1. Define hydration of cement.
Cement hydration is the process in which dry cement powder is mixed with water
resulting in thin cement slurry which is workable and is casted into different shape. In
time, the slurry would set and would develop strength through a series of hydration
reaction.
2. Differentiate between setting and hardening of cement paste.
Setting Hardening
Setting begins to occur after the concrete Hardening is the stage when the mixture
is mixed with water. Then, the cement in gains strength. The hydration of water is
the concrete begins to stiffen. So, the what begins the hardening process.
concrete starts to change from liquid
form to solid form.
3. Describe the hydration process with reference to products of
hydration.
Ettringite(C6AS3H32) is yielded when aluminate(C 3A) reacts with gypsum at the
beginning of hydration of cement. Monosulfate is a product of the reaction of C 3A,
C6AS3H32 and water. Calcium silicate hydrate(C-S-H) and calcium hydroxide(C-H)
are also formed by the reaction of calcium alite(C 3S) and calcium belite(C2S) with
water.
4. Describe the following phase:
i. Pre-induction period
In the pre-induction period, the aluminium phases react with the water to form
an amorphous gel at the surface of the cement rings which in turn reacts with
gypsum to form short rods of ettringite. The reaction is with water is strongly
exothermic but it does not last long, typically only a few minutes.
ii. Dormant period(Induction period)
During the dormant period, the cement hydration slows down and the paste
becomes too stiff to be workable.
iii. Acceleration stage
The acceleration stage occurs when about 30% of the cement reacts to form
calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate(C-S-H). The rate of formation
in this reaction increases during this stage. Setting begins at the end of this
period.
iv. Post-acceleration stage
Hydration slowly continues to harden the solid cement until the reaction is
completed. The inner C-S-H continues to grow near the C 3S surface and the
rate depends on the diffusion rate of water or ions to the anhydrous surface.
This period is called the post-acceleration stage.
5. Define the term porosity and water to cement ratio.
Porosity is a measure of the “empty” spaces in a material and is a ratio of the pore
volume to the total volume of the material.
The water to cement ratio is the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of cement
used in the concrete mix and it has an important influence on the quality of the
concrete produced.
6. Differentiate between gel pores and capillary pores.
Gel pores Capillary pores
Gel pores are the interconnecting voids Capillary pores are part of the total
between the gel particles. volume that has not been filled by the
products of hydration reaction.
7. After hydration starts, define the different nomenclature for water
present in the cement paste.
In the paste, the water molecules that are held by the surface forces of the gel particles
are called absorbed water and water that is held between the surfaces of certain planes
in a crystal are called interlayer or zeolitic water. Also, lattice water is that part of
water of crystallization which is not chemically associated with the principal
constituents of the lattice. Free water is held in capillaries and is beyond the range of
the surface forces of the solid phase.
8. Draw graph and clearly explain:
i. Strength development of the cement paste with reference to C 2S, C3S, C3A,
C4AF with time.
C3A and C4AF contribute to very little strength. C 3S is responsible for strength
development for the first 2-3 weeks. C2S contributes to long-term strength.
ii. Heat of hydration of the cement with reference to C 2S, C3S, C3A, C4AF with
time.
At the beginning of the hydration, C 3A reacts with water which is highly
exothermic (207cal/g). There is also the hydration of C4AF which is similar to
that of C3A but the hydration is much slower and is less exothermic
(100cal/g). Then, there is the hydration of C 3S and C2S which is 120cal/g and
62cal/g respectively. Hence, the overall heat of hydration of the cement is
exothermic.
