Fractal evolution model of proton spatial distribution in low water/binder cement-based composites (LW/B-CC) during early-age hydration process

This study establishes the fractal evolution model of proton spatial distribution in low water/binder cement-based composites (LW/B-CC) based on fractal theory and low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF NMR) technology. The results show that the fractal evolution process of gel water, capillary water and surface water distributions in LW/B-CC presents three stages: the first 4–6 h after the beginning of hydration, 4–6 h to 12 h, and 12 h to long-term stage. In the first and second stages, the fractal dimensions of gel and capillary water increase linearly with hydration time, while the fractal dimension of surface water decreases linearly. The boundary is a sudden change of fractal dimensions after about 4–6 h of hydration. The third stage starts after about 12 h of hydration, at which time the fractal dimensions begin to converge to fixed values. Besides, this study reveals the mathematical relationship between fractal dimension (Df) and particle size distribution modulus (q), which is conducive to achieve the full-cycle regulation of LW/B-CC.