Reconstruction of Tricalcium Silicate Microstructures for Repeating Unit Cell Analysis

Vishnu Saseendran, Namiko Yamamoto, Peter J. Collins, Aleksandra Radlińska, Evan J. Pineda, Brett A. Bednarcyk

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

To realize large-scale habitats in extraterrestrial bodies, cement-like binders may be utilized along with in-situ materials such as lunar regolith. The hydration and morphology of cementitious systems formed in microgravity are not well understood. Previously, the size and morphology of a common cement binder was formed by hydration in the microgravity environment (10-6 or μg) aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Upon return to the ground, their micro-structures, including phase size and distribution, were visually inspected using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in comparison with those of the samples hydrated on the ground in terrestrial gravity (1g). The sample hydrated in the μg environment showed larger porosity and larger calcium hydroxide (CH) crystals; air bubbles are trapped due to the lack of buoyancy, and CH crystals grew to fill in those pores. While the microstructures are well documented, their mechanical characterization has been a challenge due to size limitations and high porosity. Thus, in this study, such mechanical properties will be estimated using micromechanics-based modeling with the NASA Multiscale Analysis Tool (NASMAT). Micromechanics-based modeling requires 3D Repeating Unit Cell (RUCs) when used with highly porous samples. Representative 3D volumes for modeling are being constructed from the backscattered SEM images of the samples, available on NASA’s Physical Sciences Informatics database, using a deep learning-based sub-volume reconstruction. This reconstruction method successfully captured the unique microstructural development (phase composition and morphology) of high water-to-cement ratio tricalcium silicate (C3S) paste, which is the main mineral component of commercial Portland cement. The reconstructed volume was compared with a micro-CT scan of the samples. The reconstructed sub-volumes are then utilized as RUC in the NASMAT code. The workflow presented here can be applied to other multi-phase materials, beyond the space cement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624106996
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
EventAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Jan 23 2023Jan 27 2023

Publication series

NameAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023

Conference

ConferenceAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period1/23/231/27/23

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reconstruction of Tricalcium Silicate Microstructures for Repeating Unit Cell Analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this