Changes in weight and dimensions in the drying and carbonation of Portland cement mortars

Abstract

Summary Small specimens of mortar and paste were cured for 28 days and then subjected to various conditions of drying and carbonation. In general the extent of carbonation, for a given CO 2 concentration, depends upon permeability, moisture content and time, but the extent of carbonation shrinkage and ultimate volume stability depend on the compressibility of the aggregate, the water/cement ratio, the maturity of the paste, the drying environment and rate, and on the sequence of drying and carbonation. Some of the practical implications of these results are noted.