An exploratory experimental and 3D numerical investigation on the effect of porosity on wave propagation in cement paste

•The relationship between porosity in cement paste and stress wave parameters were studied.•3D models of cement paste specimens were built with X-ray computed tomography scanning method.•Test and numerical results share similar decreasing trend of amplitude and velocity with porosity.•This study provides a method in 3D numerical study of stress wave propagation in cement paste.