SEM training at WHD Microanalysis

The first half of this week I had the opportunity of visiting Aldeburgh (see above) and Woodbridge, UK; working place of Nick B Winter of WHD Microanalysis Consultants. For two days, Dr. Oguzhan Copuroglu and myself could talk to Nick, an expert on SEM microanalysis, and engage in great discussions regarding the possibilities of SEM for concrete and cementitious materials. Nick is an expert on this field with more than 30 years of experience; he even had the opportunity of working with Hal Taylor, known author of Cement Chemistry book. On top of that, Nick owns a SEM (see below) which is probably one of the best to have fun with. Turning knobs and clicking buttons does make a difference when learning this stuff. He was so kind to let me use it for a while and do some EDS analysis. Hopefully our collaboration will continue in the future.

New simulation results

Rapid chloride migration (RCM) tests are often used to characterize the resistance of concrete to chloride ion ingress. In the framework of the lattice model, this test can be simulated using a characteristic Galerkin approach. Although the mesh needed for the simulation is very fine (0.25 mm voxel size), this approach can be used to successfully simulate the RCM test in heterogeneous (meso-scale) concrete. To date, the only simulation of the ionic migration with the heterogeneous material structure (known to us) was published by Liu et al (2012) {Multi-phase modelling of ionic transport in concrete when subjected to an externally applied electric field, Engineering Structures 42, pp. 201-213}. We will therefore continue with this approach. Check out the video!

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

The year has come to an end. It was full of great experiences, exciting results, new destinations and fruitful discussions. For the next year, the M3C4 team has many things to do. First, ESEM training in UK; conference in Toledo, Spain; microscopy conference in Chicago, US; and more. The first set of publications might come to light in this 2013, so fingers crossed.
The M3C4 wishes all lots of health, successful research and exciting adventures.
Until next time,