Water-entrained cement-based materials

This paper describes a new concept for the prevention of self-desiccation in hardening cement-based materials. The concept consists of using fine, superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles as a concrete admixture. This leads to water entrainment, i.e. the formation of water-filled macropore inclusions in the fresh concrete. Consequently, the pore structure is actively designed to control self-desiccation. In the paper, self-desiccation and water entrainment are described and discussed. The description is based on a reinterpretation of Powers' model for the phase distribution of a hydrating cement paste. The paper forms the first part of a series. In the second part, experimental observations will be presented.