Surface energy and mechanical behaviour of hardened cement paste

The Bangham equation indicates a direct proportionality between the length change of a porous body and a change of surface energy. In our experiments surface energy of hardened cement paste has been modified by desorbing or adsorbing water molecules. The internal pressure created by surface energy could be directly determined with the help of Mössbauer experiments. Based on these results it is possible to determine to what extent shrinkage or swelling is caused by a change of surface energy. Using Griffith's criterion our findings can explain quantitatively the decrease of stength as a function of increasing water content. Results are in good agreement with other methods of studying surface energy such as experiments to determine van der Waals forces.