Relationship between chloride diffusivity and pore structure of hardened cement paste

Based on effective media theory, a predictive model, relating chloride diffusivity to the capillary pores, gel pores, tortuosity factor, and pore size distribution of hardened cement, is proposed. To verify the proposed model, the diffusion coefficient of chloride ions, the degree of hydration, and peak radius of capillary pores of cement paste specimens were measured. The predicted results for chloride diffusivity were compared with published data. The results showed that the predicted chloride diffusivity of hardened cement paste was in good agreement with the experimental results. The effect of the evolution of pore structures in cement paste on chloride diffusivity could be deduced simultaneously using the proposed model.