The Effect of Interfacial Transition Zone Properties on the Elastic Properties of Cementitious Nanocomposite Materials

Abstract EN

A parametric study was conducted to explore the effect of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ or interphase) on the overall elastic modulus of the CNT-reinforced cement.

The effect of the ITZ properties on the elastic modulus of the CNT-reinforced cement was investigated using a four-phase axisymmetric model consisting of a single CNT aligned at the center of composite unit cell, an interface, an ITZ (or interphase), and a cement matrix.

The CNT and cement matrix were assumed fully elastic while the interface was modeled using a cohesive surface framework.

The width and mechanical properties of the ITZ and the interface were found to affect significantly the elastic modulus and the behavior of the composite material.