Statistical modeling of the geometrical structure of the system of artificial air pores in autoclaved aerated concrete

The geometrical structure of the system of artificial air pores in autoclaved concrete is studied, based on samples from laboratory and industry. The single pores are approximated by spheres, the corresponding radius distribution is determined by means of stereological methods. The resulting distribution is not a classical standard distribution, but instead requires a mixture of three components, one of them Gaussian. The pore system as a whole is approximated by the penetrable-concentric-shell or "cherry-pit" model, which consists of spheres that are partially penetrable. The corresponding hard cores form a random packing of hard spheres. The goodness-of-fit of the model is tested by means of information available from planar sections: the section profile radius distribution and the pair correlation function of profile centers. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.