Define the term hydration of cement.

Cement hydration is a series of irreversible chemical reactions between cement and water. The
reaction takes place between the active components of cement (C4AF, C3A, C3S and C2S) and
water. The reaction is exothermic. During hydration, the cement-water paste sets and hardens.

Differentiate between setting and hardening of cement pastes.

Setting is the change of cement paste from fluid to stiff solid state. It is caused by a selective
hydration of C3A and C3S with rises in temperature. The setting characteristics are defined by
initial set, the start of the process with a rapid rise temperature and the false set, which indicates
the peak temperature and the time about which the cement paste has hardened.

Hardening is the gain of strength of a set concrete paste with hydration. Hardening is a process of
crystallization whereby crystals form after a certain length of time and become joined to each
other. Hardening of cement can occur for several months. Hardening is not a drying process and
can very well take place in water.

Increasing the temperature speeds up the setting and hardening of cement, and decreasing the
temperature slows it down and can even completely stop the processes. Setting and hardening
stops as soon as the concrete becomes dry.

Describe the hydration process with reference to products of hydration

The products of the reaction between cement and water are termed "hydration products."

The main constituents of Portland cement are C3S, C2S, C3A and C4AF. When water comes into
contact with the cement compounds, the hydration reaction of these compounds occurs as
follows:

2C3S+6H C3S2H3 + 3CH

The hydration of C3S produces the microcrystalline hydrate C3S2H3 with some lime as
crystalline CH (calcium hydroxide)
2C2S+4H C3S2H3 + CH
C2S, containing less lime, also produces C3S2H3 and CH
C3A +6HC3AH6
The reaction of pure C3A with water is very rapid and leads to flash set. The rate of
reaction of C3A is quicker than that of the calcium silicates.
C4AF+10HC6AFH12

Ettringite formation
 Ettringite is present as rod-like crystals in the early stages of reaction or sometimes as massive
growths filling pores or cracks in mature concrete or mortar. The chemical formula for ettringite
is [Ca3Al(OH)6.12H2O]2.2H2O]

Monosulfate formation

Monosulfate tends to occur in the later stages of hydration, a day or two after mixing. The
chemical formula for monosulfate is C3A.CaSO4.12H2O.

Describe the following phases:

1. Pre-induction period
When the cement comes in contact with water, some of the
clinker sulphates and gypsum dissolve producing an alkaline,
sulfate-rich, solution.

Soon after mixing, the C3A reacts with the water to form an
aluminate-rich gel (Stage I on the heat evolution curve). The gel
reacts with sulfate in solution to form small rod-like crystals of
ettringite. (C3A) reaction is with water is strongly exothermic but
does not last long, typically only a few minutes.

2. Dormant (induction ) period

Dormant (induction) period is a period of a few hours of relatively

low heat evolution. While the C-A-S -H gel controls aluminate
reactions, the concrete is cool, plastic, and workable. During this
dormant period, the silicates (alite and belite) slowly dissolve,
releasing calcium ions in solution.

3. Acceleration stage
At the end of the dormant period, the alite and belite in the cement start to
react, with the formation of calcium silicate
hydrate and calcium hydroxide. This corresponds
to the main period of hydration (Stage III), during
which time concrete strengths increase.

4. Post acceleration stage

After more than 48 hours Calcium silicate hydrate
reacts with the ettringite to form monosulfates.
The individual grains react from the surface
inwards, and the anhydrous particles become
smaller. (C3A) hydration also continues, as
fresh crystals become accessible to water.

Define the terms porosity and water to cement ratio

porosity
Porosity is the degree to which volume of the material is interspersed with pores. It is expressed
as a ratio of the volume of pores to that of the specimen.
Porosity is indicative of other major properties of material, such as bulk density, heat
conductivity, durability, etc. Dense materials, which have low porosity, are used for constructions
requiring high mechanical strength on other hand; walls of buildings are commonly built of
materials, featuring considerable porosity.

Porosity depends on the mineral constituents, cooling time and structural formation.

Water to cement ratio

Water to cement ratio is the water used to the quantum of cement in the mixture by weight. The
water to cement ratio is the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of cement used in a
concrete mix. A low water to cement ratio increases the strength and durability of the concrete
produced. For proper workability the water to cement ratio varies from 0.40.6. However,
maximum strength of concrete is derived at water to cement ratio is equal to 0.4.

The water to cement ratio determines the porosity of the hardened cement paste at any stage of
hydration.

After hydration starts define the different nomenclature for water present in the cement
paste

About an average 23 per cent (24 per cent C3S, 21 per cent C2S) of water by weight of cement is
required for complete hydration of Portland cement. Water combined physically or chemically
with the products of hydration is called combined water. Some quantity of water, about 15 per
cent by weight of cement, is required to fill the cement gel pores and is known as gel water.

Draw graphs and clearly explain:

 1. Strength development of a cement paste with reference to C2S, C3S, C3A and C4AF
with time

C2S and C3S are the most important compound contributing towards the strength of hydrated
cement paste. C3S is mostly responsible for strength development during the first four weeks.
C2S influences the strength at a later stage. After about one year both compound contribute
almost equally to the strength of the hydrated cement. C3A liberates a large amount of heat
during first few days and contributes slightly to early strength development. C4AF contributes
little to strength development.

2. Heat of hydration with reference to C2S, C3S, C3A and C4AF with time

The heat of hydration is defined as the quantity of heat per gram of unhydrated cement, evolved
upon complete hydration at a given temperature. The heat of hydration is affected by the
chemical composition of cement. Cements with higher contents of tricalcium silicate and
tricalcium aluminate, as well as a higher fineness, have higher rates of heat generation than other
cements. Reducing the quantity of C3A and C3S reduces the heat of hydration.
Differentiate between gel pores and capillary pores

Gel pores are interconnected interstitial spaces between the gel particles. The gel pores occupy
about 28% of the total volume of gel. Gel pores are much smaller in size than capillary pores
with Size normally between 0.5 and 2.5 nm and have little impact on strength and permeability.

Capillary pores represent that part of the gross volume which has not been filled by the products
of hydration.

Total volume of gel pores increases along with the volume of gel as the hydration proceeds.
However, the volume of capillary pores decreases with the progress of hydration.