Pore structure controlling the carbonation of a hardened cement matrix blended with mineral admixture

The pore size that controls the rate of carbonation of hardened cement matrix is identified. The rate of carbonation of mortar with and without mineral admixture (pulverized fuel ash (PFA) and ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS)) is shown to depend on the total volume of pores having a radius > 450 Å present in the hardened matrix prior to accelerated carbonation. The greater the volume of pores above the critical radius in the...