Novel modifications of an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) were made in order to measure the local
deformations in drying cement paste. These nondestructively determined moisture-induced plane strains, obtained in 1
mm thick cement paste samples, are orthotropic. They vary with variations of relative humidity between 70%-80% and
40%-50%, being the highest at 20% RH. Both drying shrinkage and expansion of cement paste microstructure occur in
early-age and mature samples. Microcracking due to moisture gradient could not be avoided, although very thin samples
were examined with gradual reduction of relative humidity in drying steps of 10%. The coefficient of deformation of
cement paste is directly proportional to shrinkage/expansion. It depends on variations of relative humidity during drying
in ESEM and the sample age.
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