Engineered stucco with expanded perlite filler for shrinkage resistance

利用吸湿性轻骨料长期保持水泥基体系内的相对湿度，有望在水泥基复合材料中通过内部养护实现抗收缩的巨大潜力。这项拟议的研究将检验含有膨胀珍珠岩的轻质灰泥，这些珍珠岩经过特殊设计，具有不同的细胞壁厚度和水分释放率。在受控温湿度试验室中测量收缩的测试将评估灰泥应用中每一层相关的应变。同时，还将检测养护后灰泥的吸水率。这项拟议的研究将详细说明对保温灰泥的尺寸稳定性、流变性、热传输和机械性能的改进。该提案将解决这些轻质复合材料在传统现浇应用中以及在喷射混凝土技术中的使用问题。此外，它还将有助于设计适合于水泥基系统收缩特性的新测试方案。

The use of hygroscopic lightweight aggregates that maintain the relative humidity within cement based systems over time, promises tremendous potential for shrinkage resistance through internal curing in cement-based composites. The proposed study will examine lightweight stucco that contains expanded perlite specially engineered to have a diverse cell wall thickness and moisture release rate. Tests that measure shrinkage in a controlled temperature-humidity chamber will evaluate strains associated with each layer in the application of stucco. At the same time, the water absorption in the cured stucco will also be examined. The proposed study will detail improvements to the dimensional stability, rheology, thermal transport, and mechanical properties of insulating stucco. This proposal will address the use of these lightweight composites in conventional cast-in-place applications, as well as in sprayed concrete technology. In addition, it will help design new test protocols suited for the shrinkage characterization of cement-based systems.