Relationship between mechanical properties and porosity of water-resistant gypsum binder

The paper describes an experimental investigation involving pore structure of blended gypsum binder. The pore structure was investigated by using mercury porosimeter. A relationship between structure and mechanical properties has been established. It has been found that the principal factor of porosity governs the development of structure and strength of the blended gypsum binder. The pore size distribution was characterised by a reduction in the volume of the pores whose diameters are larger than 500 A degrees and an increase in the volume of those smaller diameters. An interpretation of the development in strength vis-a-vis porosity of the blended gypsum binder is presented.