Sorption and Transport in Cementitious Materials for Durability

Concrete is the foundation of modern infrastructure, but its long-term survival depends entirely on how it interacts with moisture and external chemicals. Understanding how fluids penetrate cementitious matrices is key to preventing premature structural failure. This text-based course guides you through the fundamental transport mechanisms—such as sorption, diffusion, and permeability—that govern the durability of cementitious materials. You will learn how to analyze pore structures, evaluate degradation risks, and apply this knowledge to design more resilient concrete mixtures, including modern sustainable binders. What you'll learn: - Understand the core terminology of pore networks, moisture states, and transport phenomena in cement paste - Analyze the mechanisms of water absorption (sorption) and capillary action in cementitious matrices - Evaluate diffusion and permeation processes that allow aggressive agents like chlorides and sulfates to penetrate concrete - Explore modern sustainable cement alternatives, including supplementary cementitious materials, and their impact on transport properties - Link transport mechanisms to real-world degradation processes like carbonation, reinforcement corrosion, and freeze-thaw damage - Practice evaluating durability using standard testing methodologies and transport-property indicators The course begins with foundational definitions of cement hydration and microstructural pore development before moving into detailed written analyses of liquid and gas transport. You will then explore practical durability design and modern sustainable materials through clear, step-by-step text explanations and analytical exercises. This course is designed for civil engineering students, material scientists, and construction professionals new to cement chemistry and concrete durability. No prior advanced chemistry knowledge is required. Start reading today to master the science of concrete durability and design structures built to last.