Lin, Leqing;
Xie, Mingjun;
Wang, Jingbo;
Li, Xu;
Chen, Fuzi;
Wang, Yaocheng;
Xing, Feng;
(2025)
Enhancing carbonation assessment in cementitious materials using X-ray computed tomography: A greyscale calibration approach.
Construction and Building Materials
, 489
, Article 142234. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142234.
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Enhancing Carbonation Assessment in Cementitious Materials Using XCT.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 18 June 2026. Download (1MB) |
Abstract
X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) offers an effective non-destructive technique for evaluating microstructural changes in cement-based materials. However, its application in characterizing durability issues is limited, especially in terms of microstructural alterations induced by carbonation. Furthermore, a direct correlation between phase changes and the greyscale variations has not been investigated using XCT measurements. This study develops a greyscale calibration method to enhance XCT-based carbonation quantification in cementitious materials, improving phase differentiation and segmentation accuracy. Single-phase materials were firstly analysed to establish reference greyscale values for phase identification. XCT analysis of multi-phase materials revealed that material density differences primarily govern greyscale variations, serving as reliable indicators for phase differentiation. Subsequently, XCT was applied to cement pastes with varying calcium carbonate (Cc) contents (0 %, 20 % and 40 %). Results demonstrate that increasing Cc content not only accelerates carbonation but also induces greyscale peak shifts, enabling precise characterization of carbonation progression. These shifts correlate with carbonation depth, allowing spatial mapping of reaction fronts. The proposed greyscale standardization method ensures reproducibility in XCT-based carbonation assessments, offering a standardized, non-destructive approach for evaluating cement durability.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Enhancing carbonation assessment in cementitious materials using X-ray computed tomography: A greyscale calibration approach |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142234 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142234 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Carbonation, CONCRETE, Construction & Building Technology, CORROSION, Engineering, Engineering, Civil, EVOLUTION, Grey-level histogram, HYDRATION, Image analysis, Materials Science, Materials Science, Multidisciplinary, MICRO, MICROSTRUCTURE, MORTAR, NANOINDENTATION, Non-destructive testing, PORE STRUCTURE, Science & Technology, SYNERGISTIC APPLICATION, Technology, X-ray computed tomography |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Civil, Environ and Geomatic Eng |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10214769 |
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