Structure–texture correlation in ultra-high-performance concrete: A nuclear magnetic resonance study

The pore size distribution in three reactive powder concrete formulations has been studied by nuclear magnetic relaxation of protons. Confirming the discrete and fractal features of the distribution for this kind of concrete, each formulation is assessed a surface fractal dimension, which reveals the hierarchy of pores. The experimental results evidence a dependence between this dimension and both the filling ratio of cement grains and the reactivity of silica fume. 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) allows us to draw a relationship between the amount of calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) and this surface fractal dimension.