydration degree, and water-to-cement ratio on the tortuosity of the transport path were analyzed. Finally, the tortuosity model was further simplified to facilitate engineering application.