Effect of uniaxial compression on the nucleation of micro-damage in cement mortar under sulfate attack is investigated.Shape and size of micro-voids in cement mortar is detected using Micro Computed Tomography techniques.The formation of delayed ettringite crystal is analyzed using scanning electron microscope and energy disperse spectrum methods.Deformation of micro-voids and the distribution of stress at the surface of a micro-void are calculated.It is found that the nucleation of micro-cracks is caused by the tensile stress at the voids' surface,and such damage nucleation will be speeded up by the remote uniaxial compressive load.
