Evaluation of the Spatial Distribution of Aggregate Particles in Concrete and its Implications for the Existence of Interfacial Transition Zones
Source abstract
Abstract
The spatial distribution of aggregate particles was evaluated using conventional stereological procedures and point process statistical analysis for two-dimensional concrete sections. First, the influence of the image resolution on evaluation results was assessed, and the representative volume element and the image resolution necessary for accurate measurements were determined. Next, the interparticle spacing and paste–aggregate proximity were characterized using the mean free distance and spherical contact distribution function of the aggregate particles. These distances were discussed in relation to the likelihood of the presence and connectivity of interfacial transition zones (ITZs) formed in the vicinity of the aggregate particles. The size of the representative volume element used for evaluating the interaggregate distance was approximately comparable to the maximum aggregate size when the image file size was fixed. The common feature of the aggregate distribution was a random mixture of small aggregate particles and slightly smaller cement grains. The random mixture naturally produced clustered and sparse regions simultaneously comprising small aggregates and cement grains. The characteristic spatial structure derived from the actual distribution of aggregates differed considerably from that generally assumed for ITZs and their percolation. The method employed in this study provides the actual interaggregate distance and suggests the presence of porous regions throughout the cement paste matrix, and not just in the ITZs.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Structural mechanics and materials · Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Geosciences and Civil Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
References (35)
Show source-provided references
1. 1) Aitcin, P.-C. (1998). High performance concrete. London: E&FN Spon.10.4324/9780203475034 ↗
2. 2) ASTM C457. (1998). Standard test method for microscopical determination of parameters of the air-void systems in hardened concrete (ASTM C 457-98). West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania: ASTM International.
3. 3) ASTM C856. (2014). Standard practice for petrographic examination of hardened concrete (ASTM C856-14). West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania: ASTM International.
4. 4) Baddeley, A., Rubak, E., & Turner, R. (2016). Spatial point patterns: Methodology and application with R. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.10.1201/b19708 ↗
5. 5) Bentur, A. (1998). 2nd International RILEM conference on the interfacial transition zone in cementitious composites (RILEM bulletin). Materials and Structures, 31, 575-576.10.1007/BF02481541 ↗
6. 6) Chen, Q., Zhang, J., Wang, Z., Zhao, T., & Wang, Z. (2024). A review of the interfacial transition zones in concrete: Identification, physical characteristics, and mechanical properties. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 300, 109979.10.1016/j.engfracmech.2024.109979 ↗
7. 7) Diamond, S. (2003). Percolation due to overlapping ITZs in laboratory mortars? A microstructural evaluation. Cement and Concrete Research, 33(7), 949-955.10.1016/S0008-8846(02)00996-1 ↗
8. 8) El Berdai, Y., Taha, Y., Safhi, A. M., Trauchessec, R., Hakkou, R., & Benzaazoua, M. (2025). How does coarse aggregate type influence mechanical properties of high-strength concrete? ACI Materials Journal, 122(3), 79-87.10.14359/51746716 ↗
9. 9) Ferreira, T., & Rasband, W. (2012). Image J user guide [online]. Bethesda, Maryland, National Institute of Health. Available from: < https://imagej.net/ij/docs/guide >.
10. 10) FHWA. (2004). Petrographic methods of examining hardened concrete: A petrographic manual (Report No. FHWA-HRT-04-150). Charlottesville, Virginia: Virginia Transportation Research Council, US Federal Highway Administration.
11. 11) Jacobsen, S., & Arntsen, B. (2008). Aggregate packing and void saturation in mortar and concrete proportioning. Materials and Structures, 41, 703-716.10.1617/s11527-007-9275-4 ↗
12. 12) JSA. (2020). Crushed stone and manufactured sand for concrete (JIS A 5005:2020). Tokyo: Japanese Standards Association.
13. 13) Kanit, T., Forest, S., Galliet, I., Mounoury, V., & Jeulin, D. (2003). Determination of the size of the representative volume element for random composites: Statistical and numerical approach. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 40(13-14), 3647-3679.10.1016/S0020-7683(03)00143-4 ↗
14. 14) Katz, A., Bentur, A., Alexander, M., & Arliguie, G. (1998). Interfacial transition zone in cementitious composites. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.
15. 15) Li, K., Stroeven, M., Stroeven, P., & Sluys, L. (2017). Effects of technological parameters on permeability estimation of partially saturated cement paste by a DEM approach. Cement and Concrete Composites, 84, 222-231.10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2017.09.013 ↗
16. 16) Maruyama, I., & Sugimoto, S. (2025). Impact of aggregate physical properties on the compressive strength of concrete. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 23(5), 223-243.10.3151/jact.23.223 ↗
17. 17) Mehta, P. K., & Monteiro, P. G. M. (2006). Concrete: Structure, properties, and methods. (2nd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
18. 18) Murotani, T., Igarashi, S., & Koto, H. (2019). Distribution analysis and modeling of air voids in concrete as spatial point process. Cement and Concrete Research, 115, 124-132.10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.10.008 ↗
19. 19) Neville, A. M. (1995). Properties of concrete. (4th ed.). Harlow, Essex: Addison-Wesley Longman Ltd.
20. 20) Neville, A. M. (2003). Neville on concrete: An examination of issues in concrete practice. Farmington Hills, Michigan: American Concrete Institute.
21. 21) Nokken, M. R., & Hooton, R. D. (2008). Using pore parameters to estimate permeability or conductivity of concrete. Materials and Structures, 41, 1-16.10.1617/s11527-006-9212-y ↗
22. 22) Olliver, J. P., Maso, J. C., & Bourdette, B. (1995). Interfacial transition zone in concrete. Advanced Cement Based Materials, 2(2), 30-38.10.1016/1065-7355(95)90037-3 ↗
23. 23) Pan, Z., Ma, R., & Chen, A. (2022). A study on ITZ percolation threshold of air-entrained mortar: Numerical simulation and analytical model. Construction and Building Materials, 322, 126358.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126358 ↗
24. 24) Princigallo, A., Breugel, K., & Levita, G. (2003). Influence of the aggregate on the electrical conductivity of Portland cement concretes. Cement and Concrete Research, 33(11), 1755-1763.10.1016/S0008-8846(03)00166-2 ↗
25. 25) Rangaraju, P. R., Olek, J., & Diamond, S. (2010). An investigation into the influence of inter-aggregate spacing and the extent of the ITZ on properties of Portland cement concretes. Cement and Concrete Research, 40, 1601-1608.10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.07.002 ↗
26. 26) Reinhardt, H. W., & Wüstholz, T. (2006). About the influence of the content and composition of the aggregates on the rheological behavior of self-compacting concrete. Materials and Structures, 39, 683-693.10.1617/s11527-006-9102-3 ↗
27. 27) Sakano, K., & Igarashi, S. (2024). Probability of ITZ percolation inferred by surface density and spatial distribution of polydisperse aggregate particles in concrete. Cement Science and Concrete Technology, 78, 203-211. (in Japanese).10.14250/cement.78.203 ↗
28. 28) Scrivener, K. L., & Nemati, K. (1996). The percolation of pore space in the cement paste/aggregate interfacial zone of concrete. Cement and Concrete Research, 26(1), 35-40.10.1016/0008-8846(95)00185-9 ↗
29. 29) Scrivener, K. L., Crumbie, A. K., & Laugesen, P. (2004). The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between cement paste and aggregate in concrete. Interface Science, 12, 411-421.10.1023/B:INTS.0000042339.92990.4c ↗
30. 30) Shen, W., Wu, M., Zhang, B., Xu, G., Cai, J., Xiong, X., & Zhao, D. (2021). Coarse aggregate effectiveness in concrete: Quantitative models study on paste thickness, mortar thickness and compressive strength. Construction and Building Materials, 289, 123171.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123171 ↗
31. 31) Snyder, K., Natesaiyer, K., & Hover, K. (2001). The stereological and statistical properties of entrained air voids in concrete: A mathematical basis for air void system characterization. In: S. Mindess & J. Skalny (Eds.). Materials Science of Concrete VI. Westerville, Ohio: American Ceramic Society, 129-214.
32. 32) Sokhansefat, G., Ley, M. T., Cook, M. D., Alturki, R., & Moradian, M. (2019). Investigation of concrete workability through characterization of aggregate gradation in hardened concrete using X-ray computed tomography. Cement and Concrete Composites, 98, 150-161.10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.02.008 ↗
33. 33) Stoyan, D., & Stoyan, H. (1994). Fractals, random shapes and point fields. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
34. 34) Underwood, E. E. (1969). Quantitative stereology. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
35. 35) Winslow, D. N., Cohen, M., Bentz, D. P., Snyder, K. A., & Garboczi, E. J. (1994). Percolation and pore structure in mortars and concrete. Cement and Concrete Research, 24(1), 25-37.10.1016/0008-8846(94)90079-5 ↗