Microscopic point measuring: a quantitative petrographic method of determining the Ca(OH)2 content of the cement paste of concrete

Abstract

Summary Studies of deteriorated concrete have led to the development of a new quantitative petrographic method of investigation, which has been called the “point measuring” method. In this, the Ca(OH)2 content of the cement paste is measured at a number of points in thin sections by means of a polarizing microscope fitted with-a micrometer eye-piece. The main advantage of this method over the “traditional” methods is that it provides information on both the average value of the Ca(OH)2 content and its variation in the paste.