Explore how computer simulations reveal how cement-based materials form their microstructure and properties.
This education module combines computer software with a detailed guide to show how microstructure evolves, how porosity is measured, and how percolation concepts apply to cement systems.
The package includes PC-based, interactive software and this technical note, designed for undergraduate and graduate courses in civil engineering and materials science. The programs run in two dimensions to fit within a personal computer environment, and they emphasize graphics and visualization to help students build intuition about microstructure, hydration, and transport processes.
What you’ll experience
- Hands-on computer models that simulate cement hydration, mercury porosimetry, and percolation of complex particle shapes.
- Interactive exercises that let you vary particle size, shape, and arrangement to see effects on connectivity and porosity.
- Classroom-ready materials, with instructions, sample exercises, and feedback from users to guide learning.
- Access to both DOS- and Macintosh-compatible versions of the software for flexible use in teaching labs.
Ideal for readers who are students or instructors in civil engineering or materials science, looking to explore how microstructure governs the performance of cement-based materials.