A Test System to Simulate the Influence of Early Age Cycling on the Properties of Grout Material

摘要

Grouted joint connections for offshore wind turbines are alreadyrnsubjected to dynamic loadings during the manufacturingrnprocess. It is conceivable that these loads lead to some effectsrnwhich have a negative influence to the hardening concrete,rnmortar or cement paste, including sedimentation andrnsegregation. It is possible that the aggregates in the groutrnsediment and segregate due to the movement of the connections.rnAnother effect which can occur is structural damages in therncement paste matrix of the hardening grout material during thernhydration process. On top of that, plastic deformations mightrnoccur due to the loadings, thereby creating cavities around thernshear keys.rnA test apparatus was developed, that enables the simulation ofrnthe influences of early age cycling effects on the properties ofrngrouting materials.